Headlines | Church News | Classifieds | Disaster Response | ConnTact | Blogs | Archive

Delegates Call for Urgent Action on Climate Change

Practical Suggestions in Becoming a Green Congregation

Environmental Resources at CTUCC.org

Resources from the Environmental Ministry Team, including the complete Action Steps chart, are available on the Connecticut Conference web site at www.ctucc.org/greenchurch/ You can also join the conversation in the Environmental Ministry FIDO* forum. Sign up at www.ctucc.org/fido/ You’re welcome to become part of the Environmental Ministry Team; write the co-chairs for more information.

by Karim Ahmed and Tracy Gionfriddo

BRIDGEPORT (12/02/2008) -- At the Fall Session of its Annual Meeting on October 18, the Connecticut Conference adopted a landmark resolution calling for urgent action on climate change. Passed by a large majority of delegates attending the meeting, the resolution, developed by the Conference’s Environmental Ministry Team, urges member churches “to increase their level of ‘green’ activity and practice within the next two to five years, with the aim of moving toward a carbon-neutral footprint over the next five to seven years.” Citing recent scientific studies showing evidence of greatly accelerated melting of the Arctic ice cap and mountain glaciers around the globe, the resolution calls for the UCC at all levels to advocate passage of meaningful climate change legislation currently before Congress and state legislatures.

The Environmental Ministry Team has developed a comprehensive three-step program of action for clergy and lay members of individual churches to consider in becoming a Green Congregation (Green Globe status 1 to 3). In this program, each step consists of a number of suggested practical activities for being designated a Green Congregation.

Under Green Globe status 1, suggestions include:

• • formation of a church ‘green team,’
• • preaching environmental sermons,
• • inviting speakers,
• • organizing educational seminars,
• • conducting energy audits, and
• • recycling paper, cans and bottles.

Under Green Globe status 2, practical suggestions include:

• • installing energy efficient lighting,
• • insulating pipes and walls,
• • shifting to organic landscaping, and
• • purchasing renewable sources of electricity.

Among the steps under Green Globe status 3 are:

• • replacing old furnaces and air conditioners,
• • changing windows and doors,
• • installing solar water heaters, and
• • reviewing church investments for environmental impact.

For more information on the resolution or becoming a Green Congregation, contact George Stone at george@stone-ct.com or Katherine Freygang at kfreygang@aol.com.

Karim Ahmed is a member of Immanuel Congregational Church UCC, and Tracy Gionfriddo is a member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church UCC, both in Hartford.