15 follow up leaflet - operation...
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The benefits Quick wins are not hard to find. They can be fun, friendly and help save money as well as cutting carbon. Seven steps to help you get going
1) Buy very efficient A* rated appliances and technology. If your next car is 50% more efficient it could save you £800 in fuel and £150 in tax each year (figures based on a mileage of 16,000 per annum). 2) How energy-‐efficient is your home? Have you invested in loft insulation, draught-‐proofing, a new boiler, wall or floor insulation, double or secondary glazing, or any water-‐saving devices? Find out about the many energy-‐saving measures you can take around the home at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. 3) Have you thought about renewable energy options? The feed-‐in tariffs for generating electricity from photo-‐voltaic panels still offer good returns despite recent changes. You could also switch your electricity provider to a renewable energy supplier. 3) Walk, cycle or take public transport. You could also car share or join a car club. It could be a chance to make new friends as well. 4) LED lighting technology has improved vastly in recent years: changing to LED bulbs (for example, spotlights in kitchens) can result in 80-‐90% savings. 5) Reduce food waste and all packaging as much as possible. Especially avoid buying bottled water. Always compost your food waste and recycle where possible. 6) What is the carbon footprint of the food you eat? It is estimated that one third of global carbon emissions come from the food industry. Eating less meat and dairy, less processed food and more seasonal, local produce, wholefoods, fruits and vegetables brings huge carbon savings and is much healthier too. 7) Eliminate or limit journeys by air.
For a range of free resources visit www.operationnoah.org
Finding a path: Getting to grips with climate change
‘God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.’
Genesis 1:31
‘Respect for the human being and respect for nature are one.’ Pope Benedict XVI
‘The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to
its children.’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-‐1945)
Climate change is with us for the long term. It’s not an easy subject and many people find it difficult to talk about. But fear and silence won’t give us long term solutions. So how can you make a difference? We can all play a part.
‘Christians should be in the vanguard of those who are seeking to arrest climate change, and seeking also to protect habitats where wildlife lives.’
John Stott (1921-‐2011)
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Time to Reflect Twenty-‐five years ago hardly anyone had heard of climate change, but now it is widely understood to be one of the biggest issues we face. During that time scientists have learnt more, new technologies have been discovered, and laws have been put in place to address the issue. But we know that we are a long way from winning, and many ordinary people wonder what they can do, or if it’s even worth trying. Even the experts are still on a learning curve, and there isn’t a strong tradition of long-‐established organisations addressing the issue. So your actions and support of organisations like Operation Noah are all the more beneficial. Climate change affects us all and can only be addressed by people coming together with a sense of purpose, changing lifestyles, putting pressure on decision-‐makers and finding new ways of doing things
What’s faith got to do with it?
‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.’ (Psalm 24:1) As Christians, we believe God calls us to care for his world. People everywhere reflect his love in their love of landscape, gardens, animals and wildlife. Caring for the world needs to become part of who we are as Christians – whether it’s in our prayer, our worship, our care for people affected by climate change, or in campaigns to address the causes. Simpler lifestyles may give us more time for relationships and healthier habits, both of which make us happier as well as cutting carbon. Jesus called people to follow him and take time to listen to his teaching. And he continually challenged people too.
Time to Act Everyone will find different ways to direct their time and energy but here are some ways to approach climate change in the longer term: 1) Getting up to speed • Take time to read and reflect on the Ash Wednesday Declaration or
on aspects of the science that interest you. • What issues are you still unclear about regarding climate change?
Make a list and resolve to find the answers. 2) Putting it into practice • Temptation can be very subtle and misleading! If you were to
simplify your lifestyle what positive benefits could you identify? • Do a carbon footprint to get an objective view of how you use
energy, and how you could improve it. Are there longer-‐term decisions (e.g. installing a new boiler or changing where you invest savings) that you could start to research now, rather than waiting till the pressure is on?
3) Pray and live it out in church • Could you ask your church to run a Lent Course, Bible Study or
Creation Season to help others think through the issues? Working together in church or community groups is likely to bring better results and there are many resources available
• Could your church support organisations that campaign and care for God’s creation as part of its mission in the world?
4) Encourage a debate and help people to open up • Conversations on the bus, over coffee or in the park? They all help
move people on. Listen and be positive as people explore the issue. • Make sure MPs, councillors and other decision-‐makers hear your
concerns. • Support Operation Noah’s on-‐going campaigns on specific issues.