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The things we can do
individually and the
things that require
group action are
both necessary if we
going are to take
better care of the
environment. Every
day is a perfect
time to look at
changes you can make
in your life and to
think about the
environmental needs
in your community.
It
begins with me
Begin by looking
at your personal
activities and
actions. Do you walk
or take public
transportation
instead of drive when
possible? Does your
home have
energy-saving light
bulbs in at least
five of your
most-used lighting
fixtures? Is
recycling a routine
part of your life?
Have you stopped
using your toilet as
a wastebasket? Is
your water heater set
a little lower, at an
energy-saving level?
Does the boat you use
leave a trail of oil
in the water?
Rather than list here
all the things you
can do personally to
care for the
environment, we
invite you to check
into the
numerous resources
available on the
Internet. Two
important sites are
listed below. (We
also has some tips on
our Web site. See
links at left.)
Take
the quiz at
www.myfootprint.org
to see what impact
your personal
decisions and
activities have on
the global community.
For example, "one
footprint"
learned that if the
entire world
population were to
have her current
lifestyle, it would
take 5.1 planets to
provide for the
entire world. What a
shock! It motivated
her to make some
changes. Your
"footprint" may be
higher or lower,
depending on your
lifestyle.
While you’re at
myfootprint.org,
check out their list
of resources on what
you can do to help
make Earth a more
sustainable planet.
The New American
Dream Web site (www.newdream.org/cnad/user/turn_the_tide.php) encourages
us to live
consciously, buy
wisely, and make a
difference. It offers
ten tips on what you
can do to "turn the
tide."
It
takes all of us
At the 2005
Triennial Convention,
delegates took action
that asked Women of
the ELCA to promote
awareness on water
issues and encouraged
synodical women’s
organizations to make
awareness of local
and regional water
issues a priority.
This is an issue that
will take the energy
and effort of all of
us. Visit the
water page to
read suggestions on
how to get started.
Act
boldly
Go to the Environmental Stewardship conference on the Women of the ELCA discussion board
to share your individual and group plans for lifestyle changes
this year. Be sure to tell us what resource-saving practices you’ve been engaged in over the years also. Your ideas might be
exactly what someone else is looking
for.
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