9/12/24
If we are thinking about buying Christmas presents, then let’s make sure that they are not damaging to the planet. Let’s look for things that are genuinely useful to the recipient, and are made of sustainable materials. We can also try to avoid over-packaged items. Many charities offer ‘virtual’ gifts, such as those which can be obtained from Oxfam, Christian Aid, the
Woodland Trust and many others. An online search under ‘eco -friendly Christmas gifts’ will also find a wide variety of sustainable gifts, and if ordered now, we will still be in time.
16/12/24
If we are wrapping up presents , we can help the planet and save money by re-using wrapping paper which we received around gifts last year (or many years ago). If we use sticky tape frugally, (and non plastic versions are available) we make it easier for paper to be re-used, and. If we are buying wrapping, let’s try to ensure that it is paper, rather than plastic or foil. Paper is much
easier both to re-use and to re-cycle.
An alternative to paper wrappings is to use spare pieces of coloured cloth and tie the parcel with a ribbon. These wrappings can be used again and again.
27/12/24- for Wesley only.
The New Year approaches and maybe we are thinking about New Year resolutions. If we are, then let’s try to include some which affect our response to the climate crisis. These might
include something on our food choices, something on our reliance on fossil fuels, and perhaps something on ways in which we can share our concerns andattempted changes in lifestyle with others in the wider community. Those of us who have been reading Brian MacLaren’s book will certainly have been thinking about the challenges we face. Let’s make 2025 a green year.
6/1/25
Twelfth Night has now passed,so we have probably all taken down our Christmas decorations, and attempted to return to some sort of normality. But perhaps we have not yet completely sorted out all the remains of Christmas. If this is the case, then there is still time to make sure that we do this in as environmentally friendly way as we can.
If we have received Christmas cards, then we can sort these, and save suitable pictures to make gift tags or even our own cards for next year. The remains of the cards can go to the paper recycling bin.Gift-wrapping paper can be smoothed out and saved for re-use, removing tags and sticky tape.
If we have had a natural Christmas tree, then let’s look out for local authority tree recycling.
Details of CWaC collections can be found at https://slhospice.co.uk/event/christmastree/. If there is garden space available, then we may want to find a corner for the tree to gently rot, and meanwhile to provide a habitat for wildlife. If we have had a tree with roots, then it will need
some TLC as it moves from a warm room to the cold of the outside world, and perhaps adjusts to the ground or to a new pot. If we have had an artificial tree, then let’s store it away carefully so that it will remain in good condition for next Christmas
13/1/25
We may all have been freezing recently, but we also now know that 2024 was the hottest year on record, and exceeded the+ 1.5 average above pre-industrial levels that had been set as a cap at the 2015 Paris climate agreement.So now is the time for even more action to change our
lifestyles
Probably ,over Christmas and the New Year, if we have been able to socialise with family and friends, we have all relaxed our carbon-cutting measures a little.Now is the time for a re-set, and trying to do all we can to reduce our impact on our planet.
20/1/25
When we are cooking, let’s try to stop using aluminium foil (which is expensive in any case) wherever possible let’s ; use a container with a lid that can be reused. Aluminium is a rare metal and its extraction and purification uses a lot of energy.
27/1/25
We hear much these days about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and are being encouraged to embrace it in our lives. There are undoubtedly many benefits which it can offer, but it also raises many social and ethical questions. We do not so often hear about the vast carbon footprint of AI,
which arises from its enormous use of energy. It is also dependent on a high level of use of rare metals. More information can be found at https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/06/09/ais- growing-carbon-footprint/#wp--skip-link--target.
There are many situations, such as shopping and interactions with health services, where we probably cannot avoid AI,but where we have choices,such as in our choice of certain apps, or even our conversations with Alexa or Siri, let’s try to be aware of the impact of AI on our planet
3/2/25
This week we have some thoughts from Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) which were shared through Smol: Join a local litter picking group.
This gentle form of exercise makes an immediate, visible difference; increasing the sense of pride we feel about the area in which we live. Why not pledge to pick a bag in this year’s Great British Spring Clean from March 21 to April 6. Litter-picking can help impact health, lets us reconnect with nature and improves our wellbeing.
10/2/25
Local action is vital to protect our planet. There is a lot going on in our local area, and we can find out what is being done by subscribing to CWaC’s Climate Emergency Newsletter. Go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCHESHIREWESTANDCHESTER/subscriber/network
, and sign in, then select ‘Climate Emergency’. You will then receive regular updates on local activities
17/2/25
Since January 20th we have seen a radical change of direction from the White House including the cancellation of a number of previous environmental commitments. This is, to say the least, disheartening, but we need to remember that there are many in the US, of all faiths and none, who are equally dismayed by these actions. The Christian perspective on the climate crisis is ultimately based on hope, which we need to maintain. The current policies also need to be a spur to us to redouble our efforts in personal and community life to reduce our impact on the planet. We can all make a difference.
24/2/25
We are often urged to save money, energy and time by batch cooking, ie by cooking a larger quantity than is immediately needed and storing the rest for future use.However that can leave those in small households or living on their own faced with a lot of stored or frozen portions of meals, which can be daunting and perhaps lead to waste.So how about coming to an arrangement with a friend or neighbour in a similar position , so that each does a batch-cook, and then half is swopped with the other. That way we can gain the benefits of batch cooking without the problem of lots of portions to eat up This mightalso become an activity within a
local community..
2/3/25
We are now into lent, and many of us may have taken on a Lenten discipline, which may include some element of ‘going without’ or ‘giving up’. Perhaps this involves less car use, or perhaps
following a simpler diet.Whatever our discipline, let’s try to ensure that it is of benefit to the planet, and helps us to appreciate things which we might otherwise take for granted. If our
discipline involves some simplification of our lifestyle, let’s try to maintain it after lent, so that it becomes a long term change
9/ 3/25
We have mentioned before the problem of recycling blister-packs, and the fact that some schemes are no longer working. This week we have some good news on this. Boots the chemist are rolling out a recycling scheme to all 800 of their stores. The collection point in the Eastgate St Chester branch is just by the pharmacy, so this is likely to be the location in other stores.
What’s more – if you have an advantage card, and make a smallish purchase,, you will get points when you recycle 5 or more packs.
Additionally, we are able to report that recycling boxes have been placed in two branches of Swettenham’s pharmacy in Chester, and one in Helsby. Of course, you may use a local
pharmacy other than these, but why not go and ask them if they too, can provide such a facility? There is nothing like competition to stir them into action.
17/3/25
This week we share the Methodist Church’s monthly eco tip for March:
Participating in community cleanups can make a significant difference for the environment in several ways:
- Reducing Pollution: By removing litter and waste from public spaces, we prevent harmful substances from entering waterways, soil, and the air. This helps protect wildlife and ecosystems from pollution.
- Promoting Recycling: Cleanups often involve sorting waste, which encourages recycling and reduces the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. This helps conserve natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Enhancing Natural Beauty: Clean environments are more aesthetically pleasing and can boost local tourism and community pride. This can lead to more people valuing and protecting their surroundings.
- Preventing Habitat Destruction: Litter and waste can damage natural habitats and harm animals. By keeping these areas clean, we help preserve biodiversity and ensure that wildlife can thrive.
- Raising Awareness: Participating in cleanups can educate people about the impact of waste on the environment and inspire them to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives.
24/3/25
For those of us fortunate enough to have savings and perhaps investments, the approach of the new financial year may mean invitations to review and top up these holdings. This is also an opportunity to check, as far as we are able, that our funds have not been placed in accounts where they may be damaging the environment, such as in fossil fuels or in industries which
cause deforestation. If the funds do seem to be in such places, it may be possible to move them to more environmentally friendly accounts and our provider should be able to help
31/3/25
If we have a car, we will,from time to time, have had to replace a tyre. Have we ever thought about where the old tyre ends up? There are good means of recycling, which lead to the tyres being used for the basis of children’s playgrounds or sports facilities. But if we read about the BBC investigation of many other so-called recycling schemes, we will be horrified by the miles the tyres travel and the pollution they cause. You can read about it at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14jy2dd8jeomore or listen to File on 4: the Tyre Scandal on BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00238mf
We often hear about the ways in which cars are damaging our environment, but this is not an aspect we often think about. When we have a tyre changed, we can at least ask what happens to the old one. The mechanic may not know, but we can pursue further questions with the company, especially if it is one of the larger chains of tyre suppliers.