What do people in the pews need to address creation justice? Information, ideas and inspiration to take action!

• Pray with gratitude for the blue sky and green plants you see, the birds you hear, the safe water you taste and the fresh air you feel and breathe. Pray for God to help us slow down when the pandemic leaves and enable us to lighten our corporate and personal practices so that the earth will heal and flourish.
• Likely you already know and do Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Go beyond that with the new 3Rs: Refuse (say no to single-use plastics, for example), Repair (rather than throw away something, see if it can be fixed) and Rot (food scraps, yard refuse, even lint from natural fabrics, which can turn into great soil if composted).
• Lobby your elected officials to support legislation that reduces carbon pollution. Reach out to federal, state, and local lawmakers. Enlist your networks in the task. Share what you are doing on your social media. Encourage others to act.
• New reusable products made of beeswax become an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for keeping food fresh. Check out the options on the internet.
• Go “low flow”! Drought is a by-product of climate change. Conserve water by installing low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators. Or place a jug of water or sand or a brick or two in the toilet tank to lower the amount of water used.
• Cattle contribute to global warming both through their methane “burps” and through the farming practices that deforest the land for the use of the livestock. Switch to ground turkey for burgers, meatloaf and other dishes that traditionally have called for beef. Tastes good, and it’s better for the earth.
• The COVID-19 experience has shown that many of the people who face increased danger from the pandemic because they are essential to society are those with the least resources. The same is and will be true about people affected by climate change. The time to speak up and work for justice is now while those who are essential are so visible.
• Install one or more rain barrels to catch the runoff from your gutters. You can save it for a non-rainy day and water your garden when needed. Many local county and municipal governments, as well as environmental agencies, distribute rain barrels inexpensively.
• Three big threes: 1) Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide make up greenhouse gas emissions; 2) emissions, deforestation and food waste (both systems and personal) are top contributors to climate change; and 3) viewing life through the lens of climate justice, making changes both large and small, and speaking up to others are key ways to address the problems.

“We urge United Methodists to adopt sustainable habits and practices, including refraining from overconsumption, repurposing and recycling materials, avoiding products that pollute or otherwise harm the environment and reducing the carbon footprints of individuals and families by reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels for heat, transportation, and other goods.” —UM Social Principles