Every Day Must Be Earth Day

Special to United Methodist Insight | April 22, 2025

Every day should be Earth Day.

Our Creator calls us to love others and care for them by caring for the Creation on which we all depend to live, move and have our being. We all have failed to do this in the past and the Creation now cries out in wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heat waves and more. In Africa and across the diaspora, black folk are suffering more than others. During the next four years it is vital that all persons of goodwill and churches, organizations and local governments pledge to do something new for the planet each month. A few suggestions and a link to many more follow:

1. Cut your CO2 emissions from electricity by 90% by switching your electric supplier to a B corporation operating for the community good in many states participating in the Community Solar program.  It only takes a few minutes. Get your utility bill and call the company or visit the website. In the state of Maryland where I live, Common Energy is such. For Common Energy call +1-844-899-9763 or go to the website: https://www.commonenergy.us/for-consumers)

2. Cut your CO2 emissions on the road by making your next car a hybrid or EV. Meanwhile cut CO2 emissions by making fewer trips by combining errands, carpooling, biking/walking when safe, taking public transportation such as subways or AMTRAK, driving 55 on highways and at the speed limit in town, speeding up and braking more gently.

3. At home, turn down the hot-water temperature and set the thermostat on 68 in winter and 78 in summer to cut CO2 emissions.

4. Please share this information widely.

5. Read more and sign up for monthly tips here:

https://umcreationjustice.org/march-2025-tips-consider-the-lilies/

Peace and creation justice to all.

Richard F. Gillum, M.D., M.S. serves on the staff of Howard University College of Medicine, where he is a member of HU Wesley Foundation and the Christian Community Health Fellowship.