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I have no idea why I’m writing an Earth Day post. It’s not likely that this will be the first one you will read, if you spend any time at all in the blogosphere. But over the past year I’ve been taking more intentional steps to take better care of our home.
I’ve already mentioned our garden a few times. It’s been growing, especially the cucumber and tomato plant (which is already about 1/3 to half it’s full size).
I wish I could show you pictures, but that’s what I get for having supervised-visitation only with my plants (I joke that I feel like I don’t have custody of them as I haven’t yet moved in with Jen).
You’ll just have to picture growing plants (except for the mint which I apparently killed by burying the seeds WAY too deep).
Another thing that I’ve finally gotten good about it using reusuable shopping bags. I’ve only gotten a few eye rolls from cashiers (that used to be me, so I understand), but it’s worth it on many levels. I wish I could tell you my primary motivation for this is creation care, but that’s secondary. I really just hate having to mess with plastic bags.
I’ve also been working on water usage. Still haven’t figured out how to help with the garden water, but I have figured out that I don’t need to run the shower while I’m shaving my legs. Saves gallons of water, especially when it’s been a while since the last time I shaved (I apologize for any men reading this!).
I’m not trying these things because being green is in. I’m doing them because I believe that as a Christian I’m called to be a good steward of everything God has given me, not just my time and money. And that includes this beautiful planet God has given us for a home.
I’ve still have got a lot to learn. That’s why I’m excited to read Green Like God which I just ordered from Amazon. I heard about it on Carol’s blog, got excited about it, and then realized I knew who the author was, as he was a student at Southeastern when I was.
Even a global warming skeptic like me can take steps to take care of the Earth.
Have any more suggestions?
Photo by cygnus921
Hey, who shaves thru the winter anyway?! ;)
One thing I’ve heard of doing is putting a bucket in the bath or sink and filling it while waiting for the water to get hot. You can then use that water for plants, gardens etc. (I don’t do that now because our bath is right by the water heater and we get immediate hot water! But I will begin doing it when we get our own place in a couple of months.)
Mine is just an obvious one, recycling. The city where I live provides free recycling bins, yet most of my neighbors don’t use them. I can’t imagine the amount of garbage being put in a landfill…it makes me sick. Since the bins are free, I can’t imagine why my neighbors wouldn’t recycle.
Riley has really gotten on board with rain barrels. They capture rain (aptly named, no?), which you can then use to put on your garden. Saves money, and the earth! The best part: the barrels are recycled containers from soda factories.
Let me know how you like the book. I tend to roll my eyes at Earth Day because at its root it seems to earth-focused, as in Mother Earth worship. Sometimes it is subtle but it is there. I agree that we should naturally want to be good stewards of what God has given us.
Water that you boil pasta, vegetables, or rice in is GREAT for your garden! Just let it cool first. Also, you could start a compost bin. It saves trash and makes better use of the food you don’t eat. My parents recycle all their aluminum cans. Every year here there’s a time where you can turn in all the cans you’ve saved for recycling for money (I’m sure they have these elsewhere). This year my parents made $70 off their cans…five cents a can I think.
WAY BACK WHEN I was a little girl…my mother caught rain water in buckets…then strained it…heated it and we used to wash our hair…we didn’t wash hair every day like we do now. She would be pleased to know she was “hep”.
I think caring for the environment and the planet we live on transcends any religious beliefs or lack of them. The more the merrier… I mean; what harm can it do?! :)
Brenda: I’ve heard of that. Don’t know that I’ll do that when I move in, as my shower is upstairs, but maybe I can convince my roommate?
Kathie: That is an obvious one! I wrote this hastily and it shows. I have started recycling in the past year or so. It’s a bit of a pain since we currently live in an apartment complex and they only provide facilities for recycling glass and cardboard. I look forward to living in a house when they pick all of it up door-to-door!
Amanda: I’ve thought about that. I’m not willing to invest in a rain barrel for a house that’s not mine, but I’ll try to encourage my roomie to get one!
Cheryl: I’ve seen some of that, but I’ve been more concerned with seeing people get super excited about saving the planet but won’t do a thing to stop killing humans (ending abortion, feeding the hungry).
Liz: I’ve heard that too…will have to try that out after I move.
G. Zoe: Oh, how things come around!
Matthew: Yes, it should, but unfortunately evangelical Christians haven’t been keeping up with the rest…and we’re the ones who believe GOD has mandated us to care for the earth!
Yay, Ronnica! This may sound weird, but I find by doing “green” things, it helps me feel more connected to the people of the world, and to the future. And I just hate to be wasteful. Even if one day they discover that plastic is super-awesome and the greatest thing ever for the earth, I still wouldn’t want to live a disposable life…
Yes! Amen, and I agree with your goal in wanting to be “green.” I try my best to recycle and use reusable shopping bags. But it’s because I want to be a good steward of what God has given to me and not for fear of global warming.
Hope you have a good visit with your plants when next you see them. ;)
Wait, you don’t think there is Global Warming?? I am confused. If you have any doubts that global warming is real, you need to visit 350.org. It explains everything!
I think you are making great environmental steps- go you for helping the planet =)
Use recycled toilet paper that has been packed flat. Re-cycled anything is good. Eat food produced nearby; have one or two vegetarian food days a week.
You’ve made a good start! Especially by NOT using plastic shopping bags.
Cammy: I should have been clear about that. I’m not as skeptical about global warming (though I do have my doubts) as I am about *human caused* global warming. I think it’s foolish and man-centered to assume that WE are causing climate change when the earth has always gone through temperature flux. That said, I know that we’re treating the planet horribly, and that needs to change.
Lady Fi: I use meat in my breakfast and occasionally lunch for the protein, but I actually prefer meatless dinners. They’re cheaper, easier, and actually more delicious.
I’ll be starting the book later today. I think it’s important for Christians to realize that the earth, plants, animals, everything belong to God and we are caretakers. Of course, I’m just getting into the idea, some recycling, reuseable bags, that kind of thing. I’m thinking of setting up a rain barrel this year for watering our garden.
Yay for the earth! I am so jealous of your garden. I wish that I lived someplace large enough to have one of my own.
Well, you’re doing your part, correctamundo? I, however, am the devil incarnate. I have about 150 student essays today. I think we managed to ravage an entire forest…
Carol: I’m new to this as well (the past year or so). Don’t know why it took me so long to wake up.
Caity: I’ve been wanting to this now for a few years, so I’m glad I’ll be in a place to do it!
Melissa: Soon education will catch up technologically. It’s about time that they allow for online essay submission/tests!
I don’t have anything to add, because everyone has already suggested what I was going to suggest! I am very happy with myself because I have us down to only 2 bags of trash a week that goes to the dump. Otherwise, we recycle everything….plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, clothes, etc.
Jacki: That’s great! That’s about how much trash we have, but there is only 2 of us.
Where I live, people get eye-rolled if they DON’T bring reusable shopping bags!
Mrs. Mouthy: That’s awesome…I’ve looked around, and I’m still in the minority here in North Carolina, but it’s a larger minority than it’s ever been!