Wendy's boycott poster
A poster gives details on a planned demonstration against Wenday's on April 2. (Photo courtesy of Methodist Federation for Social Action)
With all that’s going on in the world, it’s easy to forget that we’re still facing planetwide extinction because of extreme climate change. However, a new campaign from the United Kingdom holds out hope that anyone can make significant changes to avert the climate crisis.
Called “The Jump,” the campaign is based on recent research conducted by Leeds University in England and analyzed by a global engineering firm, Arup, and the C40 group of world cities, according to The Guardian. The research recommends six relatively simple lifestyle changes:
- “Eat a largely plant-based diet, with healthy portions and no waste
- “Buy no more than three new items of clothing per year
- “Keep electrical products for at least seven years
- “Take no more than one short haul flight every three years and one long haul flight every eight years
- “Get rid of personal motor vehicles if you can – and if not keep hold of your existing vehicle for longer
- “Make at least one life shift to nudge the system, like moving to green energy or insulating your home.”
If everyone made these six commitments, it could result in reducing global carbon emissions – the major causing of climate change – by as much as a fourth of what’s needed to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade.
The Guardian quoted Tom Bailey, co-founder of the campaign\: “This ends once and for all the debate about whether citizens can have a role in protecting our earth. We don’t have time to wait for one group to act, we need ‘all action from all actors now’.”
Beat Putin with your thermostat
European United Methodists and their neighbors are being encouraged to turn down their heating to fight Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine by reducing Russia’s oil profits that fund the war. Fiona Harvey of The Guardian writes:
“Turning down the thermostat by 1C might not sound like much of a gesture when thousands of people are being killed in Vladimir Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. But it may be one of the few ways by which ordinary people in Europe, and around the world, can make an impact on the horrific events.
“Europe is highly dependent on Russian gas, which makes up 45% of EU gas imports. And with prices sky-high – partly because of Putin’s actions – an estimated $500m a day is pouring into Russian coffers to fight the Kremlin’s war. If Europe wants to stop Putin, sanctions are needed, but so too are alternative sources of energy. The Ukraine war has starkly revealed a truth that governments failed to learn from throughout the climate crisis: that energy is a matter of national security, and getting off fossil fuels and replacing them with renewable power is a source of strength.”
Like The Jump campaign, adjusting our thermostats to use less energy whatever the weather has lots of benefits, including fulfilling our calling from God to be good stewards of the Earth.
Speaking of Ukraine, check out the new FAQ from the General Board of Global Ministries on United Methodism’s history and ministry in the country. Knowing the details can help us pray for specific people and missions there amid the war.
Save the Date: Major Wendy's Boycott Action on April 2
Methodist Federation for Social Action encourages United Methodists to mark April 2 on their calendars. On that date, farmworkers and their allies will come together in Palm Beach, Fla., to march at the home of Wendy's Board Chair Nelson Peltz and the secondary headquarters of Wendy's largest institutional shareholder, Trian Partners.
From MFSA’s newsletter: “For more than six years, farmworkers and consumers have been demanding that Wendy's join the Fair Food Program to help protect farmworkers against human rights abuses prevalent in agriculture, but Wendy's has refused to do so.
“If you cannot make it to the march, you can use April 2nd as an opportunity to deliver a store manager's letter to your local Wendy's. You can find the letter here.
“Join the Fair Food mailing list to learn more about how to mobilize your community to join Coalition of Immokalee Worker's 2022 major spring action and how you can support from afar. Learn more”
Media Mentions as of March 17
Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton donates thousands to charity - Daily Herald
St. Luke Community United Methodist Church Reopens After COVID-19, 2021 Winter Storm - NBC 5
Asbury United Methodist Church to hold Prom Closet March 19th | WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather
Fact Check: Many US Megachurches DO Offer Relief And Support To The Ukrainian People ... Lead Stories
St. Andrew UMC Invites North Texas To “United With Ukraine: A Benefit Concert” - Local Profile
Sunfield United Methodist Church: Despite adversity, history of congregation is one of perseverence
United Methodists in Eastern Pennsylvania answer call to serve - Global Ministries
The Methodists' tragic record on racial justice - cleveland.com
Email scammers prey on churches | News | themountaineer.com
Southeast Mo. churches use cooking to bring community together - KFVS12
New Bern's Karen refugees embrace church, community to fight COVID – New Bern Sun Journal
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. This content may be reproduced elsewhere by emailing for permission.