Greening Your Congregation - 40 ideas
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Greening Your Congregation - 40 ideas
Transcript of Greening Your Congregation - 40 ideas
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected] , www.afors.org , p.1
Greening Your Congregation – 40 ideas Green Building, Grounds and Operations Ideas for Congregations
Lighting 1. Form MN Energy Challenge Team!
www.mnenergychallenge.org 2. Sign up for a Free Lighting Audit with the One-Stop
Efficiency Shop to have a complete assessment of where your congregation can save money and energy with more efficient lighting, specific recommendations, referrals to contractors, low cost financing and follow up inspections. Most congregations can pay for the improvements with 1 year’s worth of energy savings. call Kristen Funk 612-335-3487. [email protected] or Erik J. Ennen, 612-335-5823 [email protected] Web site. www.mncee.org/oses.htm
3. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Bulk purchase of of Energy Star CFLs available at Whole Energy & Hardware Rick Parris, 952-448-7488 www.wholeenergyandhardware.com
4. Switch your exit signs to LED lights. Available through www.mncee.org/oses.htm and www.energyfederation.org/ipl/default.php
5. Install motion sensors for lights in bathrooms 6. Monitor your electricity use with the SenseDat Meter
608-251-4355 www.sensedat.com or the Kill A Watt Meter www.smarthome.com/9034.html
Office Operations 8. Turn off computers & monitors when not in use- See
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_management
9. Buy recycled toner cartridges - Preferred Cartridges, Koto Amagashie, Preferred Cartridges 763-424-9280 , [email protected] , www.preferredcartridges.com
10. Recycle office paper & bulletins www.greenguardian.org
11. Buy 100% Recycled Office Paper through group purchasing each Spring and Fall with Eureka Recycling 651-222-7678 , www.eurekarecycling.org/bg_coop.cfm
12. Stop receiving Junk Mail and faxes www.reduce.org 13. Ensure proper recycling of used computers and
electronics. www.greenguardian.org , www.reduce.org
Cleaning 14. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products– Alice’s Wonder Spray, www.greenguardian.com Restore Products, 612.331.5979 www.restoreproducts.com; H2 Orange 2 –disinfecting www.h2orange2.com Call Eric Hagen 608-345-8827. Fundraising www.ourhouseworks.com
Recycling/ Zero Waste/ Composting Hennepin County Environmental Services Angie Timmons, 612-348-2477 [email protected] www.co.hennepin.mn.us/environment (waste audits) Eureka! Recycling (waste audits) 651-222-7678 [email protected] www.eurekarecycling.org
Heating and Cooling 7. Sign up for a comprehensive energy audit for your
building’s heating and cooling systems through Xcel ConservationWise For $200 a certified Xcel energy auditor would visit your congregation and assess areas for potential energy savings both in terms of lighting and heating and cooling. Low cost financing for energy improvement projects is also available. Call Xcel Business Solutions 1-800-481-4700 x 5 Email [email protected] Web - www.xcelenergy.com and
8. Minnesota Retired Engineer Technical Assistance Program (MN RETAP) provides free energy and waste audits for congregations using retired engineers 612-624-1300 www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/retap.cfm -
9. Centerpoint Energy energy audits http://mn.centerpointenergy.com/for_your_business/energy_information/natural_energy_audit.asp
10. Recommissioning Program, for larger buildings, Martha Hewett 612-335-5865 [email protected] www.mncee.org/frame_es.htm
9. Implement your building efficiency plans.
Kitchen 15. Discontinue using Styrofoam and Plastic by
using China, recycled paper or biodegradable, cups, plates, utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, & garbage bags. www.eurekarecycling.org www.recycleholics.com , www.seventhgeneration.com
16. Compost food waste & grounds www.greenguardian.org
17. Use non-phosphorus Dishwasher Soap - 802-658-3773 www.seventhgeneration.com
18. Purchase Fair Trade Food and Coffee www.peacecoffee.com , www.equalexchange.com , http://landstewardshipproject.org
19. Replace old Refrigerators and Appliances - determine pay back, financing and schedule for replacing old coolers and appliances with energy-star approved appliances www.energystar.gov/ index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected] , www.afors.org , p.2
Landscaping for air & water quality 20. Replace power mower w electric or reel to reel 21. Avoid use of gas powered leaf blowers or edgers,
especially on ozone alert days 22. Avoid using phosphorus & pesticides on lawns 23. Convert some or all of the lawn to rain gardens
or native plantings 24. Replace exotic plants (buckthorn) with natives 25. Point down spouts away from paved surfaces 26. Sweep sidewalks and parking lots 27. Consider installing on-site storm water retention
system, rain garden, native prairie Metro Blooms - Becky Rice, (651) 699-2426 [email protected] Rain garden Workshops and technical assistance for Churches doing rain gardens www.metroblooms.org MN Green Roofs Council Corrie Zoll, 612-423-2048 [email protected] www.mngreenroofs.org City of Minneapolis Storm Water Management Paul Chellsen, 612-673-2406 [email protected] www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/stormwater/fee/index.asp Clean Air MN www.mn-ei.org/air Metro Watershed Partners www.cleanwatermn.org
Transportation 30. Organize a walk, bike, carpool to worship day and
participate in the Team Challenge for the Metro Commuter Challenge in May/June ww.metrotransit.org
31. Organize an alternative commuter fair for church members to consider alternative ways to get to work. www.metrocommuterservices.org
32. Get involved with neighborhood planning efforts for bike and pedestrian friendly, transit oriented development www.tlcminnesota.org www.designforhealth.net/
33. Encourage members of your congregation to pledge to buy a more efficient vehicle when they buy their next car www.fueleconomy.gov , Your congregation will receive a $100 donation if a member of your congregation buys a high-quality, used hybrid-electric car through the Alliance www.allianceforsustainability.net , www.idealauto.org Practice Eco Driving http://greenslowmovingvehicle.com/
34. Encourage members of your congregation to shop and dine at local, sustainable independent businesses The Blue Sky Guide is a wonderful coupon book and fundraising idea for youth groups – they sell for $20 and your cause earns $10 - 651-291-1989 www.ecometro.com/twincities/default.aspx Each fall enjoy Dine Fresh Dine Local - www.dinefreshdinelocal.com Metro Independent Businesses http://metroiba.org
Renewable Energy 28. Sign up to purchase renewable wind power
from your local utility. State wide programs see http://www.me3.org/issues/wind/green.html Metro Congregations can participate in Xcel Energy’s Windsource Program call 1-800-481-4700 x 5 www.xcelenergy.com –Accreditation with Center for Resource Solutions http://www.green-e.org See www.moea.state.mn.us/energy/greenpower.cfm
29. Install solar panel on your building or assist with
a neighborhood solar project. See www.solarminnesota.org , www.ips-solar.com , www.commerce.state.mn.us Energy Info Center
Innovative Power Systems (did the PV solar systems at St. Joan’s and Temple Israel) Ralph Jacobson, 612-623-3246 [email protected] www.ips-solar.com FreeNeRG (Solar Panel Lease) Gerardo Ruiz, 612-605-5228 [email protected] Offers the first-of-its-kind solar electricity leasing opportunity initially launched to Minneapolis and St. Paul customers.www.freener-g.com 39. Buy Carbon Offsets - www.carbonfund.org
www.carbonfreedom.org http://wrc.umn.edu/outreach/carbon/index.html
Capital Improvement Projects 35. When starting a capital improvement project use
architects who know sustainable design AIA MN www.aia-mn.org/architecture_environment.cfm## US Green Building Council http://chapters.usgbc.org/usgbcmn Cuningham Group Architecture Brian Tempas, LEED Certified, 612-379-5543 [email protected] www.cuningham.com/portfolio/worship/index.html Center for Sustainable Building Research/ U of MN Viragita Singh 612-625-3447 [email protected] www.csbr.umn.edu/sustainability.html MN Sustainable Building Guide www.csbr.umn.edu/msdg.html
LHB Rick Carter (612) 338-2029 x 6923 www.lhbcorp.com
Fair Trade Purchasing 36. Purchase, use and re-sell fair trade products including
coffee, palm branches, etc. www.peacecoffee.com , www.equalexchange.com , www.lcppm.org
37. Encourage use of local/ organic/ sustainable food, & vegetarian menus for congregational events.
38. Encourage members to support local sustainable farmers- arrange a food drop off http://landstewardshipproject.org
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected] , www.afors.org , p.3
Worship & Ritual Praying with Creation – Lectionary Prayers Dennis Ormseth, (651) 646-4096 [email protected] www.webofcreation.org/Worship/liturgy/praywithcreation.htm A Season of Creation For four Sundays in September we celebrate A Season of Creation with Christ. www.seasonofcreation.com
Shape Wise Public Policies Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in MN Pastor Mark Peters, 651-224-5499 [email protected] www.lcppm.org State Policy – www.fresh-energy.org www.mnclimatechange.us , www.mepartnership.org , www.jrlc.org www.cleanenergyminnesota.org Midwest Cap & Trade- www.gpisd.net National Policy – www.1sky.org , www.climateprotect.org , www.ucsusa.org
Support Members to Take Action at Home and at Work Form an Energy Challenge Team Support families in your congregation to save money and energy and track the results for your whole congregation. A free organizing tool kit is available on line from Neely Crane Smith, 612-335-5852 [email protected] www.mnenergychallenge.org/resources/communitytools/index.php Waste & Toxicity Reduction Tool Kit for Congregations www.greenguardian.com/c3toolkit Sean Gosiewski, 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected] www.afors.org This resource was created by Congregations Caring for Creation (C3) and the Alliance for Sustainability. Information regarding waste and toxicity reduction was provided by Hennepin County Environmental Services and Community POWER. This resource was created to assist congregations with implementing a waste and toxicity reduction campaign. The tool kit includes: Introduction: Getting Started Calendar of Activity Ideas Activity Ideas for Congregations, Adults, Teens and Children Special Event Ideas Tracking and Evaluation Tools Waste Reduction for Internal Operations Healthy Homes, Healthy Congregations - Lynne Holman at (612) 230-3211, [email protected] ... www.mnchurches.org/programs/education/healthyhomes/healthyhomes.html Healthy Legacy, www.healthylegacy.org/
Local Support Networks Congregations Caring for Creation (C3) www.c3mn.net Down Town Cluster, Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams, Clarence Chapin 651-695-0982 [email protected] Alliance for Sustainability/ www.afors.org Sustainable Community Action Network www.sustaincommunity.net Sean Gosiewski, Program Director, 612-331-1099 [email protected] Terry Gips, President 612-374-4765 [email protected] Metro Clean Energy Resource Team- www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/regions/metro Diana McKeown Metro CERTs Network Coordinator, The Green Institute 612-278-7125 [email protected] Lutheran Earth keeping Network – Rev. Dennis Ormseth (651) 646-4096 [email protected] http://www.webofcreation.org/LENS/contactscfc.html Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in MN, Pastor Mark Peters, Pat Benson, Creation Care 612-224-5499 www.lcppm.org Catholic Global Warming Action Team. Pat Benson, 612-224-5499 www.osjspm.org/globalwarming Additional Resources Congregations Caring for Creation – www.c3mn.net • Natural Step Framework Trainings – www.afors.org • Interfaith Power and Light www.theregenerationproject.org , www.interfaithpower.org • Minnesota Environmental Partnership, www.mepartnership.org MN – Fresh Energy www.fresh-energy.org • Web of Creation www.webofcreation.org , Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life www.coejl.org • EPA's energy guide for congregations http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations • Earth Ministries – Greening Congregations handbook - http://www.earthministry.org/your_congregation.htm • Union of Concerned Scientists- www.ucsusa.org Center for a New American Dream –www.newdream.org • Living Green Expo – www.livinggreenexpo.org , Sustainable Communities Network, www.nextstep.state.mn.us • Eco Experience www.ecoexpeerience.org Permaculture Collaborative www.permaculturecollaborative.org/
For more information please contact: Alliance for Sustainability Sean Gosiewski, Program Dir. 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected]
Terry Gips, President, 612-374-4765 [email protected] In the Hillel Center at the U of MN 1521 University Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 www.afors.org
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 [email protected] , www.afors.org , p.4
Networking Opportunities C3 Fall Networking Gathering for Congregations Sunday. Sept 21 from 2:30pm to 4:00pm First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Ave. So. Minneapolis, MN 55408 (everyone welcome!) Come learn what other communities of faith are doing to care for God’s Creation Poster www.c3mn.net
Down Town Congregations Cluster Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams Clarence Chapin 651-695-0982 [email protected] www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
Neighborhood Sustainability Conferences February, 2009 Sean Gosiewski, 612-331-1099 [email protected] www.afors.org
Educational Resources
Natural Step Framework Seminars - Regularly scheduled seminars - www.afors.org
Living Green Expo, May www.livinggreen.org
Eco Experience, State Fair www.ecoexperience.org
Study Courses - Low Carbon Diet
www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd - North West Earth Institute www.nwei.org - Earth Ministries www.earthministry.org
Educational Films • An Inconvenient Truth www.climatecrisis.net • Kilowat Ours www.kilowattours.org • The Great Warming www.thegreatwarming.com/ • The End of Suburbia www.endofsuburbia.com/
Grant Opportunities - Alliance/ C3/ Hennepin County Waste Reduction Pilot Projects 612-331-1099 x 1 www.afors.org - Community Power –www.greenguardian.com/grants - Minnehaha Creek Watershed District www.minnehahacreek.org - Mississippi Watershed Management Organization www.mwmo.org - Hennepin County – $1,000 Native Plant Grants for Restoration and Rain Garden Projects – contact Metro
Blooms www.metroblooms.org - Free Recycling Bins http://bingrant.org/home.htm - Climate and Energy Partnerships http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/res_detail.cfm?id=4041
Form a Creation Care Team in your Congregation www.webofcreation.org • Many congregations in Minnesota have formed teams to sustain their environmental efforts from year to year. Visit
www.c3mn.net and www.webofcreation.org • Inform your congregation’s leaders of your interest and commitment, and encourage their involvement. • Develop a Congregational Action Plan in the area of:
o Worship o Education – children, youth, adults o Buildings and Grounds o Discipleship at Home and Work o Public Ministry
• Work with the appropriate committees to carry out the Plan. • Promote your identity as a congregation that cares for creation. • Meet regularly to follow the Action Plan and to develop new projects. • Consider a project to benefit the larger community. • Work to keep the life and activities of the Green Team active
