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an environmental toolkit for churches Module 13 Climate change A Rocha Eco-congregation is an ecumenical program to help churches make the link between environmental issues and their Christian faith and respond in practical action in the church and wider community. Eco-congregation (USA) is a project of A Rocha USA, a 501(c) organization A Rocha USA, PO Box 1338, Fredericksburg TX 78624 800.522.5319 / [email protected] / www.arocha-usa.org Module 13 – climate change Page 2 of 26 Contents Why congregations should be concerned about climate change ..................................... 3 What’s the evidence? .................................................................................................. 4 What are the likely consequences? ............................................................................. 7 We all contribute to global warming ............................................................................. 9 Reflections .................................................................................................................... 10 What the Church can do to help – not hinder............................................................. 12 Abandon the Culture Wars! ....................................................................................... 12 Pray for and seek Wisdom! ....................................................................................... 12 From the Global Day of Prayer for Creation Care, 2012 ............................................ 13 It’s Time to Pray!...................................................................................................... 13 Prayer for the poor and suffering ............................................................................... 14 Prayer for the Body of Christ ..................................................................................... 14 How do we measure our church buildings’ carbon footprint? ......................................... 15 Step one: work out the carbon footprint of your church buildings ............................... 15 Step two: commit to reducing this by five per cent a year .......................................... 15 Heating and air-conditioning .................................................................................. 16 Lighting .................................................................................................................. 17 Other energy-saving suggestions .......................................................................... 18 Advice and support .................................................................................................... 18 Choose renewable electricity ................................................................................. 18 Engage the whole congregation ................................................................................ 19 Seek advice on how to take action ............................................................................ 19 Real-life experiences and testimonies ........................................................................... 20 Vineyard Church of the Rockies ................................................................................ 20 Flagstaff Federated Community Church .................................................................... 20 What next? Taking action in your home......................................................................... 21 What is the carbon footprint of the energy you use in your home? ............................ 21 How can you reduce energy use at home?................................................................ 21 What about travel? .................................................................................................... 22 Shopping ................................................................................................................... 23 Helping others to reduce their carbon footprint .......................................................... 24 Joining other congregations ...................................................................................... 24 Further information ........................................................................................................ 24 Theology and spirituality ............................................................................................ 24 Practical action .......................................................................................................... 25 Science of climate change ......................................................................................... 25 Campaigning ............................................................................................................. 26 About A Rocha Eco-congregation ................................................................................. 26 © A Rocha USA 2012 Feedback on Eco-Congregation (USA) is encouraged. We have attempted to credit photographs and quotes correctly. We apologize if we have not given credit appropriately; please write to us to amend any errors. Module 13 – climate change Page 3 of 26 Why congregations should be concerned about climate change Care for creation is at the heart of the Eco-Congregation movement. “The earth is the Lord’s” declares the psalmist (Psalm24:1). It is God’s creation, not ours to do with as we please. In the Biblical creation stories God subordinates rule over creation to humans to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:26-28) - but in doing so God lays on us human beings the responsibility for how we manage the earth and every living creature – and for which we will have to give account. This expresses the now familiar notion of stewardship or trusteeship (Genesis2:15). We are also called to be partners with the rest of creation and co-partners in the ongoing creative and renewing activity of God. In caring for what God has created, we care for ourselves, because in God’s providence and wisdom, our flourishing is dependent on the flourishing of creation. To care for what God has created is therefore also to care for each other, and especially for the poor and vulnerable. “When our land is submerging slowly but visibly, any ideological debate on ecological issues are only a luxury of the privileged communities.” Rev Tafue Molu Lusama Pacific Eklasia Kelisiano Tuvalu As we have come to understand that through our deeds we are changing the climate, so we have come to realise that our care for creation has been deeply flawed. Climate change represents a failure in our stewardship of the earth and its implications for people and for life on earth are profound. For Christians responding to climate change is no longer an option but a spiritual and moral necessity. Will we be like the people who, as Jesus said, "were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark" (Luke 17:27), destroying ourselves because we are too selfish or fearful to face reality? In the twenty first century climate change will change lives. Eco-congregations have to be concerned about the impact this will have around the world and have to take steps to respond. Module 13 – climate change Page 4 of 26 What’s the evidence? A variety of different observations have led the vast majority of climate scientists to conclude that we are undergoing global warming, caused by the release of carbon into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels - carbon dioxide, from oil, coal and gas; ‘carbon black’ from burning oil, diesel and coal. The evidence is as follows: 1. “Global-average CO2 concentrations have been observed to increase from levels of around 280 parts per million (ppm) in the mid-19th century to around 388 ppm by the end of 2009. CO2 concentrations can be measured in “ancient air” trapped in bubbles in ice, deep below the surface in Antarctica and Greenland; these show that present-day concentrations are higher than any that have been observed in the past 800,000 years, when CO2 varied between about 180 and 300 ppm. Various lines of evidence point strongly to human activity being the main reason for the recent increase, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) with smaller contributions from land-use changes and cement manufacture. … about half of the CO2 emitted by human activity since the industrial revolution has remained in the atmosphere. The remainder has been taken up by the oceans, soils and plants although the exact amount going to each of these individually is less well known. Rising levels of CO2 in the Module 13 – climate change Page 5 of 26 atmosphere enhance the atmosphere’s greenhouse effect and will lead to rising atmospheric temperatures.” http://royalsociety.org/policy/publications/2010/climate-change-summaryscience/ 2. Average temperatures have risen across the lower 48 states since 1901, with an increased rate of warming over the past 30 years. (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators/pdfs/CI-summary.pdf) a. Seven of the top 10 warmest years on record for the lower 48 states have occurred since 1990, and the last 10 five-year periods have been the warmest five-year periods on record. b. Average global temperatures show a similar trend, and 2000–2009 was the warmest decade on record worldwide c. There are three independent centers that measure global-average temperature each month; all have recorded the same trend over the last 150 years (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/how ). d. A fourth study (‘the Berkeley Earth Project’) published results in 2012 that almost exactly matched these three (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15373071): Module 13 – climate change Page 6 of 26 (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators/pdfs/CI-oceans.pdf) 3. Part of the Arctic Ocean stays frozen year-round. The area covered by ice is typically smallest in September, after the summer melting season. September 2007 had the least ice of any year on record, followed by 2008 and 2009. The extent of Arctic sea ice in 2009 was 24 percent below the 1979 to 2000 historical average. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators/pdfs/CI-summary.pdf Module 13 – climate change Page 7 of 26 http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/how 4. Changes in rainfall: generally, wet places are becoming wetter and dry areas are becoming drier. However, there are also changes between seasons in different regions. For example, rainfall in the UK during summer is decreasing, while in winter it is increasing. 5. Changes in nature: a. Spring is starting earlier and there is a delayed onset of autumn/winter. b. Butterflies are appearing earlier in the year c. Plants are flowering earlier (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/how ) What are the likely consequences? The report to the UN Conference on Climate Change in 2007 predicts by the end of the century: the disappearance of Arctic sea ice, shrinkage of Antarctic sea ice and contraction of snow cover elsewhere an increase in frequency of heat waves and heavy rainfall a likely increase in tropical cyclone intensity Module 13 – climate change Page 8 of 26 a likely decrease in rainfall in subtropical areas such as the Mediterranean or southern Africa.1 The consequences of this could be appalling. Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh in November 2007 killing thousands and Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August 2005. Heat waves of the kind experienced in Europe in 2003 could become much more regular. The southwest of the United States, already regularly suffering drought, will experience drier weather still (causing yet more depletion of the Colorado River). In Africa up to 250 million people may experience water shortages and agricultural production could be severely affected. In Asia the large and heavily populated river deltas, for example in Bangladesh and Vietnam, will be at increased risk of flooding. Melting ice will contribute to the rise in sea levels, which by 2100 may locally be up to one meter higher than in 2000. It also poses a major threat to other species and habitats. Between 20% and 30% of plant and animal species may be at risk of extinction if temperatures changes exceed 2.5 degrees Celsius and there would be major changes in habitats and the geographical ranges of species. For example, summer melting of the Arctic ice cap would dramatically change the habitat of polar bears and other arctic mammals. There are concerns that large areas of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most diverse habitats on earth would be put at serious risk; and highland mountain habitats of rare species will shrink to nothingness. The effects on agriculture will be similarly dramatic and agrarian communities around the world put at risk. 1 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report summary for Policy Makers. See http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf Module 13 – climate change Page 9 of 26 BBC News, 16 July 2012 We all contribute to global warming You and other members of your congregation contribute to climate change in many ways: heating buildings; travelling; using electrical appliances such as freezers or televisions. And almost everything you buy has a carbon footprint: food, clothes and the consumer goods that fill supermarkets shelves. Processed goods embody the energy used in their production and delivery: this is called embodied energy. All this contributes to your carbon footprint yet few congregations know the carbon footprint of their church buildings, their homes or their travel. For most people one of the largest contributions to climate change is in their direct use of energy: monitoring, managing and reducing energy consumption is an important practical action congregations can take to reduce their carbon footprint. The rest of this module shows you how we can all tackle this problem. Module 13 – climate change Page 10 of 26 Reflections “Although Catholics may not think of climate stabilization as a pro-life issue, it is increasingly clear that protecting the sanctity of life entails not only working to end abortion and the death penalty but also acting to conserve the earth’s climate and biosphere” ‘Climate for Change’ by Elizabeth Groppe, America Magazine, March 26 th, 2012 “Each organism and ecosystem is ordered to life according to limits specific to its nature; as kin to all creatures, Franciscans recognize the human imperative to respect and work within these limits for the flourishing of the community of life….[and] stand in solidarity with those living in poverty who suffer most from pollution, environmental degradation, and changes in climate; Franciscans also extend care and concern to other creatures with whom we live and on whom we depend…” http://www.franciscanaction.org/news/exec/Franciscans%20Welcome%20Carbon%20P olution%20Standard “As people of faith, we are convinced that "the earth is the Lord's and all it holds" (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found "very good." We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God's creation. “At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God's creation and the one human family. It is about protecting both "the human environment" and the natural environment. It is about our human stewardship of God's creation and our responsibility to those who come after us. “As Catholic bishops, we seek to offer a distinctively religious and moral perspective to what is necessarily a complicated scientific, economic, and political discussion. Ethical questions lie at the heart of the challenges facing us. John Paul II insists, "We face a fundamental question which can be described as both ethical and ecological. How can accelerated development be prevented from turning against man? How can one prevent disasters that destroy the environment and threaten all forms of life, and how can the negative consequences that have already occurred be remedied?" ‘Global Climate Change – a plea for dialogue, prudence and the common good’, A Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001 http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/globalclimate-change-a-plea-for-dialogue-prudence-and-the-common-good.cfm Module 13 – climate change Page 11 of 26 He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people, and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.’ (Psalm 72:2-4) “God is just and requires justice in response from us. This justice applies to poor communities already suffering the devastating consequences of climate change, to future generations, and to all other creatures. The prophets put economic behavior at the forefront of their call to justice. The primary driver of human induced climate change is the belief that prosperity depends on limitless consumption of the earth’s resources. Today, the challenge is to seek a different, sustainable economy, based on the values of human flourishing and the well-being of all creation, not on the assumption of unlimited economic growth, on overconsumption, exploitative interest and debt. “To seek justice for all, for present and future generations, our authorities must encourage and enable all people to live fairly and sustainably. Acting justly requires us to hold our governments and corporations to account.” – Operation Noah. Ash Wednesday Declaration, 2012 http://www.operationnoah.org/ “In effect, past emissions from developed countries have created a temperature platform upon which humanity is building towards highly dangerous temperature levels that will lead to thresholds better left uncrossed. Those who have done the least to create our current situation, the poor in developing countries, are the most vulnerable to the impact of global warming……The simple fact is that we [in the United States] didn’t know we were helping to create this problem. But now we do. Now we know the facts. A fairminded person, when presented with such facts, would say, “I’ll help to clean up the mess I inadvertently made”. And Christians especially, when presented with a case like this, will recognize that we have an even greater moral calling to ensure that the ‘least of these’ (Mt 25) are helped, not hurt by our actions” Jim Ball, in Global Warming and the Risen Lord, pages 54 – 55. “As Christians we believe that all creation is the gift of a loving and caring God, a God who charged us to be stewards of that gift. This means that we have an obligation to seek what is beneficial to the earth and oppose what is harmful. The wholesale destruction of the planet caused by our runaway production of greenhouse gases falls fully into this latter category. Furthermore, we also believe in a God who loved the world and its people so deeply that he sent his only Son to save us and to reconcile the heaven and the earth with the blood of His cross. As disciples of Christ, we have been called to continue Christ’s saving mission, showing our special concern for the poor and powerless of the Earth; that is, the Module 13 – climate change Page 12 of 26 people who will be disproportionately affected by global climate change. To fail to act with urgency and decisiveness is to forsake not only our responsibility to the planet, but our responsibility to be brothers and sisters to all people. As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, we believe that the world is charged with the presence of God. When St. Francis needed time alone to pray and be with his savior he went to the wild places of Italy, especially Mount La Verna. He understood that we cannot love and honor God without loving and honoring all that the Lord has created. Francis also believed that ours is a faith that must be lived and acted on. To preach the Gospel is first and foremost to live it, only then will our words and exhortations have real meaning. “ - Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM What the Church can do to help – not hinder Abandon the Culture Wars! o The culture wars do not help us work together for the common good. Those concerned about global warming are viewed by the culture warriors as "environmental wackos"; those not convinced are viewed as cultural Neanderthals. Each side tends to hold other in contempt. o We don't make God proud by being culture warriors or taking cues from culture warriors, who make their living off spoils of culture war. Let's stop aping their contempt toward the other side! o Jesus put us on a short leash in the contempt department. In the Sermon on the Mount, he reserves his sternest warning for those who show others contempt (see Mt. 5:21-22). Shame on us every time we treat our fellows with contempt, thereby making it harder for us to work for common solutions together! Pray for and seek Wisdom! o Let's pray for wisdom: for ourselves, elected officials, business leaders--anyone who has to wrestle with these issues. o Compared to climate change, the problem of ozone depletion involved a simple fix. The climate change issue is amazingly complex, with no simple fix in sight. We need mega wisdom from on high and mega love to cooperate across cultural, religious, political and national boundaries. o Blessed are the peacemakers! Let's be among them--part of the solution, not part of the problem! For that we must ask Prince of Peace to calm any war in our hearts, soften them by power of love… Module 13 – climate change Page 13 of 26 o Perhaps this is time for those who believe that God is Love, to add a little love to the cultural equation. From the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan http://annarborvineyard.org/ministries/justice-a-compassion/green-vineyardenvironmental-stewardship/a-faith-based-approach-to-climate-change From the Global Day of Prayer for Creation Care, 2012 http://prayerforcreationcare.org It’s Time to Pray! o o o o o For the renewal of the church For our work to be founded on true hope For a movement of Christians to engage and champion climate change Hearts of compassion to help those experiencing the greatest impacts today For our political process We are presented with a unique opportunity to tackle climate change and environmental degradation: o …like that which was presented to the Clapham Group during the age and time of William Wilberforce o …like that which was presented to the abolitionists of the 19th century o …like that which was presented to South Africans only a generation ago Module 13 – climate change Page 14 of 26 o …like that which was presented to Christians on infanticide in the early Roman Empire period Prayer for the poor and suffering We pray for… o … orphans, widows and the peoples of the world who are facing shortages of food, water, clean air, shelter, energy and medicine, that you would provide for them in their needs. o … the countries of Indonesia, Bangladesh, Tuvalu, the Maldives, and other island and coastal nations who face the prospects of needing to move in response to rising sea levels. o … those experiencing global warming, climate change and severe weather, that the developed industrial peoples of the earth might be awakened to reduce rampant consumption and toxic emissions, that those facing climate calamities might be delivered and sustained. o … church leaders and the body of Christ in every land, that your Holy Spirit would move the hearts of your people toward lifestyles of conservation, acts of compassion and deeds of mercy. Prayer for the Body of Christ o We repent and ask forgiveness for the Church, that it missed your prophetic call to biblical ecology, conservation and creation care for more than a generation; awaken us now to wisdom and action. o We pray for unity in the Church in the U.S. and around the world, that the prayers of Jesus in John 17 be answered and realized in our day; help each of us and all Christians practice love in diversity. o We pray for Revival and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that kingdom peacemakers be called who humbly hold to unity in the body of Christ in their hearts, minds and ministries. o We take a personal posture and pray against divisiveness, envy, pride, deceit, personal ambition, contempt, anger, slander, covetousness, and immoral and reckless folly in the body of Christ. o We pray for all kingdom efforts toward unity, that our lives and deeds will help release redemption to all peoples, and will bring honor and glory to our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Module 13 – climate change Page 15 of 26 How do we measure our church buildings’ carbon footprint? Working out your direct emissions is the easiest way to start and the largest portion of this probably comes from heating and lighting of buildings. We strongly suggest that, as a congregation, you begin by working out how much energy you use in your church buildings. This is easier than it sounds. You can do it by using your gas or electricity bills, or even better, by reading your own electricity meter and, if you have one, your gas meter. This will get you started and while it’s only part of your carbon footprint, once you have done this together you will be in a strong position to work out the carbon footprint of your homes and travel and begin to take action to reduce your footprint. What is the typical church’s carbon footprint? No two churches are the same, either in size or use through the week, so there is no ’typical‘ carbon footprint. Carbon footprints of churches range from three tons a year for a small rural church in use once a week…. to over 200 tons for a large urban church in use all week. The carbon footprint of a church building depends on the size of the church; the way it is used, and the type and age of the heating system. …and whether some of the remedial measures described below have been put in place! Step one: work out the carbon footprint of your church buildings There are various excellent online calculators. We would suggest you consult one of the following. http://coolcongregations.org/calculator/ http://smeasure.org/ Step two: commit to reducing this by five per cent a year Following the lead of the Iona Community we propose that you try to reduce your footprint by 5 per cent a year. This gives your congregation a simple and realistic target to aim at. Working out the footprint of your church buildings is the first step in the process, rather than an end in itself – it provides a baseline against which your church, and members of your congregation, can measure changes in the future. Module 13 – climate change Page 16 of 26 Here are some fairly straightforward suggestions on how to start. Heating and air-conditioning Tune up your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system before heating and cooling seasons with an annual maintenance contract. Like a new car, even an Energy Star qualified system will decline in performance without regular maintenance. A yearly maintenance contract costs about $100-$150 depending on the building and HVAC system, but will usually pay for itself in direct utility savings - and your system can even last years longer. A contract automatically ensures that your HVAC contractor will schedule pre-season tuneups, in case you forget or are busy. Change HVAC filters (or clean if reusable) every month during peak cooling or heating season. New filters are very inexpensive, and dirty filters cost more to use, overwork the equipment, and result in poorer indoor air quality. A programmable thermostat can optimize the operation of your HVAC system. Control direct sun through windows depending on the season and local climate. o During cooling season, block direct heat gain from the sun shining through glass on the east and especially west sides of the building. Depending on your facility, options such as “solar screen,” “solar film,” awnings, and vines can help. o Shade trees (deciduous trees) can attractively shade the building, and offer wildlife interest, especially if native to your region (consult http://wildflower.org/collections/ for recommended species). Because they lose their leaves in the winter, these trees will allow the windows to act as passive solar devices in the wintertime. Module 13 – climate change Page 17 of 26 Use fans. Comfort is a function of temperature, humidity, and air movement. Moving air can make a somewhat higher temperature and/or humidity feel comfortable. Consider installing solar voltaic panels to generate electricity. Place solarabsorbing panels on the roof(s) for hot water and reduction of heat build-up within the building. Lighting Things you can do immediately: Turn off lights (and other equipment) when not in use. High utility costs often include paying for energy that is completely wasted. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), wherever appropriate. CFLs cost about 75% less to operate, and last about 10 times longer. Place neatly printed ‘switch-off’ signs by lights. Consider adding a slogan, e.g. “Helping St. Jude’s care for God’s creation” Make full use of natural light by keeping windows clean – and adjust lighting to your needs: o Use free “daylighting.” This means turn off or dim your lights when daylight is adequate, or use automatic “daylight-dimming” ballasts/controls to do this for you. o To prevent glare, eyestrain, and headaches, do not “over-light.” Too much light can be as bad for visual quality as too little light—and it costs a lot more. Module 13 – climate change Page 18 of 26 When upgrading facilities: Consider fitting ‘occupancy sensors’ that turn lights on if movement is detected and off after a period of no movement Consider upgrading to T-8 (1" diameter) fluorescent lamp tubes with solid-state electronic ballasts that are more efficient than older T-12 (1.5" diameter) tubes with magnetic ballasts. Install brighter, safer light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs. ‘Energy Star’ qualified exit signs can dramatically reduce maintenance by eliminating lamp replacement for about 10 years, and they use 5 watts or less compared to 40 watts in a typical exit sign. Seek professional advice! Other energy-saving suggestions Reduce the number of days when heating or air-conditioning are switched on Many church premises, particularly halls and ancillary rooms, are used at different times by a variety of groups throughout the week. A church which heats the premises on Tuesday for a coffee morning, on Wednesday for an afternoon playgroup and on Thursday for an evening meeting is likely to use more heat than a church that combines the three bookings into one day. Use of smart thermostats can be invaluable here. Arrange bookings to maximize use of residual heat Some activities require less heat than other activities. A church which heats a hall for a sedentary afternoon activity might find that there is sufficient residual heat remaining to provide background heat for a later booking involving physical activity, such as an evening badminton club, without actually needing to extend the heating period. Advice and support Choose renewable electricity Green electricity is electricity produced from renewable energy sources, as opposed to from our finite fossil fuel reserves. It is environmentally desirable because the fuel source is renewable, and avoids the production of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates and mercury (coal and oil) as well as carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas (oil, coal and gas). Module 13 – climate change Page 19 of 26 Traditionally the main source of green electricity has been hydroelectricity but in recent years wind installations have increased. Solar power is also entering the mix. When you switch electricity provider to one that sells renewable electricity, nothing changes in terms of how the electricity gets into the church, and how you are billed. However, you are purchasing ‘green’ electricity and making an enormous difference in terms of pollution and your carbon footprint. How do I find providers of renewable electricity in my state? See http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying/buying_power.shtml and http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/. For incentives to ‘go green’, visit http://www.dsireusa.org/ Remember – no electricity is totally ‘green’, that is, entirely pollution-free or ‘creationfriendly’. Wind turbines kill birds and bats… and solar panels use rare elements mined from the earth. Conservation is always the greenest option. Engage the whole congregation Energy management is not just the responsibility of the property manager: it is everybody’s responsibility. Put up a notice in a prominent place to show the church’s carbon footprint and the latest monthly meter readings. Ensure this information is a regular item on the agenda of any relevant committee. Set yourself a challenge of reducing this each year by five per cent. Seek advice on how to take action Some aspects of energy management seem obvious: turn off lights when you don’t need them and don’t waste heat by leaving doors open. We know that heating/airconditioning (depending on which state you live in!) is likely to be the biggest part of your carbon footprint so this is probably the area you should pay greatest attention to. The Environmental Protection Agency has some excellent resources: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=congregations_guidebook.congregations_guide book_green Module 13 – climate change Page 20 of 26 Real-life experiences and testimonies Vineyard Church of the Rockies The Vineyard Church of the Rockies (VOTR) is enrolled in a stewardship program from the city of Fort Collins where the church is located. It is a voluntary program called Climatewise in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see more at http://www.fcgov.com/climatewise/ ). This program has 4 levels (i.e. bronze, silver, gold, and platinum). We have achieved platinum level in 2012. We are the only church in the city that has achieved this highest level, and we achieved this level all on a voluntary basis! Paulo Brito, Vineyard Church of the Rockies, Fort Collins, CO 80524 http://www.vineyardotr.org Flagstaff Federated Community Church ‘Several projects to make the church facility more energy efficient have been led by Christians for the Earth, such as switching to CFLs, installing programmable thermostats, replacing exotic plants with native ones, installing a bike rack and building cupboards for ceramic coffee mugs. …and in 2012 we went solar! We installed 132 panels to cover 96% of our energy use, and reduce our carbon footprint by 2 million pounds.’ Sherry Golden, Christians for the Earth, Flagstaff Federated Community Church, Flagstaff, Arizona, http://www.flagstafffederatedchurch.org/ Module 13 – climate change Page 21 of 26 What next? Taking action in your home Reducing the carbon footprint of your church buildings is just the beginning. Energy used in a large church could have carbon footprint of 100 tons but each household in the congregation may well have a carbon footprint of over ten tones. On this basis a congregation of just 100 people would have at least ten times the carbon footprint of the church buildings; so the collective footprint of a congregation will almost always be far larger than the footprint of their church buildings. Together a congregation can make a big difference by reducing energy use at home; in its travel and in its shopping. What is the carbon footprint of the energy you use in your home? There are various on-line calculators. The Environmental Protection Agency has a fairly sophisticated one: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html And here is a more succinct one, more oriented towards carbon offsets: http://calc.zerofootprint.net/one_minute/personal/ This site ties carbon footprint calculations with tree-planting in Africa to ‘offset’ your consumption: http://www.climatestewards.net/ How can you reduce energy use at home? These ‘green living’ tips are taken from Nancy Sleeth’s “Go green, save green” (ISBN 978-1-4143-2698-6) 1. Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees. 2. Do laundry in cold water. You will save a substantial amount of money and the gas/oil you don’t burn means less pollution. The vast majority of clothes will clean just fine in cold water. 3. Experiment with reducing the settings of your refrigerator and freezer. We don’t need our fresh celery deep-frozen in their salad drawers, and our frozen meat, if it’s frozen…is frozen enough. Module 13 – climate change Page 22 of 26 4. Turn off lights, televisions and music players/hi-fi when you leave a room. Switch off all the vampire devices whose stand-by lights suck up energy needlessly (the so-called ‘phantom load’ – see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power ) . And do you really need that internet router always on? Even when you’re asleep? 5. Hang clothes out to dry if at all possible. It really is akin to laziness to run a power-hungry clothes drier if you have a clothesline and sunshine. As you peg out the clothes, take the opportunity to thank God for his creation! 6. Shower for a few minutes less than you’re used to. 7. Lower your heating and cooling costs: use drapes and blinds to block out the sun (in summer) and keep in the heat (in winter). 8. Research 100% renewable electricity – see above 9. Some low-cost, high payback home improvements: a. A programmable thermostat to give you exquisite control, hour by hour, of your heating and cooling. b. Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air/cool air and better equilibrate the temperature. c. Replace what incandescent light bulbs you can with CFLs. Fitting lowenergy light bulbs requires an initial capital outlay, but can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% and the bulbs can last up to 10 times longer, saving both money and the need to change bulbs frequently d. Plant shade trees – deciduous trees that shade the house in summer….let the sunlight warm your house in winter… and bring beauty and wildlife to your garden. http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/What-You-CanDo.pdf offers a plethora of excellent suggestions for households and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. Choose EnergyStar appliances when you purchase anew: http://www.energystar.gov/. These will consume less electricity – saving you money and reducing pollution. What about travel? Another large component in your carbon footprint is likely to be travel, particularly if you drive a car. Every gallon of petrol or diesel used in a car engine contributes about ten pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere. Module 13 – climate change Page 23 of 26 For tips on how to have a ‘greener’ car -http://www.carcare.org/go-green/steps-to-agreener-car/ - and of course, if you can, public transportation, or biking for short distances, are even better environmental options. Car travel is the largest source of transport related carbon dioxide emissions in the USA, but other sources are also important, particularly air travel. Again, visit http://www.climatestewards.net/ to help with calculating your footprint and allowing you to compensate by helping plant trees in Africa – good for the environment, good for the local people. Shopping Producing, processing and transporting food may be responsible for up to a third of your carbon footprint, yet about a third of the food we buy is thrown away. . How do you manage your food shopping? The clothes you wear will have an impact on your carbon footprint - not only in in laundering it, but in where it was made and how much energy it therefore took to get it to your local store (http://planetgreen.discovery.com/gamesquizzes/clothing-carbon-footprint-quiz/) . What About Recycling, composting and other initiatives? Many eco-congregations have developed recycling initiatives. Recycling makes a vital contribution to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and can make a contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, composting and making more efficient use of water all have environmental benefits and can help reduce your carbon footprint. There is more detail of these activities in Eco-Congregation Module 7 Greening the Cornerstone. Recycling, composting and reducing water use are all important and helpful things to do, and have wider environmental benefits, but their impact on carbon emissions is much smaller than direct use of energy in heating, lighting and travel, which is why we are urging congregations now to move on to measure , manage and reduce their energy use as a priority. Module 13 – climate change Page 24 of 26 Helping others to reduce their carbon footprint Reducing carbon emissions in our lives is essential, but it is also important to help others do the same elsewhere. International agreements have identified the need to support sustainable development projects in developing countries to enable others to address poverty without becoming dependent on carbon fuels. Part of the solution is to find and implement clean energy solutions that also generate wealth. Mercy Corps, for example has developed the Cool Carbon Initiative to reduce poverty, generate jobs, and improve livelihoods while decreasing carbon emissions. Mercy corps invites congregations to join the initiative. For further information see: www.mercycorps.org/topics/environment Joining other congregations As well as A Rocha’s Eco-Congregation initiative, there are other networks which work to motivate and encourage congregations and parishes to do their bit for God’s creation: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/the-st-francis-pledge/ http://coolcongregations.org/ http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-carecongregations/ Further information Theology and spirituality A Moral Climate: The Ethics of Climate Change by Michael Northcott (Darton, Longman and Todd, 2007; ISBN 978-0232526684) Global Warming and the Risen Lord by Jim Ball. Evangelical Environmental Network, 2010; ISBN 978-0982930014 Hell and High Water: Climate Change, Hope and the Human Condition by Alastair McIntosh (Birlinn, 2008, ISBN 978-1841586229 Module 13 – climate change Page 25 of 26 Practical action US Environmental Protection Agency has numerous excellent resources specifically for church buildings http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/small_business/congregations_guidebook/Con g_guide_Greencongregation.pdf US Department Of Energy web site has a multitude of tips and useful information on saving energy in all aspects of your life: http://www.energysavers.gov/ Invaluable hints and resources are to be found on the EarthCare, Inc. web site: www.earthcareonline.org A Rocha is a Christian nature conservation organization active in many countries around the world: www.arocha.org/int-en/index.html There are many ‘carbon offset’ projects. This one, associated with A Rocha, allows you to compensate for your carbon footprint by planting trees in Africa: www.climatestewards.net The US Catholic Bishops’ youth-oriented program is very detailed and full of great suggestions: o Friending Planet Earth: Helping Youth Understand Solidarity & Sustainability in Light of Climate Change: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Friending-Planet-Earth.-Catholic-YouthClimate-Change-Program.pdf Science of climate change Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for detailed and authoritative review reports on the causes and consequences of climate change: www.ipcc.ch/ o Met Office for detailed and well presented information including an introduction to the science : http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/ Module 13 – climate change Page 26 of 26 Royal Society guide to the evidence: http://royalsociety.org/policy/climatechange/ Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/, with detail at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators/pdfs/ClimateIndicators_full.pdf A skeptical view of climate change skeptics: http://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php This is a web site that deals with the scientific and practical aspects of tackling climate change: http://www.operationnoah.org/ Campaigning o Evangelical Environmental Network: http://creationcare.org/ o Catholic Climate Covenant: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/ o St. Francis Pledge: http://www.franciscanaction.org/pledge About A Rocha Eco-congregation A Rocha Eco-congregation is an ecumenical program to help churches make the link between environmental issues and their Christian faith - and respond in practical action in the church and wider community. It is run in churches in Britain and Ireland, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere, and provides free resources, support and an Award Program to help churches to consider Eco-congregation (USA) is a project of A Rocha USA, a 501(c) organization. A Rocha (www.arocha.org) is a Christian nature conservation organization operating in over nineteen countries, our name coming from the Portuguese for “the Rock,” as the first initiative was a field study centre in Portugal. A Rocha projects are frequently crosscultural in character, and share a community emphasis, with a focus on science and research, practical conservation and environmental education. A Rocha USA, PO Box 1338, Fredericksburg TX 78624 800.522.5319 / [email protected] / www.arocha-usa.org