Kitty tips
Image Courtesy of UM Creation Justice Movement
Whether it's seeing a kitten discover something new, touching the soft fur of an adoring dog, smelling a fragrant blossom, hearing the night songs of the crickets and other critters, or tasting something fresh from the garden, in creation we find find joy and healing. We are blessed to be a blessing—caring for and acting on behalf of all of God's good gifts.
Instead of buying new toys for your dog or cat, go creative with Reuse. Old tennis balls, a length of rope, or an old tie stained or no longer in style are good for games of fetch or tug with your dog — who really wants to play with you. A stick tied with saved ribbons, a leftover blow-out, roll-out party favor, or just a simple flower on a stem will easily entertain a cat or kitten.
Tree planting season is coming. Investigate potential tree sales and planting services. Check with local government, nonprofit foundations, and nursery businesses. Trees pull down carbon from the atmosphere, provide habitat and food for birds and other pollinators, and give shade for cooling in the summer and allow sunshine for warmth in winter, lowering the use of fossil fuel energy.
Water is life, yet many waterways are choking with pollution. In Hackettstown (NJ), United Methodist Men worked with a local watershed association to remove 40 bags of trash, plus discarded tires and bedsprings. They then planted 100 trees and bushes along the edge of the river. As a church, plan a day to give some TLC to a waterway nearby.
500,000 school days missed annually by U.S. children are due to pollution from burning fossil fuels. Sick children mean parents miss work. Missing work often means no wages or even job loss. People who live closest to toxin-spewing plants pay a heavier price than those who have resources to live elsewhere. Justice requires action to stop air pollution.
Invest in a better future for all. Donate to organizations doing work you believe in but cannot do yourself. Even a small financial gift is put to good use. And the collective return on investment is huge.
Urge local, state, and federal lawmakers to act on behalf of the Earth. You may not know the details of a particular bill, but you can speak as a person of faith. Describe your vision of what is needed and ask those in power to support what you value.
The cost of energy-saving LED lights has dropped significantly. It’s time to drop any resistance to changing out the old bulbs for LEDs. One church, Christ UMC (Franklin, TN) saves the equivalent of 50 tons of carbon dioxide not polluting the air—and $12,000 annually. Churches, businesses, and homes can save dollars and the planet.
Related to justice and sustainability, the 2016 UM Book of Resolutions states, “God is calling each of us to respond …and we cannot hope to transform the world until we change our way of being in it.” Visit 52climateactions for a wide range of steps you can take to bring about a more just and sustainable world. Choose something and begin.
Could you be a Reducetarian? You may know the high costs meat, eggs, and dairy inflict on the planet, the animals, and water, but going vegetarian or vegan is not for you or your family. There is a middle way. Reducing the amount of animal products in your diet by just 10% makes a difference, and if just 25% of Americans did so, the impact would be enormously helpful. Find out more here.
Americans throw away 1.6 billion ink pens annually, where they live in landfills forever because they are plastic. Environmentally conscious entrepreneurs now offer alternatives made of natural grass, wheat straw, cork, or bamboo, plus refills. Now, when someone asks to borrow your pen, you’ll also have an opportunity to talk about avoiding single-use plastics.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is providing these Tips as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God's call to care for creation and do justice with our neighbors. For more about the UM Creation Justice Movement, go to umcreationjustice.org.