Sustainability Showcase, Sunday Sept. 23, 2018
The Season of Creation is a wonderful time to reflect on how our lifestyles impact the environment and to make a commitment to live in ways that better care for our earth. The good news is that making more sustainable lifestyle choices in just a few areas adds up to a big difference overall. What can you do to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and live more sustainably? SJN’s first-ever Sustainability Showcase was held to help parishioners consider this question. Below is a summary of the information we presented on home energy use, transportation, reducing waste, recycling, food and diet, and advocacy, as well as on our ministry and on Catholic social teaching on care for creation (with links to presentations and other resources).
The Season of Creation is a wonderful time to reflect on how our lifestyles impact the environment and to make a commitment to live in ways that better care for our earth. The good news is that making more sustainable lifestyle choices in just a few areas adds up to a big difference overall. What can you do to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and live more sustainably? SJN’s first-ever Sustainability Showcase was held to help parishioners consider this question. Below is a summary of the information we presented on home energy use, transportation, reducing waste, recycling, food and diet, and advocacy, as well as on our ministry and on Catholic social teaching on care for creation (with links to presentations and other resources).
1. CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME MINISTRY
SJN's Care for Our Common Home Ministry was started in 2016 in response to Pope Francis' enclyclical Laudato Si'. Click HERE to download an overview of our mission, motivation, and activities. We have connected with many Catholic and other faith groups (locally, nationally, and internationally) who share our desire to heed the "cry of the earth and the cry of the poor". |
2. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
The seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching include Care for God's Creation. Click HERE to download an overview of care for the environment as rooted in Scripture; the inspiring life of St. Francis of Assisi; the writings of Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis; and the teachings of the Catholic Church. |
3. REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE The easiest ways to minimize the environmental impact of our consumption are to reduce what we buy and use, re-use whatever we can, and recycle and compost as much as possible. Click HERE to download information on how to reduce, re-use, and recycle in your home. This summary has many valuable links that can help you responsibly manage your waste generation and disposal. |
ENERGY USAGE
There are many effective ways to save energy at home. Whether you live in a house or apartment, a mobile home or a renovated loft, conserving energy will benefit our environment and put money in your pocket! Click HERE to to download a document to learn some simple ways to reduce your household's energy consumption and to purchase energy from renewable sources. |
ZERO WASTE
The goal of zero waste is to eliminate trash by choosing products that can be reused indefinitely or that are biodegradable. It mimics nature in that there is no trash in nature. Click HERE to download information on a variety of simple ways to reduce what we need and avoid taking resources from the earth and then dumping them in a giant hole in the ground (landfill). |
DIET
Food nourishes our bodies and souls, giving us strength to work, play, pray, and enjoy our families and friends. Click HERE to download a summary document that shows that "reducing animal food intake and mostly eating plant foods is one of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your impact on the planet over your lifetime, in terms of energy required, land used, greenhouse gas emissions, water used and pollutants produced." |
PLASTIC-FREE CHALLENGE
Reduce your use of plastic, especially single-use items like plastic grocery bags, water bottles, and straws. They waste resources and are a major source of pollution on land and in rivers and oceans. Click HERE for tips on alternatives. |
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., with most of those emissions coming from cars and light-duty trucks. Click HERE to download information on the best and worst ways to get around and travel, and for tips on reducing GHG emissions from driving and flying. |
ADVOCACY
Advocating for policies to protect the earth and vulnerable populations is critical to achieving the scale of changes needed. Click HERE to download an overview of how to advocate with elected officials, as well as with family members and friends, corporations, and the Church. |