The scriptures begin with God’s affirmation that all of creation is “very good” (Genesis 1:31) As co-creatures and caretakers of God’s creation human beings are called to protect and nurture its goodness. (Genesis 2:15, Jeremiah 29:5-7). The Hebrew scriptures suggested that on the seventh day of the week God’s peoples were free from the needs to produce or consumer So there is time to support nature
The focus this year moves to caring for the plot of nature at your home or subdivision.
Send us your pictures and a description of your activities during the season
1. Plant new trees and flowers. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees help us breathe clean air. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Say a prayer for creation as you do. Doing this helps to affirm your commitment to creation
2 Create a sweep of trash in your subdivision. Even in the time of Covid neighbors can do this together and maintain social distancing. The neighborhood will look better . Many of the wastes you find represents greenhouse gases emitted previously by manufacturing.
3. Create a buffer zone.
Leave a border of land along the edge of your garden, walkways or car park that you do not mow or landscape so that wild grasses, local plants and wild flowers can grow. Or, conserve a natural area around existing trees or bushes where you allow undergrowth to develop, and let leaves and tree limbs fall and decompose naturally
Natural buffer-zones promote the diversity of flora, which hold topsoil, and water. Wild plants and flowers will attract a variety of pollinators such as butterflies or bees, which increases the health and fruitfulness of the plants, which attract local birds. The roots, leaves, and fallen limbs of undisturbed plants provide shelter for insects and small mammals. The animal waste, along with fallen and decomposing limbs and leaves return nutrients to the soil, which nourishes the health of the entire ecosystem beyond the buffer zone
4. Feed the birds and other wild life. Can you identify unique birds who visit your home ?
5. Do your part to reduce climate change
A. Recycle more. You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.
B. Turn off electronic devices. Simply turning them off when you are not using them can save thousands of pounds of CO2 a year
C. Shift your practices – Choose whole wheat over white bread, tap water over bottled water, reusable bags over single use bags, reduce the meat in our diet and buy more vegetables from the farmers market . You could easily save what is absorbed by over 40 trees
D. Reduce use of single use plastics – Single-use plastics are plastic items that are only intended to be used once, such as soft-drink bottles. The most common items include disposable cups, bottles, non-recyclable packaging, wipes
E. Reduce energy use – Develop a plan to reduce daily electricity use around your home Run the dishwasher less frequently, check your water heater temperature Adjust your thermostat. Walk when you can instead of driving.,