Earth
Day Resources
Created in 1983, the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches provides an opportunity for the national bodies of member Protestant and Orthodox denominations to work together to protect and restore God's Creation.
Act
Now! Advocacy Actions to Protect God's Gift of Air.
Join
other people of faith to urge President Bush to abandon his "Clear
Skies" initiative. Under this proposed plan, reductions of sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury that were expected under the current
Clean Air Act would be delayed for years, despite the proven negative
health impacts of these substances among the poor, elderly, and very young.
It also fails to set mandatory standards of reduction of carbon emissions.
Click
here to take action now!
Ideas
for Action. Congregations
and individual people of faith have the opportunity to put their faith
into action to protect our precious air resources and to give glory to
God's creation. Reduce your energy use both at home and in the office,
use energy efficient transportation such as fuel efficient cars, and use
less toxic substances when purchasing items such as carpeting and paint
for home and office use. Since our energy use is a major contributor to
both local air pollution and global warming, reducing our consumption
and choosing cleaner, greener alternatives will help protect God's precious
air resources.
1. Drive smart
and drive less: use a fuel efficient car or an alternative method of transortantion
such as public transit, walking, or biking.
2. Conserve energy: turn off the lights and use compact flourescent lights, adjust your thermostat, and investigate using “green” energy options such as solar or wind power.
3. Encourage your local, state, and federal public officials to support and use renewable sources of energy and provide attractive public transportation options.
4. To join the Interfaith Climate Change Network, a network of individuals of faith and religious organizations who are helping to protect God’s precious gift of air, visit www.protectingcreation.org.
If
you have innovative ways your congregation incorporates creation stewardship
into the ongoing life of your church, please let us know. We would love
to share those ideas with others. Send your photos, liturgies, sermons,
and action ideas to:
Cassandra Carmichael
Director of Eco-Justice Programs
National Council of Churches, 110
Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002
e-mail: cassandra@toad.net
