Be A Deep Green Family
February 21, 2008
Being green is not a fad, not a fashion. It’s not about politics or posturing. It’s about caring for creation in a way that’s deeply rooted in faith. Here are ten ideas for your family:
* Give Thanks
Thank God for his beautiful creation, and ask for his help to care for it.
* Go Deep
Read what God’s word says about caring for creation and the people who depend on it at CreationCare.org.
* Recycle
Everyone in the family can help. Paper, cans, bottles, jars. Batteries, chemicals, paint. Find out what you can recycle at your curbside, and for everything else, go to Earth911.org.
* Get out!
Spend at least an hour a day outside. Turn off the TV, computer, and video games and encourage your kids have more “green time” than “screen time”. For ideas about what to do once you’re outside, go to DeepGreenConversation.org!
* Save energy
Turn off lights when leaving a room, buy EnergyStar appliances, and turn the thermostat down in winter, and up in summer. Use your ceiling fans. Find more energy-saving tips here at PowerIsInYourHands.
* Do a home energy audit
Let the kids help do a home energy audit, based on your last 12 months of utility bills. Then get recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient with Yardstick and Home Advisor.
* Garden for Wildlife
Invite creation to your yard by creating a backyard wildlife habitat. Suggestions for plants and garden plans that attract butterflies and birds to your yard can be found at ABNativePlants.com.
* Combine trips
Poll the family before heading out in the car to see how trips can be combined. Keep a list of all your errands in one place, and don’t leave until you have a few.
* Light the way to a new energy future
Use compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps and save real money, while reducing pollution from power plants. Recycle your old lamps rather than throw them away - go to LampRecycle.org to find out how.
* Read up
Become a supporter of the Evangelical Environmental Network and get four issues of Creation Care magazine each year, to keep you up-to-date and down-to-earth. Visit CreationCare.org for more information.
Finally, inspire others - log on to DeepGreenConversation.org to post ideas, ask questions, or encourage others to be deep green.
