“To Yahweh belong earth and all it holds, the world and all who live in it”
Psalm 24:1
“Climate change …A powerful message – spoken in the language of fires, floods, droughts and extinctions – telling us that we need an entirely new economic model and a new way of sharing this planet.”
Naomi Klein ‘This Changes Everything’
“….it is we human beings above all who need to change”
Laudato Si Pope Francis
In line with meeting point 7 Council of the Family we have been thinking about ways in which we can do our bit for protection of life and the environment. Efforts can be made at the level of the individual, the community and nationally. I’m going to focus on what we can do as individuals.
RECYCLE
I offer a challenge to myself and you who are reading this article. When you can spare an hour or so would you choose some area of your home e.g. a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bookcase, cupboard or even just a drawer if you are pressed for time? Would you take each item from that space, look at it and ask yourself will I wear or use this again? If the answer is no and the item is in reasonably good condition think of who else might use or wear it – family member, friend, or someone in the community through a local charity shop.
REUSE
If the item is too big, too small or out of fashion would you change the buttons, alter the hem or seams? If an item is broken, is it possible to have it repaired, repainted, reupholstered or recovered?
REDUCE
A couple of years ago I needed string and couldn’t find any in the house. I bought a new ball of string and a few days later found the old ball. Now I have enough string to last a few lifetimes. I am trying to organize so I know what I have and avoid buying unnecessary items.
UPCYCLE
Gifts that we won’t use can be regifted or passed on to charity. The stack of paper/plastic shopping bags? Charity shops are glad to get them. A friend who was given a council house after 12 years on the waiting list was able to furnish it almost entirely from free online sites. All she had to do was collect it. Furniture in good condition that you no longer want can be offered via for example Trash Nothing. Certain St. Vincent de Paul shops will accept used furniture.
If the wooden furniture is riddled with woodworm? You may know someone with a wood burning stove who would be glad of it or it could be broken up and laid in the corner of the garden as shelter for insects.
BIODOVERSITY
Speaking of the garden: Did you know that moss is a highly effective carbon sink? Mosses store roughly 6.43 billion tonnes of carbon globally. A small moss lawn can absorb more carbon than 275 small trees. Habitat is one of the biggest challenges for animals and birds. Could part of your garden be given over to meadow? Meadow/wildflower areas help to provide habitat and food for wildlife, bees and insects. If you have suitable ground think about planting native trees and flowers. Leave leaf mould and garden clippings in a corner for insects. If you can, incorporate a pond or water feature for wildlife. A pristine lawn is a kind of green desert as far as wildlife is concerned. Wait to cut the dandelions until they have finished flowering.
When I think of it I leave a basin on the floor of the shower and use the collected water to flush the toilet. Waste kitchen water can be used in the garden.
There are many many ways in which we as individuals can help to protect this planet. Walk, cycle or use public transport rather than the car if you can. I would like to follow the objective of commitment number 3 (Meeting Point 7) “Lead a simple and austere lifestyle, encouraging the ‘ethic of enough’ and avoiding waste.”
Anne Doyle, HF Lay Member