Bee flower
Photo by Kunal Kalra on Unsplash
People emerge from cold-weather shelter.
Blossoms, then leaves, pop out from barren branches.
Wildflowers and perennials peek up from silent ground.
God’s gifts beckon us to new life.
God’s trust summons us to care for creation.
UM Social Principles: “We affirm that all creation belongs to God and is a manifestation of God’s goodness…. Rather than treating creation as if it were placed here solely for humanity’s use and consumption, we are called to practice responsible stewardship and to live in right relationship with the Creator and with the whole of God’s creation.”
Creation Justice ident
Fossil fuels are unequally distributed on the planet, making some countries richer and giving them leverage over others. Clearly, that inequity can lead to and exacerbate war. Renewable sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal) are more equitably available, do not produce carbon emissions, and are sustainable without war. Speak up to government and corporate officials to move away from fossil fuels now.
Nearly half of what is in landfills is organic and could have been composted. Landfills are anaerobic (no air gets inside), causing organic waste to create methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas that harms our Earth. (Nearly 25% of current atmospheric warming is due to methane alone.) In contrast, organic materials that are composted contribute to the quality of the soil, which helps Earth. You can easily compost no matter where you live. Check your local area for options.
The #3 most effective action for addressing climate change, according to Project Drawdown, is avoiding and dealing with food waste. Everyone can do something about food waste! Plan meals, shop with a list, organize the fridge to see use-me-first items before they perish, use up leftovers, and compost.
Relax—don’t mow your lawn in May. No Mow May began with the awareness that the loss of nearly 97% of wildflower meadows has resulted in great losses of pollinators too. Reverse the trend. Participate in No Mow May; regularly allow four weeks between cuts; cut to a height of 3–5 inches, leave a patch of the lawn to grow long, or mow just the front yard if community ordinances or neighbors are a factor. The wildflowers and butterflies will relax with you.
Watch the documentary, Kiss the Ground, to understand how good soil works to combat flooding, drought, degraded ecosystems, and greenhouse gas emissions. Soil is key to human health and the health of the planet. View the full film or at least a series of shorter sections to appreciate the amazing gift good soil is to all the earth.
Go native! Plant plants that naturally grow in your area. Native plants require less water than lawns or annuals. They help prevent erosion and do not need fertilizers. They reduce air pollution, and they increase shelter and food for pollinators and birds. For suggestions, find a Master Gardener in your congregation or community or browse for “plants native to [your state].”
You head outdoors, gathering with friends. It’s a party—lots of people, including kids, having a good time! Go ahead and use those plastic cups if you have some on hand. No worries about broken glass, just put out a bin, labeled Cups Only. Afterwards, wash the cups for reuse on another occasion.
Help reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Drive less. In nice weather walk or bike more. Carpool or combine trips. Take public transit. Teleconference or phone. Bring your lunch and picnic nearby in the air you helped make cleaner.
Good for you—you are avoiding plastic by switching to shampoo and conditioner bars! But as they get smaller from use, they may break. What to do with the pieces? Save them and put them in a three-ounce paper cup. Heat them in the microwave, watching carefully, for under 30 seconds. Let the liquid cool. Peel off the paper and you have a new bar. No waste. Good for you!