Support and resources about environmental issues for churches and Christians.

"The Earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24)

The wilderness areas of the world and our natural environment are under increasing pressure. We hear of ice caps melting, forests being destroyed and increases in carbon emissions. Human activity is causing changes in our natural world, altering weather patterns, loss of species and rising sea levels.

Often the consequences of these changes are felt by the world's poor. Drought in Africa, floods in Bangladesh, the loss of lifestyle and homes by indigenous forest peoples are often the direct result of the exploitation of our natural world. These are issues of concern to Christians and non Christians alike.

Global climate change and environmental damage may seem like things that are beyond our control. What can I do alone to save the planet? The Christian family is a global one and it transcends political boundaries. Christ calls his Church to be a Holy nation through which the world might be blessed and saved. The call to Christian people is to be distinct, different, adding flavour to the character of the world around us. We understand something of what this means spiritually, but we also need to understand what this means in terms of lifestyle.

Christians have an opportunity to unite as a global people to model a responsible and sustainable way of living in harmony with the world around us. We can make choices which positively affect our environment and lifestyle.

Resources

The Blessing of Creation - Professor John Rodwell's address to Wakefield Diocesan Synod, October 2006

 

In October 2006 Wakefield Diocesan Synod agreed the following statement unanimously:

The Creation is more than a colourful backdrop to God's redemptive work in Jesus Christ. It is infused with God's desire for all that he has made. The Church has sometimes failed to proclaim this truth and should rediscover fresh ways of embracing environmental stewardship.

 

Shrinking the Footprint - the Church of England's National Environmental Campaign

This two-part Campaign aims to measure and then reduce the current ‘carbon footprint’ of the Church to help prevent global warming.

For more details about 'Measuring our Footprint' and to download the 'Measuring our Footprint' audit - click here.
To download the 'Measuring our Footprint' questionnaire - click here.

For more details of the campaign as it progresses, go to the Shrinking the Footprint Campaign website.

For Creed and Creation - a simple guidebook for running a greener church produced for the Diocese of London (external - large pdf 1.64mb)

 

Church Times Green Awards

The Church Times has launched a set of awards for churches and individuals who have worked to help promote environmental sustainability. For more details - click here.

 

Canon Ian Gaskell, the Social Responsibility Adviser for Wakefield Diocese produced "GRASP" - Green Action for Sustainable Places - to help Churches and Church members adopt good practice. Download separate sections of GRASP below:

GRASP - front cover
GRASP - introduction
GRASP - wildlife
GRASP - transport
GRASP - energy
GRASP - food
GRASP - what can I do?
GRASP - greening your parish - a simple environmental audit for churches, using material supplied by EcoCongregation

 

Wakefield Diocese Environment Officer:

Revd Bill Halling
56 Westborough Drive
Highroad Well
Halifax
HX2 7QL

Tel: 01422 320829
Email: halling@fish.co.uk

Bill is available to offer advice and guidance on environmental matters for Churches.

 

Recommended websites:

A Rocha - an international conservation organisation working to care for God's world.
Christian Ecology Link - a multi-denominational UK Christian organisation concerned about the environment. Includes news and articles for parish magazines. Click here for their Environmental Audit for Churches.
EcoCongregation - an ecumenical environmental toolkit encouraging churches to weave creation care into their life and mission. Click here for a leaflet outlining the resources, support and award available to help your church become an EcoCongregation (pdf 352kb). Click here for Module 1 - 'the Churches Environmental Check Up' (pdf 322kb).
Intermediate Technology Development group
Shrinking The Footprint - CofE national environmental initiative
The Conservation Foundation - promoting positive environmental news, awareness and action.
Waste Watch - promoting action on waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

 

Recommended reading:

"How many lightbulbs does it take to change a Christian? by Claire Foster & David Shreeve published by Church House Publishing (external link to purchase). Click here for a review of this book (pdf 49kb).

'Sharing God's Planet' published by Church House Publishing (external link to purchase).

'Jesus and the Earth' Bishop James Jones (external link to purchase).

'Caring for Creation - Biblical and Theological Perspectives' ed Sarah Tillet published by Bible Reading Fellowship (external link to purchase).