Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, a period of penitence, reflection, and preparation for Easter observed by some flavors of Christianity.
In those denominations, it’s traditional to for that penitence and reflection to be demonstrated, in part, by “giving up” something for Lent.
A common theme on some of the Episcopal-themed blogs I follow this year is the idea of a “carbon fast” for Lent….an idea that strikes me as a pretty good one.
In case you’re wondering, behind the page break, I’ve taken the liberty of sharing a suggested schedule of a carbon fast as presented by James Jones at the Episcopal Cafe:
Ash Wednesday: Remove one light bulb (without inviting danger).
Thursday: Check your house for draughts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, buy a draught excluder.
Friday: Whatever mode of transport you usually use, try to make at least one of your journeys more environmentally friendly.
Saturday: Consider whether or not you’re using all available avenues for recycling (don’t forget that charity shops play a valuable role).
Week 2
Sunday: Find the most environmentally friendly way you can to get to church today (e.g. walk, bike, car share).
Monday: Turn your central heating thermostat down by one degree. If you have separate thermostats on radiators, adjust them to suit the use of the room.
Tuesday: Check that all electrical equipment is switched off rather than on standby when not in use. Screen savers do not save electricity.
Wednesday: As chocolate is still on the menu this Lent, be sure to reward yourself with Fair trade chocolate.
Thursday: Ensure your mobile phone charger is unplugged when not in use.
Friday: Plan your menu for next week and buy only enough food to avoid waste.
Saturday: When shopping, employ the LOAF principle – that is buy Locally produced, Organic, Animal friendly, and Fairly traded goods.
Week 3
Sunday: “Receive the world God has given. Go for a walk. Get wet. Dig the earth” (the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams).
Monday: Fill a liter plastic bottle with water, replace the lid and place it carefully into your toilet cistern. Water and energy will be saved with every flush.
Tuesday: Take a shower instead of a bath.
Wednesday: Say No to Unwanted plastic Bags (SNUB). Carry a couple with you and refuse the ones you don’t really need.
Thursday: Make a point of switching off all lights as you leave the room.
Friday: Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need.
Saturday: Begin the gardening year by going organic. Hand weed or hoe rather than spraying and don’t be over tidy. You, your garden and its wildlife will benefit from more relaxed regime.
Week 4
Sunday: Think about the environment Jesus lived in and how it affected his ministry. Reflect on examples of Jesus drawing on his environment for illustrations and inspiration.
Monday: Pick up at least one piece of litter and put it in the bin.
Tuesday: Re-wear clothes which aren’t dirty and only run your washing machine when you have a full load.
Wednesday: Find ways to save paper. Do you really need to check your e-mail today? If so, don’t print them off.
Thursday: Check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure means high energy/fuel consumption.
Friday: Put out some bird food. Birds will almost certainly find it wherever the location.
Saturday: Utilize local shops or farmers markets if available instead of driving to the supermarket.
Week 5
Sunday: Think prayerfully about how we are using up our resources at an unsustainable rate and what this means for future generations. Reflect on the fact that the richest 20 percent of the world’s population consume 80 percent of its resources while the remaining 80 percent of people have to make do with the remaining 20 percent.
Monday: Pray for wisdom to know how to live in the light of so much inequality.
Tuesday: Go meat free for the day and reflect on the killing of animals for food.
Wednesday: Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth and put the plug in when you wash your face.
Thursday: Lay aside time to explore in more depth the environmental challenges we face and their consequences (e.g. on the Internet or other media sources).
Friday: See what chemicals you have stored up in your cupboards. Dispose of those which are harmful to the environment appropriately and replace them with eco-friendly products if necessary.
Saturday: Use “gray” water from a water butt to wash your car. If there’s none available then use a bucket rather than a hose.
Week 6
Sunday: The Earth was made through and for Jesus. How do you think he would judge the way we live in it today? Take time to reflect on this both globally and personally.
Monday: Stop unwanted junk mail by registering at www.the-dma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html.
Tuesday: Replenish the bird food you put out and put up a bird box if possible.
Wednesday: When dusting, avoid using polishes. Just a cloth or duster will often do.
Thursday: Put lids on pans when cooking and use a kettle rather than a pan to boil water.
Friday: Consider joining an environmental organization like Friends of the Earth, WWF, Greenpeace, Christian Ecology Link or A Rocha. Christian Aid and Tearfund are also focusing increasingly on environmental issues.
Saturday: Invest in at least one energy saving light bulb. You could also consider investing in some rechargeable batteries.
Week 7
Sunday: Think about the role of your church within its local environment. Is there anything that could be done to make it more environmentally friendly?
Monday: Are you sure you are recycling everything possible? Have another check.
Tuesday: If you’re planning to go on holiday this year, begin to explore how you can make it “greener.”
Wednesday: Take time to write to a public official on an issue of justice about which you feel strongly.
Maundy Thursday: Replace the light bulb you removed on Ash Wednesday with a low energy bulb. While doing this, take the time to make a personal pledge to serve others by pursuing a more sustainable way of life.
Good Friday: Darkness covered the earth on the first Good Friday. Switching off all the lights, sit yourself in darkness for a while. Meditate in and on the darkness. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23