Did you know the U.S. is the second-highest country in the world for food waste per capita? Lost or wasted food in the U.S. generates the equivalent of 37 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions. All of us need to be more mindful of the food we don’t eat and how we dispose of it. (Source: Earth.org)
Partner Organizations
Care for creation team 2024 plan
Summary of Discussion and Recommendations
- The weekly Care for Creation Tips of the Week appear to be an effective way to keep the community informed and focused on environmental issues.
- Broaden the focus of these announcements to include mini-education points; actions to take with links; inspirational thoughts; successes creating real change; links to short videos, webinars, etc.
- Drop “Tips”, Rename and create new logo
- We’ve done a good job in raising consciousness about environmental issues throughout the Community.
- Keep emphasizing how important each of us doing whatever we can is to resolving the enormity of this problem.
- Keep focus on climate problems as a social justice issue
- Emphasize importance of prayer, sending positive energy. Offer prayer for the environment at liturgy frequently
- Do Community blessings for those attending rallies, advocacy days
- Incorporate spirituality of creation in annual retreats since retreat is during Season of Creation
- Education remains an important mission in order to increase awareness of the critical times we are in and support personal and community action
- Invite whole Community to read Laudate Deum (or summary/video) where Pope Francis repeatedly emphasizes the need for changes now before it is too late. Invite Ted Keating to present a lecture/discussion on this follow-up to Laudate Si.
- Regularly invite Community to attend webinars, local meetings or lectures, view movies on the environment
- Educate more about importance of moving toward a plant-based diet, reducing food waste, composting
- Use one of Agape Sundays to offer only healthy, plant-based, whole foods and have discussion on reducing food waste.
- Regularly send out recipes for vegetarian/vegan entrees that are easy and delicious
- Place focus on all ways to save energy and move away from fossil fuels
- Give information on electrifying everything and using alternative sources of power whenever possible and funds available from the Inflation Reduction Act to help with costs
- Advocate for electric vehicles and massive increase in charging stations
- Provide information on how to divest personal funds from companies that produce and heavily utilize fossil fuels
- Utilize Nova Care for Creation Website pages more
- Keep adding info and updating website pages
- Call Community’s attention to the information that’s there more.
- Place emphasis on Getting out the Vote this year
- Get members to participate in the Environmental Voters Project targeting citizens who are environmentally conscious but not voting
- Support all Get Out the Vote efforts.
- Encourage Community members to take advocacy actions at the Federal, State and Local levels
- Publish petitions, email campaigns, phone calling for particular bills or environmental needs. Keep community apprised of Virginia bills during the legislative session.
- Teach Community members how to sign up for and use the Climate Action Now app on their cell phones to send frequent messages to representatives, leaders, corporations, etc. www.climateactionnow.com
- Encourage all community members to join Virginia Chapter of Elders Climate Action – www.eldersclimateaction.org/Virginia; and continue partnering work with Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Interfaith Power and Light, Friends Committee on National Legislation and Catholic Climate Covenant.