Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that? --St. Augustine (354-430), De Civit. Dei, Book XVI
Cambrian Park has been at the forefront of Green Ministry for many years. Some examples are:
- Water saving
- landscaping with water saving native plants since 2008
- Replaced all toilets on campus with low-flow toilets 2009
- Replaced our old lawn sprinklers with new water saving types 2015
- Energy
- Replace all light bulbs with energy efficient, cost saving bulbs
- Installed a 24.42 kW Solar System, offsetting 68% of usage, and 90% of electrical bill
- Support Fair Trade Industries that promote sustainable products with just compensation
Green Resolutions for 2022
With the Covid 19 Pandemic our country's work for the environment by reducing plastics has taken a
back seat. Using plastics within the medical community has increased as we have become more
focused on stringent safety measures. But we can still try to reduce our plastic usage at home by not
buying items in plastic wrap. Most stores have vegetables and fruit that are not wrapped up or boxed
in plastic. Buy them in the Organic section and you will save us much space in the landfills.
Some Notes from another UMW sister, Nancy Olsen:
Plant a tree! It is good for the soil, good for the birds, good for reducing climate change — and good for the air we are breathing.
We also have a responsibility to take action against systemic racism. Our society is structured to benefit some people at the expense of others. These systems, which rely on race, class, and gender injustices also rely on the destruction of the environment.
Consider the climate crisis. Black and Brown communities have been living with the toxic effects of the oil and gas industry for generations. Indigenous communities have seen continued oppression through mining and extraction, and now many of them are being hit by climate effects, from disappearing coastlines and wildlife, to wildfires and drought. As climate impacts continue to escalate, it will be these communities who take the brunt of the injury and pain. Climate change spotlights the intersectionality of environmental crises and racism that has been clear to communities facing discrimination for decades.
One of the most powerful forces blocking progress is silence. By speaking about issues, encouraging people to explore interconnections between issues important to them and being ready to respond constructively is how we help create change.
Here are a few examples of day to day things you can do.
- Switch to more organic and Non GMO food choices to protect your health.
- Women, switch to make up, lotions and mouth products without toxic ingredients.
- Buy a reusable water and coffee container and carry them with you.
- Don’t buy anything with Styrofoam.
- Use real plates, silverware and cloth napkins rather than paper products at home.
- Get a plug strip that you can plug your electronics into that can be turned off with a switch to save electricity.
- If you need new appliances make sure they are the energy star type.
- Buy a clothesline to use during spring and summer when the rain stops.
- Need a new car? Buy an electric or hybrid.
Search the web for Environmental or climate change online websites and see what is happening that you can help with. Try NRDC, Blessed Earth,& UMC Creation Care sites. We need to try and make a positive difference in this world that God has gifted to us.
What will you do?
For more information, or to get involved, contact Betty Dickey at umw@cambrianparkumc.org