Although much of the environmental debate is centred on the global scale, there are many practical ways that individuals and organisations can contribute to the effort. This cumulative effect really can make a difference - and potentially save money too.
The three basic steps are simple to implement:
Advice on how to implement these three basic suggestions can be downloaded from the information section below.
Since early 2007 parishes have been asked to let us know about their energy consumption as part of their annual returns. This information allows us to work out what our current carbon footprint is and to measure the reduction year after year.
In March 2007, the Bishop of London, with the Mayor of London and other religious leaders, launched For Creed and Creation. This book offers further simple advice to churches that want to be greener. The book is available to download from this page.
| For Creed and Creation |
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The Shrinking the Footprint Steering Group has produced three new leaflets with information and guidance on key environmental topics, relevant to churches and congregations. Each leaflet is in landscape, to print double-sided for folding in three.
Pre-printed copies may be requested from the Head of Environmental Challenge.
| Gas and electricity prices - with energy-saving tips |
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| Plants, animals, creation - about fauna and flora |
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| Waste not want not - conserving water and waste |
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Recent talks by the Head of Environmental Challenge may also be downloaded:
| Climate, Science, Belief, Action |
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| Climate, Science, Justice, Action |
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| World, Environment, Climate, Responses |
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Suggestions on how to implement the three basic steps are given in the first three of these downloads.
For Creed and Creation covers many more areas of how to make a church greener. The Diocesan Sharing God's Planet group have expanded on some of these ideas and prepared three guides on the practicalities of making environmentally-conscious changes to church buildings.
| 1a. Lighting in Churches |
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| 1b. BestBulb lighting quotation |
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| 2. Heating Churches |
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| 3a. Switching to a green energy supplier |
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| 3b. Green Energy application form |
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| 4. For Creed and Creation - advice for churches |
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| 5. Whose world? Study Guide |
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| 6. Reducing Water Consumption |
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| 7. Recycling and Waste Disposal |
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| 8. Generating your own Energy |
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Shrinking the Footprint - the Church of England’s environmental campaign
Other Church of England or Church-related Contacts and Links
A foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury to Sharing God's Planet - a Christian vision for a sustainable future
How many lightbulbs does it take to change a Christian? - a book aimed at individuals.
