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Try a Carbon Fast

For a printable version, click here!

What Can WE Do to promote ecological justice for the earth?

Reduce Carbon Emissions by:

The 25-day plan below lists simple energy-saving actions that can lead towards a lighter carbon footprint, including snubbing plastic bags, giving the dishwasher a day off, insulating the hot-water tank and checking the house for drafts. Participants are asked to begin the carbon fast by removing one light bulb from a prominent place in the home and live without it for 25 days, as a constant visual reminder during Advent of the need to cut energy. On the final day of the fast, people are encouraged to replace the missing bulb with an energy-saving bulb.

Jones said: "Traditionally people have given up things for Lent. This year we are inviting people to join us in a carbon fast during Advent. It is the poor who are already suffering the effects of climate change. To carry on regardless of their plight is to fly in the face of Christian teaching. "The tragedy is that those with the power to do something about it are least affected, whilst those who are most affected are powerless to bring about change," he added. "There's a moral imperative on those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon to rein in our consumption."

Figures from Tearfund, which is helping communities cope with the impacts of climate change around the world, highlight the contrast between carbon emissions in the developed and developing world. A total of 9.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted per person each year in the UK, compared with in 0.067 tons in Ethiopia and 0.24 in Bangladesh.

Tadesse Dadi, a Tearfund worker in Ethiopia, said millions were already being affected: "Climate change may not yet be a problem for people in Europe, but here in Ethiopia its effects are being felt today by millions of ordinary men and women farmers. These poor communities, who have contributed least to climate change, are suffering the most from its effects."

There has been a rising chorus on climate change from churches in recent years. The Church of England has already committed itself to reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 through its Shrinking the Footprint initiative. Chartres, Bishop of London has previously said that Christians have a moral duty to save the planet. In 2006 he pledged not to fly for a year, saying that "making selfish choices such as flying on holiday or buying a large car" were a "symptom of sin".

Last year, the Vatican also hosted a conference on climate change, where Pope Benedict urged bishops, scientists and politicians to "respect creation" while "focusing on the needs of sustainable development".

For more reasons why - check out the website below on google.
www.truth-out.org/market-lying-why-we-must-tax-carbon-not-subsi...

The full list of pledges for the carbon fast:

Day 1: Remove one light bulb and live without it for the next 25 days. Switch off lights as you leave the room. Replace your missing bulb with an energy-saving light bulb. Over its lifetime, you will save 60kg of carbon dioxide per year and up to $120.

Day 2:Are you recycling everything possible? Really – everything? Look into it today.

Day 3: Tread lightly – whether that's by foot, by bike, on to a bus or on the gas as you drive. Find a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions when you travel today. Pressure a car owner to check their tire pressures. Low tire pressure means high fuel consumption.

Day 4: Embrace-a-Silent Sunday. Turn off everything. No TV, no radio, no ring tones, no cars. It'll be good for the soul. Make a personal pledge to serve others by pursuing a more sustainable way of life.

Day 5: Tell the Mailing Preference Service that you want to stop junk mail.

Day 6: Turn your central heating thermostat down by one degree.

Day 7: Say au revoir to standby’s. Check that all electrical equipment is switched off when not in use. The TV alone will save a hefty 20kg of carbon dioxide per year. Unplug your mobile phone charger: it uses electricity even when it's not charging.

Day 8: Replace old electrical appliances with energy-efficient models. They could save a third of the energy. Make sure your fridge/freezer is running efficiently. Give your dishwasher a day off or promote it to a Grade A energy efficient appliance.

Day 9: Cut the air miles. Get married in Canada. Don’t fly unless you have to. Don't consume any food that you know has been imported by plane (apart from Fair trade products).

Day 10: Use local shops or farmers' markets instead of driving to out-of-town shopping malls. They will thank you; supermarkets won't notice your absence.

Day 11: Can you talk about your Carbon Fast at church today? Encourage others to join in.

Day 12: Tell politicians to take action on climate change today.

Day 13: Put the heat on SaskPower, SaskEnergy and ask them if they have a green plan. Make the switch and feel cozy.

Day 14: Take a shower instead of a bath: you'll heat less water.

Day 15: Snub (i.e. treat with disdain) plastic bags. Get into the habit of taking your rucksack to the supermarket or go retro with a trolley. Ask your supermarket to remove unnecessary packaging.

Day 16: Put an insulation jacket on your hot-water tank. If everyone does, we'll cut enough carbon dioxide to fill 148,000 hot-air balloons. Run your washing machine at 30 degrees. This uses 40% less electricity than running at 40 degrees. Only run your washing machine when you have a full load.

Day 17: Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need.

Day 18: Climate change isn't a distant threat – it's affecting poor communities now. Pray for action to help vulnerable communities adapt to the changing weather.

Day 19: Grow your own food whenever possible.

Day 20: Compost. Put the nutrients from food waste back into the soil – not into a methane-emitting landfill.

Day 21: Do a home energy check. You might save $500 a year on bills. Check your house for draughts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, buy a draught excluder. Draw the curtains to keep the heat in.

Day 22: Find one way to save paper today: re-use an old envelope or print double-sided. Re-use an item you would have thrown away – such as a jam jar, an envelope or an ice-cream container.

Day 23: Turn the taps off. In one day a hot, dripping tap could fill a bath.

Day 24: Thank your local council for their recycling facilities but ask them if they could provide more.

Day 25: "Love does no harm to its neighbour" Romans 13:10. But while our lifestyles consume more and more energy, our poorer neighbours are suffering. Reflect on ways to love our neighbours in our interconnected and interdependent world. Embrace ecological justice.



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Back to Communiqué		Try a Carbon Fast For a printable version, click here! What Can WE Do to promote ecological justice for the earth? Reduce Carbon Emissions by: The 25-day plan below lists simple energy-saving actions that can lead towards a lighter carbon footprint, including snubbing plastic bags, giving the dishwasher a day off, insulating the hot-water tank and checking the house for drafts. Participants are asked to begin the carbon fast by removing one light bulb from a prominent place in the home and live without it for 25 days, as a constant visual reminder during Advent of the need to cut energy. On the final day of the fast, people are encouraged to replace the missing bulb with an energy-saving bulb. Jones said: "Traditionally people have given up things for Lent. This year we are inviting people to join us in a carbon fast during Advent. It is the poor who are already suffering the effects of climate change. To carry on regardless of their plight is to fly in the face of Christian teaching. "The tragedy is that those with the power to do something about it are least affected, whilst those who are most affected are powerless to bring about change," he added. "There's a moral imperative on those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon to rein in our consumption." Figures from Tearfund, which is helping communities cope with the impacts of climate change around the world, highlight the contrast between carbon emissions in the developed and developing world. A total of 9.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted per person each year in the UK, compared with in 0.067 tons in Ethiopia and 0.24 in Bangladesh. Tadesse Dadi, a Tearfund worker in Ethiopia, said millions were already being affected: "Climate change may not yet be a problem for people in Europe, but here in Ethiopia its effects are being felt today by millions of ordinary men and women farmers. These poor communities, who have contributed least to climate change, are suffering the most from its effects." There has been a rising chorus on climate change from churches in recent years. The Church of England has already committed itself to reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 through its Shrinking the Footprint initiative. Chartres, Bishop of London has previously said that Christians have a moral duty to save the planet. In 2006 he pledged not to fly for a year, saying that "making selfish choices such as flying on holiday or buying a large car" were a "symptom of sin". Last year, the Vatican also hosted a conference on climate change, where Pope Benedict urged bishops, scientists and politicians to "respect creation" while "focusing on the needs of sustainable development". For more reasons why - check out the website below on google. www.truth-out.org/market-lying-why-we-must-tax-carbon-not-subsi... The full list of pledges for the carbon fast: Day 1: Remove one light bulb and live without it for the next 25 days. Switch off lights as you leave the room. Replace your missing bulb with an energy-saving light bulb. Over its lifetime, you will save 60kg of carbon dioxide per year and up to $120. Day 2:Are you recycling everything possible? Really – everything? Look into it today. Day 3: Tread lightly – whether that's by foot, by bike, on to a bus or on the gas as you drive. Find a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions when you travel today. Pressure a car owner to check their tire pressures. Low tire pressure means high fuel consumption. Day 4: Embrace-a-Silent Sunday. Turn off everything. No TV, no radio, no ring tones, no cars. It'll be good for the soul. Make a personal pledge to serve others by pursuing a more sustainable way of life. Day 5: Tell the Mailing Preference Service that you want to stop junk mail. Day 6: Turn your central heating thermostat down by one degree. Day 7: Say au revoir to standby’s. Check that all electrical equipment is switched off when not in use. The TV alone will save a hefty 20kg of carbon dioxide per year. Unplug your mobile phone charger: it uses electricity even when it's not charging. Day 8: Replace old electrical appliances with energy-efficient models. They could save a third of the energy. Make sure your fridge/freezer is running efficiently. Give your dishwasher a day off or promote it to a Grade A energy efficient appliance. Day 9: Cut the air miles. Get married in Canada. Don’t fly unless you have to. Don't consume any food that you know has been imported by plane (apart from Fair trade products). Day 10: Use local shops or farmers' markets instead of driving to out-of-town shopping malls. They will thank you; supermarkets won't notice your absence. Day 11: Can you talk about your Carbon Fast at church today? Encourage others to join in. Day 12: Tell politicians to take action on climate change today. Day 13: Put the heat on SaskPower, SaskEnergy and ask them if they have a green plan. Make the switch and feel cozy. Day 14: Take a shower instead of a bath: you'll heat less water. Day 15: Snub (i.e. treat with disdain) plastic bags. Get into the habit of taking your rucksack to the supermarket or go retro with a trolley. Ask your supermarket to remove unnecessary packaging. Day 16: Put an insulation jacket on your hot-water tank. If everyone does, we'll cut enough carbon dioxide to fill 148,000 hot-air balloons. Run your washing machine at 30 degrees. This uses 40% less electricity than running at 40 degrees. Only run your washing machine when you have a full load. Day 17: Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need. Day 18: Climate change isn't a distant threat – it's affecting poor communities now. Pray for action to help vulnerable communities adapt to the changing weather. Day 19: Grow your own food whenever possible. Day 20: Compost. Put the nutrients from food waste back into the soil – not into a methane-emitting landfill. Day 21: Do a home energy check. You might save $500 a year on bills. Check your house for draughts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, buy a draught excluder. Draw the curtains to keep the heat in. Day 22: Find one way to save paper today: re-use an old envelope or print double-sided. Re-use an item you would have thrown away – such as a jam jar, an envelope or an ice-cream container. Day 23: Turn the taps off. In one day a hot, dripping tap could fill a bath. Day 24: Thank your local council for their recycling facilities but ask them if they could provide more. Day 25: "Love does no harm to its neighbour" Romans 13:10. But while our lifestyles consume more and more energy, our poorer neighbours are suffering. Reflect on ways to love our neighbours in our interconnected and interdependent world. Embrace ecological justice.