Environmental Priorities 2

January 23, 2012 at 10:41 pm (Green Team Discussion)
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Continuing in the vein of preserving environmental protections this legislative session in Olympia, another goal of the Environmental Priorities Coalition is to fulfill our clean energy initiative.  In 2006, Washington voters passed  Initiative-937 to direct the state’s major electric utilities to foster energy conservation and to develop alternative renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power so as to increase the proportion of new clean energy sources to 15% by 2020.  So far, more than $7 billion has been invested in renewable energy, resulting in more jobs, especially in struggling rural areas.  Although some minor changes may be needed to make I-937 work more efficiently, the legislature must preserve the voters’ intent and keep state utilities on track to meet clean energy goals by 2020.

For more information, see www.environmental priorities.org

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Washington Environmental Priorities Coalition

January 12, 2012 at 7:32 pm (Green Team Discussion)
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It’s hard times in our state, and this is reflected in the goals of the Environmental Priorities Coalition for the 2012 legislative session.  There are no big new initiatives, but a focus on maintaining existing protections, such as the Growth Management and Shoreline Management Acts, the Forest Practice Act that protects salmon and prevents flooding and landslides, and regulations to reduce contaminated run-off into Puget Sound and area lakes and rivers.  Maintaining an attractive and healthy environment attracts business to our state, brings in tourist dollars, and maintains resource-based industries such as fishing and timber.  Less than 2% of the state budget is spent on the Dept. of Natural Resources and other environmental agencies, and failure to protect our resources will cost us more in the long run.

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Alive Now

January 5, 2012 at 11:01 pm (Reflections)
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The January/February  issue of “Alive Now” focuses on the topic “Caring for Our Earth,” and the following issue will discuss “Wilderness.”  (The March/April issue will include daily reflections for Lent.)  There are still a few copies available at the church, or you can read the reflections and some of the articles on-line at www.alivenow.org

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Healthy New Year

January 4, 2012 at 9:16 pm (Reflections)
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My husband and I started the new year right with a 10K walk in West Seattle.  Previously I’ve mostly passed through this area on my way to the ferry, and have sometimes gotten lost, so this gave me a better sense of where things are.  We started out from the Episcopal church and walked through the business district with many interesting restaurants and shops.  Then down along the waterfront to Alki Beach where we saw some “polar bear” swimmers.  Checkpoint at the Log House Museum, then back up a looong hill–feeling the effects of a mostly sedentary December.

I’ve updated the “NB Walks” page with other highlights of my volksmarch adventures.

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Happy New Year

December 29, 2011 at 8:27 pm (Reflections)
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At a recent Earth Ministry colleagues’ gathering, I picked up a list of possible New Year’s resolutions.  Unfortunately, I neglected to note which greening congregation developed this list, so I can’t give the appropriate credit, but think it’s worth posting to give us some ideas for actions to take in 2012.

In the coming year, I will:

Use the car less–walk when I can

Buy products with less packaging

Turn off lights and conserve energy

Give away items I no longer use to rummage sales and/or places like Goodwill

Carry my own water bottle or cup to church

Use fair trade products

Notice sunset, rainbows, and nature

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A Greener Christmas

December 5, 2011 at 10:47 pm (Green Team Discussion)
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Our Monday night group is starting to discuss a new book by Mike Slaughter, “Christmas Is Not YOUR Birthday.”  Slaugher inspires readers to approach Christmas differently, “cutting back on the overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness that rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration.”

One way to simplify this holiday season is to think about how to celebrate in a way that is more sustainable for our planet.  Adult members of larger families may decide to have a gift exchange, either drawing one name to buy for or making a game of drawing gifts from a pile and then trading them.  My family does this with a white elephant exchange, and have much more fun with this than we would with “regular” presents.

Some other “green” gift ideas are fair-trade coffee (available for sale here at the church), handcrafted items made by local artisans, a donation to a charity or other non-profit organization that your loved one supports, or for adults and children alike, the gift of an age-appropriate experience rather than a material object.  Some suggestions could be a visit to a museum, tickets to a play, lunch at a favorite restaurant, etc.  One church member says that she takes each of her grandchildren one at a time to the “palace of plastic” (toy store) and asks them to help her pick out a toy for a needy child their own age to donate to “Toys for Tots.”  The grandchildren get a special outing, have the fun of shopping, and learn about generosity.

Last but not least, think about your own gifts and talents.  We can be producers, and not just consumers.  The gifts of your skills, time and passions can be the best gifts of all.  Teach a child to crochet, do carpentry or plant a garden.  Take someone on your favorite hike.  Pledge to do yard work or household chores for an older person (or a busy younger one).  Bake some cookies or paint a picture.  Think “presence” rather than “presents.”

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Prophet Isaiah Urges Recycling

November 24, 2011 at 8:01 pm (Quotes to Ponder)
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“…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…”

A blessed Avent to all!

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The Fastest-Growing Religion

October 24, 2011 at 10:32 pm (Quotes to Ponder)
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“The fastest-growing religion in the world is not Islam or Christianity; the symbol of this rising faith is not the star and crescent or the cross, but a dollar sign.  This expanding belief system is radical consumerism.  It promise transcendence, power, pleasure, and fulfillment even as it demands complete devotion.”  [from The Advent Conspiracy, Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder.  More info available at www.adventconspiracy.org]

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Why Christians Care About the Environment

October 12, 2011 at 7:22 pm (Reflections)
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Everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, has a stake in preserving a healthy environment.  However, here are some reasons why Christians specifically should practice creation care.  Can you add to this list?  Send me a comment.

1. God created the world, and we are to be its caretakers/stewards.  Christian environmentalists affirm this, although we may disagree with one another about the mechanism of creation.  All of the earth’s resources are given to us by God, and we are to treat these gifts wisely and respectfully.

2.  Many people experience God through the natural world–i.e., wonder at seeing a star-filled sky, the power of the ocean or the majesty of the mountains.  Many scripture passages (especially in the Psalms) and hymns, both traditional and contemporary, describe the heavens and earth as declaring God’s glory.  There are also some specifically Christian experiences involving the Creation, such as church camps and retreats, outdoor sunrise services at Easter, and baptism services at a river or lake.

3.  Many Christian environmentalists understand the commandment to love our neighbor to include our neighbors of future generations, our children and grandchildren, and also our non-human neighbors such as polar bears, orcas, cedar trees and all living creatures.

4.  The Torah, the prophets and the Gospels instruct us to care for the vulnerable (widows, orphans and strangers).  Environmentalism is a part of this ethic because the negative effects of pollution and climate change are primarily borne by the disadvantaged (i.e., drought in the Horn of Africa, toxic dumps in low-income neighborhoods).

5.  Our most basic sacraments, baptism and ccommunion, are derived from the natural world–water, soil, sunlight, seeds, vines.  God created all these and more, and declared them good.

 

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Eating Local

August 22, 2011 at 10:09 pm (Food and Agriculture)
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I’m looking forward to our “Chef’s Surprise” meal between services on 8/28.  I can hardly wait to see what people bring from their gardens and local farmers markets, and what our talented kitchen crew, led by Alice H., will make of it all.  I thought that this article from the “Saving Dinner” website gives some good info about eating local and healthy:

Dear Friends,
 
You know those “shop local” bumper stickers that seem to be the tattoo on the hindquarters of a good chunk of vehicles? There’s a reason why that statement is becoming popular: for each dollar you spend locally, 68 cents stays in the area and used to create jobs, pay taxes, and support your local city. Isn’t that great? And it’s not just the cash in pocket that makes the grade; the environment also benefits! By shopping locally, it costs way less in transportation costs and because it’s local, it often means less packaging!

When you buy local food you aren’t just supporting the local farm, but you’re getting the best nutrition available for you and your family, too. You’re usually buying produce that has more than likely ripened before being picked so that it is higher in nutrition when it reaches your table. There is also a sense of security in knowing who grew the food and how it was grown.

There’s a whole movement afoot to buy local. Even some Wal-Marts are starting to offer local produce! This isn’t just the “cool” new thing to do, it’s also critical for our food safety, plus it tastes better eating food that hasn’t been shipped half way around the world.

And did I mention taste? (LOL, yep, once or twice). But I have to emphasize, there is definitely a difference in taste! It may impact your taste buds so much that you won’t want to go back to the grocery store and instead choose your local farmer’s market or even grow your own.

So, save a local business, save a local farm, seek out places to shop locally, and maybe you’ll be sporting one of those bumper stickers soon! 

WANT TO USE MY ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it.

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

For an update on our “Chef’s Surprise” brunch, see “NB Eats” link at the left of this page.  I’m just sorry nobody brought a camera to record  the beautiful and abundant table.

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