Resources and tips contributed by members of our congregation...
(There are lots of suggestions and advice, so please read on!)
- A useful site with all sorts of ideas and advice on cooking and decorating your home: www.nigelsecostore.com
- Cleaning products and shampoos: www.theremustbeabetterway.co.uk
- Information on sustainable living: www.amberlinks.org
- Jon Hale, a Church of England Vicar from Crawley, West Sussex, developed Earth Resources.
- There's a box in the church kitchen for the recycling of Tetra Packs (those cardboard juice cartons).
The Green Bible
Published by HarperCollins, this is the UK's first Bible to be printer on environmentally sustainable FSC paper using soy-based ink. Both hardback and paperback editions are available. The text is based on the NRSV translation, and highlighted in green ink are over 1,000 passages related to environmental concerns. It is priced at £10.70 (+ £2.49 p&p). Please ask Rodney Shaw for more information and to order a copy.
The Wave: Come Together to Stop Climate Change
On Saturday 5th December there is a march on the eve of the climate change talks in Copenhagen. Events begin with a service in Methodist Central Hall in Westminster conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at 11am, followed by a march at 12pm starting from Grosvenor Square. Marchers are encouraged to wear blue to signify a blue wave of people flooding the streets.
Going Carbon Neutral
For a practical guide to being carbon neutral see http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk.
Manager Your Energy Consumption
Rodney Shaw has an energy monitor that can be quickly installed to give a read of domestic energy consumption. This is available to borrow for a week or two and is an excellent way of working out what is responsible for heavier power consumption. If you would like to use the monitor, please put your name on the list on the Eco-congregation notice board at the bottom of the stairs to the left of the church entrance.
Recycling Household Waste
Plastic: plastic bottles account for 40% of household waste. Making plastic bags from recycled plastic consumes nearly two thirds less energy, releases lower levels of pollutants and uses nearly 90% less water than making them from new plastic.
Paper: recycling paper requires 28-70% less energy, produces 95% fewer emissions, and requires less water and far fewer raw materials.
Glass: around 3.6 million tonnes of glass is used in the UK and it suffers no loss in quality when reprocessed.
Methodist Relief and Development Fund
Care for each other and for the world around us is at the heart of the Christian Faith. MRDF has produced a free study pack for use by house groups and study groups.
Environmentally Friendly Gifts
If you are looking for an unusual, environmentally friendly gift for someone, you could go for a shopping bag with a solar panel which can recharge small electrical equipment - available from Reware Store.
There are major concerns that the use of palm oil in soaps, for example, is causing an environmental catastrophe.
The Body Shop is committed to source all of its palm oil from sustainable resources in Colombia. This source also has Fairtrade certification.
