Offer opportunities for members to discuss the climate crisis(jump to Education) and other environmental issues, and why it matters to people of faith.
Invite those with inspirational experiences to offer testimonies during worship service or begin worship with a First Announcement to recognize those taking steps to promote sustainability.
Begin conversations with members and leaders about divestment of church funds from fossil fuel exploration and extraction and other environment-sensitive investments.
Learn where and how the climate emergency is impacting your community and region and its intersection with economic, racial and social justice.
Schedule a building energy audit with your utility. Dive into collecting data to track your baseline energy use. Document actions by recording participation, results and possible revisions or next steps. Take pictures.
Organize intergenerational environmental programs, such as trail/beach clean-up and hikes in your area.
Organize a carbon-reduction Sunday to walk/bike/carpool or take public transportation to church.
Encourage individuals/households to assess their personal carbon footprint, contact their utility to schedule an energy audit of their home and promote household participation in renewable electricity, composting and organic gardening programs.
Caulk and weatherize around doors and windows to plug air leaks. Use curtains and blinds to utilize natural lighting and help regulate temperature.
Shift to Fair Trade and sustainably sourced or local products as well as compostable or reusable options for coffee hour and church functions. When plastic table coverings wear out, replace with cloth.
Replace incandescent bulbs and halogen lamps with LED bulbs.
Insulate pipes, water heater and warm air heating ducts.
Install bike racks at church.
Install low flow faucet aerators.
Compost church waste; encourage home composting.
Collect rainwater in rain barrels for outdoor watering.
Design and distribute reusable shopping bags with church logo or make a free bag bin to recycle extra bags.
Publicize the congregation’s involvement in environmental priorities through outdoor banners/signs, letters to the editor, social media posts and information on your website.
Support programs advocating the conservation ofbiodiversity and the protection of all animal and plant species. Learn more here.