September 7. 23rd Sunday C.  AN ECO-FRIENDLY CARBON FOOTPRINT. (From BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES)  Climate change is caused mostly by temperature rise in the atmosphere, due to an increase in greenhouse gases like CO2 i.e.carbon dioxide emitted through all our activities. It can be helpful to measure how and how much is produced, even, by each person and each family.  The less we produce, the better it is in the long run for our climate and our world.

Every single thing we do, from breathing to kicking a soccer ball around needs energy which is produced, stored and used by the body. The energy we use through electricity is generated from burning fossil fuel, like goal, diesel and gas. CO2 is a byproduct of this. The greatest amount of CO2 in the atmosphere in South Africa is from burning fossil fuel. Renewable energy like solar or wind energy produces less harmful greenhouse gas. People and animals emit CO2, but plants absorb it or extract it from the air. That is why planting trees is especially good and cutting down and clearing trees is harmful.   For the good of the planet we all have to do what we can to reduce the amount of CO2. A carbon footprint is an image of the amount we each produce. Measuring this can help us to decide where and how we can reduce it in small and larger ways. 

MEASURING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. Google has different measuring tools that can be downloaded, for a family, school, individual or business. Tools use questions to explore how much CO2 has been produced through our energy use and activities directly or also indirectly through transporting goods to us.  Suggestions are made to reduce our carbon footprint by making changes.

  • How do you travel, or go to school? Private car – public transport.
  • How often does your family eat out or order takeouts?  Seldom – often
  • How often do you do laundry in a washing machine?  Once a week – daily
  • How many soft drinks do you drink?  1 each per day or more? 
  • Do you switch lights and plugs off when not in use?
  • How much air-conditioning or heating do you use?    
  • Walk or cycle rather than drive a petrol or even an electric car.
  • Cook and eat at home using local and home-grown items.
  • Hand wash or don’t use a washing machine with small loads.
  • Open windows, use extra blankets and jerseys for heating or cooling rather rather than air-conditioning.
  • Restrict time on electronic devices and switch off when not in use.
  • Develop the attitude to “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse or Repair,”
  • Plant trees, especially indigenous water wise ones.
  • Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Which of you desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it.    Whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.  Luke 14:25-33.   Pope Francis:  There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions. Such actions bring out the best in people and can be acts of love. it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle. LS 211.  When our hearts are authentically open to universal communion the sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. LS 92. Eco-tip and prayer.  Set yourself a reminder to assess your commitment, take action and pray for the earth.  DAILY PRAYER.  God of love show us as families how to be channels of Your love for all Your creatures.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us as we pray and work together to tend the garden and so foster peace with creation.