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Studies with an action focus
Materials on environmental issues
Organizations with resources
Web sites
Ecological restoration and clean-up projects
Contact information
Other links for research and environmental information
The New Earth Partnership has assembled an annotated list of some education resources that are available in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, some nationally. This list contains four sections: a sample energy survey for congregation members, created by member Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
; educational materials including study courses, book studies and videos, available locally or by mail; web sites on faith/ecology topics as well as environmental education topics; and organizations and projects for experiential, hands-on activities. An alphabetical list of contact information is at the end.Environmental Stewardship/Energy Conservation survey
Sponsored by the Social Issues Committee of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church . Questions? Call: Carol Masters (w) 612-729-8358 or Sean Gosiewski (h) 612-729-3828, (w) 612-331-1099 x 1
Links
for more information:
·
Minnesotans
for an Energy Efficient Economy-
www.me3.org
·
Global
Warming and Climate Change MN
- www.moea.state.mn.us
·
Residential
CO2 reduction calculators
- www.airhead.org
, www.10percentchallenge.org
, www.webofcreation.org/advocacy/globalwarming/basic.html
·
·
Interfaith
Climate Change Network - www.protectingcreation.org
Creation
Care 2005
|
ØCelebrate
creation!
ØCheck
your daily news source for environmental stories.
Ø
Walk,
bike, carpool or use public transportation for a portion of your daily travel.
Ø
In
season, and as much as possible, select food grown regionally.
Electricity
Ø
Turn
off lights when you leave a room.
Ø Turn off your computer* and printer when they are not in use. In fact, you can turn off PDAs, electronics, etc. when not in use.
Ø
Have
your TV and VCR on a power strip to turn off at night.
Ø
As
appropriate, add layers of clothing to keep indoor temperatures moderate.
Ø
Adjust
or program thermostat.
Ø
Check
air seals, doors and windows for leakages, wearing.
Solid
Waste
Ø
Recycle.
Ø Avoid waste (food, packaging, paper, etc).
Steps
for Your Home
Change
Lights.
Replace
your most frequently used lights or the bulbs in them with compact
fluorescents
Heat
and cool smartly.
Have
your heating and cooling equipment serviced annually and remember to replace
air filters regularly.
Seal
up your home.
Seal
air leaks, add insulation,
choose Energy
Star qualified windows. http://www.energystar.gov
More
Steps for Your Car
Drive
Smart. Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal; avoid hard accelerations; reduce
time spent idling; unload the junk in the trunk.
Keep
your car well tuned. A well-maintained car is more fuel efficient, more
reliable and safer!
Check
tire pressure regularly. Under inflation causes increased wear and decreased
gas mileage
Air
Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores at EPA's
Green Vehicle Guide. http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles
The
Big Ones: Investments for your budget and
our planet
Consider
replacing your refrigerator or
other appliances with Energy Star models
Sign
up to purchase Wind Energy www.xcelenergy.com
or call 1-800-895-4999
When
trading in your car, consider replacing it with an energy efficient
model. Compare the fuel
efficiency at www.fueleconomy.gov
HTLC (or your congregation, group) receives $100 if you buy a high quality used Hybrid Car from www.idealauto.org
Sean
Gosiewski, Alliance for Sustainability 612-331-1099 x 1 www.livinggreenexpo.org
Resources
MN Department of Commerce- Energy Information
Center
- 651-296-5175
energy.info@state.mn.us
Xcel
- Saver switch.
Energy Star. Windsource, Audits
more
resources
(here)
New Earth Partnership www.justview.org
Congregations
Caring for Creation:
Xcel
energy (Windsource) 1-800-895-4999
Pastures
a Plenty 320-367-2061
Land
Stewardship Project
Educational Materials
This section is organized into three categories: study and discussion courses and videos, some about theology or values and some about action; and materials related to specific ecological topics such as global climate change or biodiversity. Each listing notes the organization or location where those materials can be found. Refer to the organization list at the end for detailed contact information.
Studies with action focus
Book with study guide—Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence
Study guide designed for small-group use leads participants through the book, offering discussion questions, small group exercises, scripture references and prayer.
Author: Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
Publisher: Viking
Length: Two six-hour sessions and one follow-up session, or
chapter-by-chapter study.
To Order: New Road Map Foundation; or download from web site: www.newroadmap.org
Materials on environmental issues
Video—Climate Report: Update on Global Warming
What is global warming? Is it caused by human activity? How? What can we do about it? This video describes the causes and definitions of global warming.
Produced by: Sierra Club and Climate Institute (1996)
Length: 14 minutes
Available from: The Resource Center for Churches
Cost: $7.50 rental
Describes the importance of the Endangered Species Act and the urgent need to protect it. Particularly useful for motivating audiences to share their concerns with their federal legislators.
Produced by: The Eco-Justice Working Group, The National Council of
Churches of Christ
Length: 12 minutes
Available from: Environmental Justice Resource Distribution Center, order
number EJ 0017
Cost: $10
Other organizations with resources
Center for Judaism and Sustainability
A local resource center for Jewish congregations and individuals that will soon
have a Center for Spirituality and Sustainability. Located in the Hillel Center
at the University of Minnesota, 1521 University Ave. SE., Minneapolis, MN 55414.
612-331-1099
email: iasa@mtn.org.
www.mtn.org/iasa
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Focuses on education and action as well as understanding of the faith basis for
care of creation in Jewish tradition and celebrations. Local contact; Terry Gips,
612-374-4765.
www.coejl.org/home.shtml
Minnesota Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Program
Minnesota's collaboration with the National Council of Churches of Christ focus
on educating and activating congregations about climate change. 122 W. Franklin
Ave., Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3600 www.mnchurches.org/
Web sites
Earth Ministry
http://www.earthministry.org
A church in Seattle has been developing resources and encouraging environmental
action in faith communities for more than 10 years. Site includes numerous
resources, plus ideas and instructions to "Design-Your-Own Creation
Devotional Booklet" of prayers, readings and activities.
Center for a New American Dream
http://www.newdream.org/faith/
With the slogan "More fun, less stuff," the Center's mission is to
change consumption habits and encourage non-material ways to find success and
satisfaction. The Center is working to engage faith communities, and offers the
following programs and resources:
TURN THE TIDE is a program of nine daily actions that have a measurable impact on the environment. Measure the resources you saved, as well as the total savings of everyone in the program. If you sign up as a member of a faith group, you can also keep track of the total environmental impact of your community.
Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences
http://www.ifees.org
International organization doing education, policy work and articulation of the
Islamic position on care for the environment.
Web of Creation: Transforming Faith-Based Communities for a Sustainable
World
http://www.webofcreation.org
This extensive site maintained by the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago
offers in-depth information and resources for care of creation and environmental
justice.
Presbyterians for Restoring Creation
http://www.pcusa.org/prc/
Site focuses on environmental justice and offers resources for developing a
faith response to the ecological crisis and the social justice issues that
accompany it.
North American Coalition for Christianity and Ecology
http://www.nacce.org/homepage.html
NACCE is an ecumenical organization founded in 1986 to encourage the many
strands of Christian tradition in healing the damaged earth, out of a common
concern and love for God's creation. Publishes a newsletter called
"Earth-keeping News" and supports formation of
"Eco-Churches."
Friends Committee on Unity with Nature
http://www.fcun.org
A spiritually-centered movement of Quakers and like-minded people seeking ways
to integrate concern for the environment with Friends' long-standing testimonies
for simplicity, peace and equality.
Green Sanctuary
http://www.uuaspp.org/greensanctuary.htm
The Unitarian-Universalist Church has a comprehensive program for churches to
improve their connection with and care for the Earth.
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
http://www.nrpe.org
A formal alliance of major faith groups and denominations in the Jewish and
Christian communities in the United States.
Reduce.org
http://www.reduce.org or http://www.moea.state.mn.us/campaign/index.html
The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance's web site for reducing waste.
Plenty of good ideas and projects to reduce household and institutional garbage,
including junk mail, food waste and special tips for holidays.
SEEK: Minnesota's Environmental Education Resources
http://www.seek.state.mn.us This
interactive site has info about a wide variety of resources available, including
print, video, experiential and classes all over the state.
NextStep: Taking the Next Step Toward a Sustainable Future
http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/index.cfm
An interactive site with 10 separate pages on topics such as water quality,
buildings, communities, education and personal change; a calendar of events; and
lists of resources for all the topics.
Ecological Restoration and Clean-Up Projects
Friends of the Mississippi River
Mission: Working to protect and enhance the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities area.
STORM DRAIN STENCILLING. an educational project that involves local youth, business, neighborhood and school groups in marking storm drains with the message: "Please! Don't Pollute: Drains to River!" and distributing information to area households on water quality issues.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER GORGE STEWARDS PROJECT. provides opportunities for Minneapolis residents to get involved with river protection efforts in their own neighborhood.
BIG RIVERS PARTNERSHIP. Engages volunteers in habitat restoration projects along the Mississippi River. Volunteers participate in buckthorn removal, collecting native plant seeds, and planting trees and prairie plants.
Great River Greening
Mission: Great River Greening is a nonprofit community-based organization that exists to help communities restore, manage, and learn about their natural environment through volunteer involvement.
Planting events happen in the spring, summer and fall. GRG also trains volunteer supervisors to work with crews of volunteers at the restoration sites.
Nature Conservancy
Mission: Saving the last great places. TNC works to protect unique, theatened and damaged ecosystems through purchase, restoration and conservation easements.
Volunteers can participate in stewardship workdays, usually on Saturday. Through hands-on experience, volunteers gain a deeper understanding of conservation, while directly contributing to the chapter's preserve stewardship program.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board encourages individuals and groups to adopt a park for clean-up and other activities, either on a one-time basis or regularly. For information, call 612-370-4900. The board also hosts an Earth Day Watershed Clean-Up event involving many Minneapolis area lakes, creeks and rivers. For more information, call 612-390-3908.
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Division
Eco Partners, which includes park adoption, removal of exotic species and maintenance of public gardens, and Spring Park Clean-up, which happens every April, are two volunteer opportunities available for residents of St. Paul to care for city parks. For information, call 651-266-6400.
Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota acts to help establish, develop and enhance Minnesota's parks and trails, and to encourage their protection and enjoyment. Volunteer opportunities include trail-clearing and joining a "friends" group to focus attention on a particular park. For information, call 651-726-2457 or 800-944-0707.
Contact Information
The Resource Center for Churches
122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 2
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-0861
http://www.resourcesforthejourney.org
Earth Ministry
1305 NE 47th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-2426
New Road Map Foundation
PO Box 15981
Seattle, WA 98115
National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group
Environmental Justice Resources Distribution Center
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
800-762-0968
Friends of the Mississippi River
46 E. Fourth St., Ste 606
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-222-2193
http://www.fmr.org
Great River Greening
35 W. Water St., Ste. 201
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-665-9500
http://www.greatrivergreening.org
The Nature Conservancy
Minnesota Field Office
1313 Fifth St. S.E., Ste. 320
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-331-0750
http://nature.org
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
200 Grain Exchange
400 South 4th Street
Minneapolis MN 55415
612-661-4800
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/home.asp
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Division
300 City Hall Annex
25 W. Fourth St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-266-6400
http://www.stpaul.gov/depts/parks/
Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota
275 E. 4th St., Ste. 642
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-726-2457 or 800-944-0707
http://www.parksandtrails.org/index.html
Other Links for Research and Environmental Information
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: www.ipcc.ch
Government:
Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov
Environmental Protection Agency—global warming: www.epa.gov/globalwarming
Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us
National Park Service: www.nps.gov
US Fish and Wildlife Service: www.fws.gov
State:
DNR: www.dnr.state.mn.us
OEA: www.moea.state.mn.us
PCA: www.pca.state.mn.us
Organizations:
Audubon Society: www.audubon.org
Lutheran Coalition on Public Policy/Minnesota: www.lcppm.org
Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy: www.me3.org
Minnesota Public Interest Research Group: www.mpirg.org
National Parks & Conservation Assoc: www.npca.org
National Wildlife Federation: www.nwf.org
Sierra Club: www.sierraclub.org
Partners
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
webservant: Carol Masters (carolm@justview.org)
Copyright © 2001 by [New Earth Partnership]. All rights reserved.