St Alban’s Turns Green
Posted on Friday 14th December, 2007
St Alban’s is currently engaged in an environmental audit and calling on all its members to live in an environmentally-friendly way, changing day to day habits, buying Fair-trade products where possible and renewing their commitment to God´s creation.
On World Environment Day in 2005 the Church of England launched a campaign called ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ to raise awareness about environmental change and its impact on our planet, and where possible, to begin taking concrete steps to help reverse the potentially disastrous effects of global warming.
While there are still a few isolated voices of dissent in the environmental debate, an overwhelming consensus within the scientific community now acknowledges the reality of global warming, and the fact that human activity is definitely contributing to climate change.
Almost every day we hear reports from one region of the globe or another about the effects of changing weather conditions. Evidence now suggests that climate change is being brought about by the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels.
In short, patterns of production and consumption over the past two centuries in the West have contributed to a destabilisation of the global climate. With developing nations now seeking to industrialise at a rapid rate, further damage will be done, unless we act.
The Synod chose to call its environmental initiative ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ as its overall aim is to reduce the level of carbon emissions the church produces. In seeking to bring its own house in order, the church is also seeking to provide moral leadership on an issue that will come to dominate the political debate for years to come.
While we thank and praise God for the mystery of creation and the precious gift of life, we must also realise that God has charged us with the stewardship of the earth.
It is up to us to ensure that future generations also have the opportunity to live and come to know God. We also have a moral obligation to help the vulnerable and the weak.
There is little doubt that those who will bear the brunt of the first effects of global warming will be those who are already exposed to hunger, famine and drought, the disenfranchised and the poor in the third world.
In the global village, everyone’s your neighbour. Therefore we need to act.
At a meeting in June this year, the Church Council decided to respond to the challenge of shrinking the church’s carbon footprint by implementing an environmental audit of the church in line with recommendations set out by the General Synod.
The audit is a general review of the patterns of energy consumption within the church and the environmental impact our activities have. Once the results have been collated, a decision will have to be made on how and where to act. The results of the audit are being discussed now.
As part of the campaign to raise consciousness of the issues, the Council invited members of the congregation who are interested to a private viewing of Al Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth on the subject of climate change.
A post-graduate in Geography who has studied the effects of global warming and climate change chaired questions afterwards. All of us can act by making small changes in our daily lives and routines. For more information on how to do this, you can visit the Shrinking the Footprint website at http://www.shrinkingthefootprint.cofe.anglican.org You might also consider following the advice below, or reciting the environmental prayer.
Top ten tips to reduce your carbon footprint:
- Switch off lights and electrical appliances when not being used (don’t leave
them on ‘stand by’). - Insulate loft, walls and water tanks, and draught proof windows and doors.
- Switch from oil heating to other forms of central heating, ‘fjernevarme’
where possible. - Replace old appliances with new energy efficient ones.
- Only boil as much water as you need.
- Use your printer as little as possible.
- Turn your thermostat down.
- Recycle waste.
- Buy locally.
- Walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.
An environmental prayer
Lord God,
We thank you for the gift of life.
We thank and praise you for the mystery of creation.
We know that you are in us,
And we in you.
Guide us, therefore,
In our efforts
To hand on the earth to future generations,
So that others can seek to understand
Your will and purpose in the world,
Bring your love to perfection
And magnify your holy name.
Help us overcome godlessness with love.
Help us support and protect
victims of climate change everywhere;
Those who’ve had to endure the loss
of their homes or livelihoods
due to the ravages of famine, fire and flood.
Teach us to live in peace
And harmony with all creation.
Lord, in your name,
Amen.
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