What can I do to reduce my church’s energy consumption and carbon output?

Celebrate Earth Day! Raising awareness of environmental issues will encourage church members to reduce their own energy consumption. Here are some resources suggested by New York Interfaith Power and Light:
- National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program - Climate and Poverty Earth Day Sunday Resource: As people of faith, addressing climate change is a justice issue. This Earth Day, the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs is marking Earth Day Sunday (the Sunday closest to Earth Day) by recognizing the interconnectedness of poverty and climate change. Includes information on the problems of climate change and poverty, sermon starters, liturgy samples, adult and youth education resources, and action steps for individuals and congregations.
- The Evangelical Environmental Network - Creation Sunday resources including worship materials, sermon outlines, illustrations, adult resources, youth resources, and scripture passages.
- Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth - Earth Sunday resources: Includes opening words, hymn suggestions, a story for all ages, readings, homily, benediction; links to environmental sermons. For additional resources…
- Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) has resources that are suitable for Earth Day use.
- Web of Creation - Earth Day Resources: Hymns, litanies, call to worship, readings.
- Episcopal Ecological Network - Earth Sunday materials include an Earth Day message from the EpEN and a bulletin insert, as well as Earth Day activities and resources.
- United Methodist Board of Discipleship - Festival of God's Creation and Earth Day music resources.
- Sierra Club - Faith Goes Green resources includes a sermon and bulletin resource.
- Earth Day Network - Something We Can All Believe In: Including a Pulpit Pledge and worship resources.
- Earth Day TV - Two videos on Faith-based Responses to Global Warming For this resource, click on the Earth Day icon.
Join New York Interfaith Power and Light. Visit their website often to learn about new ideas and programs.
Have an energy audit completed for your facilities: http://www.nyserda.org/programs/energyaudit.asp
Make sure all your computers, copiers, water coolers and other pieces of office equipment are set to “power saving” mode.
Change all your lightbulbs. Discount prices are available to churches through ShopIPL.org, an online energy efficiency store for faith communities and their members sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light.
Send your monthly newsletter via email.
Look for ways to eliminate your use of Styrofoam. Have people leave a mug in the church kitchen for use during coffee hour and church dinners. Hold a fundraiser to raise money for an energy efficient dishwasher if you don’t already have one.
Commit to never buying a plastic water bottle again.
http://www.container-recycling.org/mediafold/newsarticles/plastic/2006/5-WMW-DownDrain.htm
http://www.sierraclub.org/committees/cac/water/bottled_water/
Maintain your church’s green space in an eco-friendly manner: http://www.nyipl.org/building/green_landscaping.html
Offer Bible studies or adult education sessions on why people of faith should be concerned about environmental issues. Better yet, hold them outside! Contact Susan Orr at the Presbytery Resource Center (585-242-0099) or Presbytery Peacemaker Brigit Hurley (242-0080 ext. 19) for suggestions.