Join GWIPL and others in our region in committing
to the Lenten Carbon Fast
Click here to Sign up!
Click here to download a copy to distribute to your community!

How do I make a Carbon Fast a religious practice/ spiritual discipline?
Pray. Of course you can also study scripture, study other writings from accross the centuries, and more, but prayer can provide connection to God and all of creation as you engage in reducing you carbon footprint. Pray for the earth and all the earth's inhabitants, especially the poor and marginalized who will be affected the most by the consequences of global warming.

Ideas for your Carbon Fast

• Pray every day.
• Keep a journal of my carbon usage and prayerfully consider possibilities to reduce my carbon footprint.
• Stay informed about climate policy at the local level and contact my legislators. For current legislation and more info, go to www.chesapeakeclimate.org
• Read a relevant religious-based book. For ideas, visit GWIPL's book page.
• Take public transportation, walk, bike or carpool to church.
• Plan an Earth Day(April 22) worship service and/or activities for my church.
• Coordinate on zero-trash coffee hour during Lent for my congregation.
• Calculate my carbon footprint and prayerfully implement suggested changes. Go to a carbon calculator.
• Donate CFLs for distribution to low-income families. Buy discounted bulbs.
• Buy clean energy for the Lenten period or the year. Learn more.
• Eat one meal a week from locally produced foods.
• Take shorter or less showers.
• Turn down the heat and put on a sweater.
• Change 5 light bulbs to high efficiency CFLs. Learn more or buy discounted bulbs.
• Turn off the TV for all of Lent.

Let us know what you're doing: Click here to Sign up!

From One Signing on to the Carbon Fast

Bishop James Jones tells area clergy how his Diocese has engaged in carbon cutting activities.

After years of engaging in rather minor spiritual disciplines during Lent, I want to do something that stretches my spiritual growth this year during this period before Easter. After hearing Bishop Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (Church of England) speak at a GWIPL-sponsored event in October, the idea of a carbon fast for Lent really stuck with me. I rent an apartment, with utilities included, so I'm never sure about the impact of my actions around the home. But surely I can take the time to say a prayer for the earth and those affected by environmental racism every time I turn off a light or hang up clothes instead of putting them into the dryer. And maybe I can give up some sleep time on Sunday mornings and catch the Metro to church. I have a few days left to decide what else I'll do - I invite you to consider the same. - T.C. Morrow, Green Mission co-leader at Foundry United Methodist Church

Let us know what you're doing: Click here to join GWIPL's 2008 Carbon Fast!

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