We will celebrate Earth Sunday next Sunday, April 28th. As you prepare for this celebration and for the coming of spring, let me share with you a few thoughts on things we can each do to respect and protect the integrity of God’s creation:
1. Make a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint. Drive less and walk more I tell myself. Now to do it. One gallon of gas emits about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide.
2. Eat more simply. I have not made the switch to vegetarianism, but I eat a lot less meat than I used to. Adding meat to a meal once a week is enough of that type of protein if the rest of my diet is healthy. Each person needs to decide what diet is best given your health needs. I am only suggesting that we look at our diet and find ways to eat more simply if we can.
3. Recycling is not hard. The company that picks up our home trash every week picks up our recycle stuff–newspaper, plastic, and such–every other week.
4. Supporting sustainable agriculture is something I know I can learn to do better. Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables grown locally supports the local economy and is more earth friendly.
5. Buying fair trade produce and products is a good way to support local economies in other regions and countries.
Add your ideas to this list and send them to the church office and we will share them with others.
Let me close with the following pledge of allegiance for Earth Day, which was written by William Sloane Coffin.
I pledge allegiance to the earth, and to the flora, fauna, and human life it supports; one planet indivisible, with clean air, soil, and water, economic justice, freedom and peace for all.
Peace, David Hansen