As our inner work seeks outward expression, we provide a practical and manageable series of escalating steps in action for Creation justice across energy usage, food, transportation, and care for the environment. We hope that these adaptable specific actions will enable Episcopal communities to set and reach their necessary goals toward reaching our Church’s goal of net carbon neutrality by 2030. Toward these ends, we rely on our partnerships with outside organizations such as Interfaith Power & Light and encourage participation in existing Episcopal programs such as “Good News Gardens” and “Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home.”
We also encourage our parishes to think of climate action as an intersection of creation care, reconciliation, and evangelism as concern grows outside our church and with young people. As we recruit and support volunteers from the communities surrounding our parishes, we envision that this work will expand the understanding and appreciation of the church’s role in both effecting justice and creating community connection.
ENERGY
PREPARE
Conduct a building energy audit with your utility and/or Mass Interfaith Power & Light, report results to the congregation, and start tracking for change.
Reduce energy waste (adjust): unplug unused devices in the office; turn down the water heater; schedule regular HVAC cleaning; replace all light bulbs with LEDs.
GROW
Apply to become a “Cool Congregation” through Interfaith Power and Light.
Reduce energy waste (facility): add/upgrade building insulation; add/upgrade pipe/duct insulation; replace inefficient windows/doors; replace inefficient appliances; replace inefficient toilets.
PLANT
Develop a 7-year plan to become a Net Zero physical plant, and encourage parishioners to do the same. Plan upfront investment for long-term gain.
Reduce energy waste (upgrade): install energy-efficient power strips; install and use smart thermostats; install low-flow faucet aerators; replace all light fixtures with LEDs; install sensors & timers on lights; install timer on water heater.
HARVEST
Lease or purchase solar panels; or purchase 100% green electricity from renewable energy aggregation projects in New England.
Replace inefficient or fossil-fuel heating, air, and water systems with efficient electric systems (air or ground source heat pump).
CONSUMPTION AND WASTE
PREPARE
Recycle paper, bottles, and cans.
Create an electronic newsletter option to reduce paper and encourage the use of opt-out services to reduce junk mail.
Shift to Fair Trade and sustainably sourced or local products.
GROW
Make a parish policy to repair rather than replace and/or purchase second-hand whenever possible, and encourage/support parishioners to do the same.
Compost church waste; encourage home composting.
Set a goal of serving only vegetarian food at church gatherings. Encourage individuals and households to embrace a plant-based diet or to consume a reduced (1/week) amount of meat that is grown locally.
Encourage purchasing meat directly from the farmer.
PLANT
Cut down or eliminate consumable items, especially those that are non-biodegradable or fossil-fuel based.
Eliminate the use of disposables (utensils, plates, napkins, some cups) and replace with durable items or 100% compostable alternatives.
Shift to environmentally-sensitive cleaning products.
HARVEST
Make a parish policy to prioritize purchasing long-lasting, maintainable items.
Organize a churchwide exchange program of items like clothing, household goods, toys, books, etc.
As much as possible, source bread, wine, and all food consumed at parish functions to only local (within a 100-mile radius), small farms/growers that are organic, non-GMO, and regenerative. Encourage parishioners to do the same.
LAND
PREPARE
Inventory plants to identify non-natives and invasives.
Collect rainwater in rain barrels for outdoor watering as permitted by local ordinances.
GROW
Utilize xeriscaping for lawns and landscaping to reduce size of lawns with native grasses and plants that require less water and store more carbon.
Purchase and use (or require contractor use of) hand or electric-powered lawn, garden, and snow-blowing equipment.
Organize tree planting in environmentally stressed areas.
PLANT
Replace non-native and invasive plants with appropriate alternatives.
Develop a butterfly/pollinator highway or an organic garden and share your harvest with the congregation.
Shift to organic lawn treatments and native grasses and plants.
HARVEST
Plant trees next to your building – evergreen on the north and east to break cold winds and deciduous on the south and west to provide cooling shade.
Consider shifting memorial gardens etc. to pollinator annuals along with fruit, nut, and berry trees. Distribute produce to the community as a sign of resurrection.
Organize a community organic garden as part of the "Good News Gardens" program and share produce with the food pantry.
TRANSPORTATION
PREPARE
Organize a carbon-reduction Sunday to walk/bike/carpool or take public transportation to church.
Promote walking and biking.
GROW
Make a parish policy not to pay for airline use outside of emergencies.
Install EV charging stations.
Encourage parishioners to commit to a routine weekly non-driving Sabbath.
PLANT
Install bike racks at church.
HARVEST
Ask for commitments as a congregation to avoid air travel for vacations or routine travel, and use it only for emergencies and work-requirements.
Encourage members to switch to all-electric vehicles, carshare, or use public transit for most uses.
CLIMATE DISASTER RESPONSE
PREPARE
Identify a climate disaster response coordinator for your parish.
Gather information on climate models and projected trends to determine the likely impact of people moving to or from your area.
GROW
Participate with local/regional training programs for emergency response and resilience.
Set up a Relief Station.
HARVEST
Set up an Emergency Center (provide a place with housing, food, etc; future dream).
FINANCES
PREPARE
Dedicate your energy use savings for future “green” improvements.
Begin conversations with members and leaders about divestment of church funds from fossil fuel exploration and extraction and other environment-sensitive investments.
GROW
Commit 10% of the parish budget to climate/creation.
Transfer all parish funds to financial entities that support climate action and are not contributing to fossil fuels.
PLANT
Commit a percentage of parish budget to climate/creation.
HARVEST
Fundraise an endowment for Creation.
Complete your congregation’s divestment from fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and refinement, while encouraging other organizations to consider taking such a step.