Assess
Called in Genesis to be stewards or care-givers of the world, many parishes and schools serve those in need by going on mission trips, serving lunches in soup kitchens, visiting nursing homes, advocating for justice, and more. Some even preach or teach about the environment and our duties here, but how many of our parishes and schools are green? How many youth ministries focus on energy conservation and recycling when they meet? How many church or youth socials center on the need to reduce waste or reuse materials like poster board and decorations?
Our faith calls us to reflect, to asses our individual and community behaviors and attitudes, so that the entire human family may have the basic requirements for a healthy life: nourishing food, sound shelter, clean water, and a safe environment.
Suggestions For Assessing Your Environmental Impact
The following suggestions are from a long-time parish youth minister who has not always been aware of or active with climate needs. There are some very simple but effective ways that we have discovered to reduce our daily impact on the environment.
Know Your Number: What's Your Carbon Footprint?
- EPA: What are Greenhouse Gases?
- Calculate Your Impact: EPA Kids Site
- EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator
- FAQs: EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator
- Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick
Resources
As we were making 500 lunches to take to the streets of the city during our monthly homeless outreach, a young woman made a comment that ever so slightly but still significantly changed this important ministry. She said, "I am glad we do this but why don’t we recycle the peanut butter and jelly jars?" You see, we had gotten involved in providing a basic need, but had forgotten another.
Soon after that Sunday, we not only became more conscious of "throwaways" while reaching out, but also how we can contribute as a youth ministry to respecting God’s creation.