- 1. Continue to consider and adopt ways of saving energy. For example:
- Instead of using your car, walk when possible.
- Adjust your thermostat and the temperature in your water heater so as not to use any more energy than absolutely necessary.
- The next time you stop briefly at a convenience store, do not leave your car engine idling.
- Use reusable bags when shopping at the supermarket.
- Use the most energy-efficient appliances you can afford.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only.
- Turn off energy strips and surge protectors when not in use for long periods of time.
- Use energy-saving light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs in your home or place of business.
- 2. Instead of checking your email or social media accounts on your smartphone, the next time you are waiting in line, engage in conversation with other people.
- 3. Ask your family and friends to turn off their mobile phones when they are visiting you or joining you in an outing; voluntarily adopt the same practice yourself and make a point of telling those who will benefit from having your whole attention.
- 4. Power off your mobile phone - handheld or not - whenever you are driving.
- 5. Are you and your family open to considering ways that you might simplify your lives – for the purpose of your own spiritual growth and the protection of God’s creation?
- You can commit to eating less meat,
- reducing the number of toxic chemicals you use,
- or other actions steps.
For more suggestions - download file to the right |
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Thank you! St Francis of Assisi Fraternity for sharing. | Rights, Responsibilities and Options for the Poor and Vulnerable A short slide presentation that can be used in your fraternity. Download file to the left. |
1. Attend your community’s planning board meetings to find out what environmental factors are considered with respect to proposed development. As you get familiar with the process, ask questions, give your opinions, and inform your neighbours of what you have learned.
2. Discuss with your neighbours what conditions have a negative effect on the ecosystem in which you live: speeding traffic, aircraft noise, odors, litter, unkempt spaces. Find a consensus on the most important of these conditions and plan a course of action to address it.
3. Research opportunities in your area in which you and your neighbours can collectively purchase clean energy generated (such as energy generated from wind mills).
4. Support your local farming community by joining a CSA. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a way for consumers to buy local, seasonal produce directly from a farmer in their community. A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Customers purchase a share (or subscription or membership) at the beginning of the season, and each week they receive a box or bag of fresh produce.
5. Take the St. Francis Pledge: http://www.catholiclimatecovenant.org/pledge
Extract from March Newsletter.