Eat more plant-based foods. We switched from dairy to soy yoghurt. We rarely eat meat, and never beef or lamb. Eat more local food to reduce transportation. [We subscribe to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) each summer and get a box of food every week.]
Stop eating red meat and dairy. Soy is an excellent replacement, but you will want to flavor it up.
Reduce or stop using dairy products. We changed to Silk soy yoghurt.
Walk or bicycle instead of motoring.
For longer trips, take the train instead of driving or flying.
A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has a battery large enough to travel about 30 miles and big enough (14 kWh) to heat my house in the morning. Charging this battery from solar panels during the day saves most of my electric load from the grid. This requires a way to get the power from the vehicle battery into the house -- not common yet, but possible with a separate high-capacity inverter. This is called Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. More: Vehicle-to-Grid technology. The solar panels planned for my roof would generate 3.5 kW. Over 4 hours of sunlight, the battery in the car would be fully charged.
Close accounts in big banks that lend to fossil fuel companies. I closed my account at Wells Fargo and bank exclusively at Centinel Bank of Taos.
Use an induction hot plate instead of your gas stove.
Use your microwave instead of gas oven.
Convert your home heating from natural gas or propane to heat pump plus solar panels.
Give away all that stuff that you have not used for two years or more.
Shop at Reneaux, CAV, or other consignment or thrift shops.
Stuf you can usually get at thrift shops: candles, planting pots, jars, mugs, glassware, food storage containers, vases, picture frames, seasonal decorations,
All products listed below are packaged with recyclable cardboard and use no plastic in their product.
Superzero.com: Shampoo and conditioner bars. The shampoo really lathers well.
Dropps.com: Laundry detergent and dishwasher pods. Their concentrated laundry detergent is a great stain buster.
BiteToothpasteBits.com: Toothpaste tablets. Crush the tablets with the front of your teeth, then brush. Deodorant and body lotion in refillable metal dispensers. The deodorant comes in three fragrances.
HoldOnBags.com: Compostable bags for trash and food storage.
StasherBag.com: Reusable silicone storage bags for everything.
TrueEarth.com: Laundry detergent sheets. These are great for travel. For front loading washers tear the sheets into smaller pieces and then place in the dispenser.
Dryer wool balls: Use these instead of dryer sheets.
Cleaning products:
Distilled vinegar, baking soda, peroxide, alcohol, and ammonia are all effective cleaning products. Research how various “recipes” can eliminate caustic cleaners. These are also easy on septic systems. Unfortunately, many of these products come in plastic containers.
Other ideas:
Check out Cid’s Market for items where you can bring your existing containers to refill.
Bring your own containers to fill with bulk food items.
You’re probably recycling wrong. This quiz will help you sort it out. Washington Post, April 20, 2023
Spruce up our courtyard, plant local perennials, and have an occasional service outdoors
Exterior areas need work — Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Day
Start Recycling plastic and aluminum
Have a courtyard “animal blessing” service
Use and maintain our compost areas
Use the raised beds for herbs and vegetables
Small signs above light switches “Please for Heaven’s sake turn off lights when not in use, Thank you!”
Baking & Grill Meat Cooperatives- Using St. James kitchens/courtyards to bake and prepare breads and meats for those participating.
Buy meat and staples in bulk a few times monthly for participants to bring their own containers
New committees: Green, Garden, Discussion Groups, Forest Ministry, Advocating for Legislation
Environmental liturgy and sermons/Celtic Saints/Mini-Retreats with this focus
Compost cardboard
Encourage use of reusable dishes and cups
Share service bulletins to print fewer bulletins
Organize Earth Day activities/Participate in Earth Day activities
Use roof drain water for gardens and landscaping
Try native plants/xeriscaping
Engage with other environmental groups locally
Holy Walks
Produce Shares
Pollinator Gardens
Talk openly about conservation and environmental issues
Consider Active Solar Panels (cross shaped panels) in Parking Lot visible to community
Provide educational opportunities throughout the year and share materials with the church in the bulletins and newsletters, as well as in various meetings or gatherings
Use Juniper instead of Palms for Easter Sunday
No plastics at Coffee Hour
Make use of Passive Solar in the new building
Educational Films
Inform
Sermons
Part of the Service
Prayers of the People
Celebrate St. Francis and other nature-minded saints
Rogation Days
Motion activated light and heat — especially the fan in the bathrooms
Building and Grounds Committees