Some more thoughts from the BBC this week.
We have probably all heard of ‘carbon offsetting’; this is when businesses or individuals pay a levy for an activity which is known to produce CO2, and the money is used for a project to mitigate the effects. If we have flown in recent years we may have been offered such a scheme. However, it has been shown that at least some of these schemes are far from ‘green’. The accounting for the carbon effects may be inaccurate, and the trees planted may well have been put in places where the people need to grow food. The effect is that either the people go hungry, or the trees get chopped down before they can mature and have environmental benefit. We can hear all about it on Radio 4 File on 4: The carbon offset trap at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029hmm#main. The programme raises lots of important questions ,too , about the way in which the West is using the developing world to try to solve its problems. The conclusion must be that rather than using carbon offsets we should be trying to avoid the activities which create and emit the carbon in the first place
14/4/25
This week we share the April Eco-tip from the Methodist Church:
Celebrate Earth Day
April 22nd is Earth Day, and one of the ways in which the Church suggests that individuals can mark this is by making a commitment to changing to a greener energy supplier. We can read more about Earth Day on the Methodist website at https://www.methodist.org.uk/action/climate/monthly-eco-tip/#:~:text=Dear Lord and father of,have and we are sorry., and about Earth Day itself from https://www.earthday.org/#mainm .
21/4/25
This is not the place to enter into the debates on either side of the Birmingham bin dispute. However, we have all seen the images of the sacks piling up on the streets, and these are a graphic reminder of the vast amount of rubbish which households produce each week. Much of this ends up in landfill, or in incinerators many of which are highly polluting. The more we can reduce the amount of stuff coming into the house, the better, and importantly, we need to avoid items which carry unnecessary packaging. Let’s remember the mantra of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, and try to minimise the amount of waste which ends up in the bin, even in the recycling bin.
28/4/25
As we all have seen and heard the many tributes to the late Pope Francis, we will have heard much of him as ‘the people’s Pope’ And also of the Pope’s concern for the planet. As we give thanks for all his efforts to protect the environment, and to demonstrate simplicity of life, let us remember a few lines from his great encyclical Laudato Si:’
I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation.
We are all aware of the decrease in biodiversity in our surroundings. Among those places where we can monitor the plant and wildlife to be found are churchyards, and each year, there is an activity ‘Churches count on nature’ in which people are encouraged to help with counts in their local churchyard. You can find out more about this scheme at https://arocha.org.uk/event/churches-count-on-nature-2025/. This year, the count takes place from 7th-15th June. If there is such a churchyard in your neighbourhood, why not find out if they are involved, and help with the count. It would also be a good opportunity to meet others and perhaps to explore some local history.
12/5/25
Most of us have been amazed and fascinated over the years by the powerful programmes made by Sir David Attenborough,who is now in his hundredth year! His new film,Ocean, presents a powerful message about the state of our oceans, and the effects on them of industrial scale fishing. Yet he also offers some hope for the recovery of the oceans, if action is taken. The film is highly recommended in the media,but we can also read about its message at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0wjxg0ex1o.
We have experienced some very warm weather recently, and have heard frequent reports of the probability of a drought over the summer. We can all help this situation by trying to save water now. There are many things which we can do to help. Some of these are major projects like installing water meters, changing our flushes to dual -flush, and setting up water butts in the garden. However,there are many simple things which we can do at no cost, but which will make a significant difference. These include:-
Taking a shower rather than a bath, and keeping the shower down to a few minutes.
-leaving the washing of clothes and household linens for a little longer between each wash, and only washing things when they really need it.
-using washing up water for watering plants,
- If you have a car and it needs washing, it may well use less water if you take it to a car-wash. Many of these use recycled water,so it is worth checking out the local car-wash.If washing a car at home, using a bucket and sponge certainly uses less water than using a hosepipe.
Other water-saving tips will appear later!
June 7-8 will be the national Big Green Weekend, and there is lots going on in Chester. The events will be focussed around Town Hall Square and the Dean’s Field, with lots of exciting and interactive ways of exploring sustainability. There will be cycle rides, displays, workshops on growing your own foods and lots more. Find out about it at https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climate-emergency/stories/chester-green-weekend-2025-a-celebration-of-sustainability.
Find out what is happening in your area, and let others know. These events are fun, and also an important way of learning how we can all live more sustainably.
2/6/25
Hopefully, we have all found some ways of living more sustainably, whether perhaps by eating less meat, by finding ways of reducing our water and energy consumption, and by trying to eliminate our use of plastics. However, are our friends and wider families aware of the reasons for the choices we are making? Sometimes a gentle conversation can help others to start to review some aspects of their lifestyles, and to begin on their eco journey.
9/6/25
Cheshire and Merseyside have been in the news recently as areas of particular (and unusual) water shortage. So here are a few more ways of saving water:
-Rather than running the cold tap to get a glass of water, keep a jug or bottle in the fridge. That way, the water will be cold when you need it, without wastage.
-When washing up, use a bowl rather than filling the sink. If rinsing is needed, then have another bowl of clean water on the side, and use this. After washing up, this water can be put on the garden if you have one.
-Turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth. A lot of water runs to waste while we are brushing.
As we all try to live more sustainably, and to reduce our impact on our planet, let’s remind ourselves of the ambitious goals which the Methodist Church has set. We may not all read the Church website regularly, but one of its ‘headlines’ is:’
Net zero carbon emissions by 2030
Action for hope
The climate emergency is one of the most pressing concerns in the world today, but it is not merely a secular one. As Christians and Methodists we are called to care for God’s creation and challenge injustice, so climate concerns are inherently missional and part of our discipleship’ .( https://www.methodist.org.uk/)
Let’s all help the Church to fulfil its calling.
We all enjoy receiving photos from family and friends, and people are always ready to capture a moment or view. But have we thought about the huge data centres (aka ’the cloud’) where these images are stored, and the amount of energy these use? Even the pictures which are never shared have a significant carbon footprint if they remain on our phones.
An article from World Cleanup Day (link below) says ’ While the act of taking a photo has become effortless, the storage and maintenance of these digital memories come at a cost. The energy required to store and manage the colossal volume of photos on servers and data centres is substantial. A 2021 study showed that an average person takes almost 900 photos a year, while the unwanted images left in storage alone could accumulate 10.6 kg of CO2 emissions yearly. This amount is the equivalent of over 112,500 return flights from the UK to Australia.
Giving more examples, approximately 100 photos and a couple of videos equate to the CO2 production of a 17 km drive by car. Can you do a quick comparison between how many photos are in your smartphone right now and the equivalent car drive in kilometres? That’s the carbon footprint of your gallery right there!’
The advice is to
-delete unwanted or low quality photos immediately
-make sure photos are dated
-Think before we click! More can be read about this at https://www.worldcleanupday.org/post/capturing-moments-consuming-energy-the-environmental-impact-of-photos
30/6/25
As we enter July, we are once again marking Plastic Free July. This is a world-wide movement which has now been running for several years. Its stated aim is ‘Each year, billions of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans, harming wildlife and polluting natural habitats. Plastic Free July highlights the urgent need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. By participating, individuals help drive change in consumer habits and influence businesses and governments to adopt more sustainable practices. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a cleaner, healthier planet. Each year, billions of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans, harming wildlife and polluting natural habitats. Plastic Free July highlights the urgent need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. By participating, individuals help drive change in consumer habits and influence businesses and governments to adopt more sustainable practices. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a cleaner, healthier planet.’. You can read much more about it athttps://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/plastic-free-july-2025/#content.
Each week we will suggest a small household action which can make a big difference, and we will not only concentrate on single -use plastics. We start off with our teeth!
Most toothpaste comes in plastic tubes. Have you ever thought how many tubes you have used in your life, and how much landfill they have taken up? By changing to toothpaste tablets, available from zero waste shops, from Lush, or online) all this plastic can be avoided. And if we use a bamboo toothbrush (now widely available), rather than a plastic one, that is more plastic avoided!
Continuing our theme for plastic -free July, we think this week about food storage, where one of the most ubiquitous forms of single use plastic is Clingfilm (various brands are available).
If storing food in the fridge, rather than using film, put the food in a lidded box, or simply cover the bowl with a plate. If storing in the freezer, wash and re-use the plastic bags which so often come with bread, and use these to wrap the food. If wanting to cover food which has been put out in advance on the table, simply use a tea-towel
When in the supermarket or a café, try to avoid goods which come wrapped in clingfilm; tell the staff why you are rejecting these.
14/7/25
Continuing our theme for plastic-free July, we think this week about cleaning.
We have mentioned before the benefits of using surface spray cleaners which come as tablets, and you simply fill up the bottle with water, and give it a shake. These are obtainable from sources such as Smol or Ocean Saver, and some supermarkets now sell their own brands. Floor cleaning liquids and other cleaners are also available in this form. These not only save on plastic, since your bottle is being used repeatedly, but they also save on the weight of liquids being transported around the country in the distribution chain. Of course, if you have a zero-waste shop in your area, then you can refill your bottles there.
Another way to reduce plastic is to avoid the single use cleaning wipes which are often used. Many of these contain micro-plastics. Simply use a spray cleaner and a washable dishcloth which can be used many times.
21/7/25
We move out into the garden this week for our theme of plastic-free July.
We may think of the garden as a natural place,without problems like plastic,but what about those millions of plastic plant pots which come from garden centres and supermarkets, or the twine and netting which we so freely use, or the plastic sacks of compost? There are many alternatives, and the RHS has produced a good guide to ways of avoiding plastic in the garden. You can find this at https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/get-gardening/how-to-go-plastic-free-in-your-gardent
27/7/25
Food waste has a huge carbon footprint, and in a world in which millions are starving, it must be seen as intolerable. We can help to avoid such waste by thoughtful shopping and by cooking only what we need- or by building up a repertoire of recipes to use up left-overs. When we are shopping, we can also help to reduce waste by buying ‘wonky’ vegetables and fruit. Some supermarkets now offer these at a reduced price, but there is no reduction in flavour. ‘Wonky’ veg are also available in some veg box schemes.