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What you will find on this section:
Our Challenge at LRC.
Energy Stewards Initiaitve: For congregations to participate in an LRC online program to reduce energy use.
Cool Congregation Program: A program of the Interfaith Poer and Light to reduce energy use in member homes.
ELCA Resources: for lowering your carbon footprint.
ELCA and Synod Resolutions: Calling for energy reduction to help restore God's Creation
Information and Resources on Climate Change.
Our Challenge
Lutherans Restoring Creation is dedicated to lowering our collective ELCA "carbon footprint" throughout the institutions of the ELCA, and to encourage similar steps by members in their homes. Climate change is seen by many as one of the defining issues of our time. We might think of it as our "21st century Deuteronomy 30:19 moment" ...
"I call heaven and Earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendents may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)
We believe we need to act significantly, cooperatively, and urgently to take steps to address this problem, which so threatens creation and is also already affecting many human communities least able to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
There are currently a number of efforts underway to both challenge, and assist, ELCA members in this endeavor. For example, a shared "Energy Stewardship" resolution was brought before 10 synods of the ELCA in assemblies in 2010, and to another 5 in 2011. We are thrilled to share that a form of this resolution was approved, with good support, in all of them! See the other materials, blog, and links on this page for further information. We look forward to your questions, comments, and participation. If your congregation or synod team would like to join in this effort, leave us a note on the blog or email Mary Minette at Mary.Minette@elca.org.
Read the Vision & Mission Statement for the Lutherans Restoring Creation regarding our commitment to reduce energy use.
ELCA Resources on Global Climate Change
From links below, see especially "Poverty and Hunger in a Changing Climate," and the DVD about the ELCA study trip to Nicaragua (Jan 09), "Climate Change and Hunger in Nicaragua," with accompanying discussion guide "As long as the earth endures."
These materials offer a helpful way to engage congregants in thoughtful discussion that can lead to practical actions. The DVD (10 min) uses the witness from Nicaragua as just one real-world example to demonstrate how climate change, poverty, and hunger are closely linked in many areas in the world; and it calls us to reflect upon just what "accompaniment" means, in an era of climate change.
See also the great materials at www.elca.org/hunger (browse the Resources section).
**Do an Assessment of your Carbon Footprint
Whether you are dealing with a church building, home, office, or a seminary or college, you can become more aware of what personal impact you are having on global
climate change, through measuing the level of carbon emissions from your use of energy.
These tool(s) will help to you to take a baseline measurement to (1) assess where you're at currently, and (2) help you to then track your subsequent energy use savings, as you make changes to incorporate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and cleaner energy choices. You could think of it as being like stepping on a scale to measure your weight, and then setting a goal for a healthier diet.We suggest that you use the method on the following web site: Suggested Interim method: www.coolcongregations.com
And, here is a "carbon diet" book that may be helpful (and fun) to use:
Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds
By David Gershon, 2006, Empowerment Institute
Find a timeline of the ELCA's involvement in this and other environmental issues. Find background on the ELCA Consultation on Climate Change "Consultation" Formation of LC3 and list of participants in the Jan 2010 Consultation, working groups, etc.
Information and Resources
ELCA Resolutions and those of Other Denominations.
A collection of resolutions from synods in the ELCA and by other denominations, on earthkeeping and/or specifically regarding climate change (here). Books and Films on Global Warming
Consider reading or seeing these books and films as individuals or in study groups. Please send your suggestions for books or films to: Rob Saler at rsaler@lstc.edu. Thank you. Metro Chicago Rotating Loan Fund Tree Planting Challenge We encourage you as individuals or as congregations to embrace a challenge to plant trees as a way to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Martin Luther was once asked what he would do if he knew the end of the world would be tomorrow and he replied, “I would plant a tree today.” As a commitment to our common life together, to our shared future, and for the sake of Earth Community, please consider the Tree Planting Challenge for your congregation. And take a look at some excellent resources from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund |