The visible effects of climate change are heralding a new and unprecedented era of turbulence in our planet’s natural systems that have profound implications for our planet, writes Christian ethicist Larry Rasmussen. In this article he explores the moral implications. (Photo: Takver, Creative Commons)
Many of us suffer from “plant blindness,” according to botanists Elisabeth Schussler and James Wandersee. By being “blind” to the plant life around us, we can miss the importance of plants to the overall biosphere and human existence. How might one counter such “blindness”? Learn about plants! Read on to get started. (Photo: Lance Cheung, USDA, Creative Commons)
Operation Noah offers a list of actions, ranging from beginner to advanced, to educate and equip congregants to become more engaged with environmental stewardship issues, including climate change. Visit Operation Noah’s website and download a PDF for use in your context! (Photo: Michael Livsey, Creative Commons)
It’s not too late to put in a community garden at your church. You can reap healthier relationships with your neighbors, provide fresh produce for needy folks, and use it as a tool to teach about life God’s creation. This United Methodist Church tells how to start. (Photo: USDA, Lance Cheung)
As many as one million plant and animal species are now at risk for extinction, according to a summary released earlier this week by the United Nations. The massive assessment points to human alterations to the landscape as the cause. The entire 1,500 page report, written by hundreds of international experts, will be published later this year. (Photo: […]
Another Earth Day come and gone, and your congregation is still on the sidelines? Here’s a helpful guide for the congregation that wants to work to help but doesn’t know how to go about it. Lutherans Restoring Creation have developed this “Congregational Self-Organizing Kit” that will get you well on the road to mobilizing God’s […]
Earth Day, April 22, falls on a Sunday this year, so why not plan a special Earth Sunday worship? You can make it a celebration of the natural environment, or maybe an old-fashioned blessing of the seeds and soil. Here are some links to resources for worship and education.
Nancy Sleeth of Blessed Earth, provides helpful talking points to engage in meaningful dialogue with Christians who don’t believe in a biblical imperative for creation care. “We focus on the biblical call to be wise stewards of God’s gifts—a value we share. Rather than getting polarized by politics, we look for common ground,” she says. (Photo: Bark, […]
Want to make a difference with your Lenten discipline? Consider giving up plastic for Lent. This article gives some compelling reasons, including these facts: “25% of plastic produced globally is packaging. Just look at what you had for lunch. Even if it didn’t come in a packet, it still probably had a plastic film. Only 14% of plastic is recycled and by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.” (Photo: Kate Ter Haar, Creative Commons)
Instead of giving up chocolate for Lent again this year, how about giving up plastic waste? Or processed foods? Or some of your driving trips? Here are a dozen tips for Lenten disciplines that are eco-friendly and can help you have a lighter environmental footprint. From treehugger.com. (Photo: Bill Smith, Creative Commons)
