Stewardship of our Environment
God calls us to care for creation, and the climate system that maintains our varied landscapes and seascapes, and sustains all of God’s people.
Environmental Stewardship - from the Episcopal Church
The Peace and Justice Ministries Office focuses on Environmental Stewardship through its active participation in the ecumenical Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches and by providing liaison support to the Episcopal Ecological Network. The Eco-Justice Working Group sponsors a bi-annual conference, publishes an annual Earth Day resource, is actively involved in issues of energy, stewardship and global warming, and works with seminaries and youth to raise the issues of environmental stewardship. The Episcopal Ecological Network the grassroots network of Episcopalians from around the country is helping the Church advocate and articulate protection of the environment and preserving the sanctity of creation. The Network's current priorities include: the development of materials and activities which promote the spiritual foundations of ecological protection; helping to implement the 71st General Convention resolution calling for the greening of General Convention and Executive Council meetings, as well as work for the greening of Episcopal conference centers; and actively working with congregations and dioceses around energy deregulation issues.
The goal of the Environmental Stewardship office is to provide to dioceses, congregations and individuals educational, liturgical and action ideas to facilitate our Church's commitment to stewardship of Creation. For more information, please contact Martha Gardner at mgardner@episcopalchurch.org or 800-334-7626 X6056.
The office accomplishes this goal by:
- developing a network of environmental coordinators throughout the Church
- working with the Church's Office of Governmental Relations around environmental legislation
- disseminating General Convention and Executive Council resolutions
- providing curricula, resources and conference information
- representing the Episcopal Church at secular and denominationalmeetings, including the National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Working Group
Interesting Links:What One Person Can Do
Take your foot off the CA$H pedal and burn less of what you earn.
This is a group in Atlanta GA that is advocating tips for your driving habits to avoid accidents, back ups and wasting gas and poluting the environment. I would encourage you to check out their site, regardless where you live and see what steps you can incorporate into your daily driving habits to support not only easier communtes, but also the MDG's, in the savings of gas, air polutants and your money Here is an example of one thing that each person can do.
Here's how burning less is like earning more. In 2005, for most commuters, transportation costs consumed over 20% of their yearly income (consider a combined household income of $80,000 and at least $16,000 burned up in auto expenses). With fuel costs 50% higher than in 2004, more of our earnings are being drained by the gas pump and our family's financial security is at stake. Here are the facts on how you can burn [33%] less of what you earn and put over $2000.00+ (avg. savings) back in your bank acount this year:
People of Faith, People of Action:
A Religious Response to Climate Change and The First Annual GIPL Awards!
The first Georgia Interfaith Power & Light awards (or "Gippies" as they are affectionately known), were a great success! We had a fabulous evening with inspiring messages from Rev. Sally Bingham, co-founder of Interfaith Power & Light, and Dr. Heidi Cullen, from the Weather Channel. We were pleased to honor four congregations with the first Gippies: Trinity Presbyterian Church received the Power award, Congregation Bet Haverim received the Light award, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta received the Trailblazer award, and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church was recognized as our Congregation of the Year! Congratulations to all our winners!!
The Great Warming!!!
We are living at the dawn of a new epoch. Year by year, degree by degree, Earth is growing warmer... a legacy of the Industrial Revolution, population growth, and our addiction to technology, speed and power.
Just as other generations spoke of a Great Plague and a Great Depression, our children will be compelled to endure The Great Warming - and find a way to conquer its consequences.Latest News.....
Hooray!!! We've just released THE GREAT WARMING on DVD.
We thought you'd like to know that you can now order your own DVD of the film, with over 70 minutes of never-before-seen stories and interviews.
And if you like, we'll donate $2 to one of our environmental or faith partner organizations.
So check out www.thegreatwarming.com to order yours.
And don't forget to check out our downloadable resources too - science factsheets, ideas for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, discussion guides, tips for "talking to climate skeptics" and much more. Why not hold a "friends and neighbours" screening?
Together we CAN reduce global warming.
All the best from The Great Warming team.Visit The Great Warming webpages
Click on these links to get more information about global warming
An Invconvienant Truth - click here for more information and website
For a differing perspective, read this NYTimes Editorial and click on the other links as well:
National Council Churchs of Christ - Eco Justice Programs
The Eco-Justice Programs office of the National Council of Churches works in cooperation with the NCC Eco-Justice Working Group to provide an opportunity for the national bodies of member Protestant and Orthodox denominations to work together to protect and restore God's Creation. (Click here for a list of denominations which participate in the Eco-Justice Working Group.)
The National Council of Churches also participates in the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, an organization compromised of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Evangelical Environmental Network, and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.Climate Change and Global Warming is . .
Scientists tell us "global warming is real; the science is sound; and the effects are likely to be severe." We add "this is a religious issue!" We are called to care for all of God's children, especially the most vulnerable, and to protect and restore God's creation. Climate change is a threat to all people and all of creation.
- News! Click here to view the Supreme Court amicus brief on global warming filed by the NCC
- Learn! Click here to learn more about global warming's impacts
- Attend! Click here to learn more about faith events on global warming
From the Smithsonian National Park
Tips from the Green Team
Making environmentally friendly decisions in everyday life is quite easy. These green tips offer some suggestions. Check back for new tips to learn how to make simple changes that will positively impact the Earth and the animals that we all want to protect. Click here to visit the website.
How to Make a Difference
Overpopulation, habitat loss, and careless use of natural resources affect all life on Earth. Buying exotic pets and goods made with animal products threaten the survival of many species. Can we do something to help? You bet!
Even though some problems occur on other continents, there are things you can do to have a positive—or negative—impact very far away. Action at the individual and local level is the first step toward a global solution.
The decisions we make—as consumers, professionals, concerned citizens, and parents—will affect the planet we pass on to future generations.
"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children."
—Ancient proverbClick here to visit the website
What You Can Do
