21/01/2025
Please see the message below from our Eco Team 🌍
While the problems of climate change and biodiversity loss need to be
addressed at an international and national level, individual personal choices
can make some difference, can help to raise awareness and can contribute to
changing opinion within society.
Some of the options that may be relatively simple to adopt may also save
money – though not always the case.
People are encouraged to consider
• Reduction in car use - Transport accounts for a fifth of all global carbon
dioxide emissions (a major “greenhouse gas”), with passenger vehicles
contributing to nearly half of that figure. Motorised transport, of all types, is
heavily fossil-fuel dependent.
• Reduction in personal energy consumption - With a little thought we can
reduce our energy consumption, reduce our personal carbon impact and save
money, without any significant impact on our lifestyles. Pay attention to the
impact of technology use in your lifestyle.
• Following the principles of reduce, re-use, recycle - The natural world
reminds us that nothing is wasted in creation. Autumn leaves become spring’s
fertile mulch and fallen trees rot to provide homes for insects and return
nutrients to the soil. Every element has a fruitful role. Yet in the UK we still buy
and throw away an average of half a tonne of waste per year. To reduce
waste, we need to tackle both ends of the cycle; to both buy less and recycle
more. It is both a technical exercise and a spiritual discipline.
• Consumption choices – Whenever we buy goods, the money we spend is
split across the supplier chain - from the producer to the point of sale. We
would like that money to be shared fairly across the chain and result in a fair
price to us too. We also want to know that workers have safe working
conditions and are being treated well. There are a few well-recognised
certifications. In looking for international products which are fairly traded and
ethically sourced, seek out those which have the Fairtrade ‘mark’ or the
Rainforest Alliance ‘seal’. At home we can also choose to use food that is
• Locally-grown
• Organic
• Animal-friendly (in production methods)
• Fairtade
(conveniently remembered as LOAF)
Text largely from the Resources on the Eco Church website at
https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/resources/
An A Rocha UK Project
