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Thou shalt use a toaster: Church issues the Green Commandments
Last updated at 23:07pm on 23.04.07
Dr Rowan Williams: How many light bulbs does it take to change a Christian?
Recycling bin: 'There are many small steps that each of us can take to lighten the load on our planet'
The Church of England published a set of green commandments today aimed at persuading Christians to help save the planet.
They are contained in a pocket-sized booklet, entitled How many light bulbs does it take to change a Christian?, instructing believers that they have a moral obligation to look after God's creation.
Included in the publication are a series of eco-friendly lifestyle tips.
It was published as part of the Church's Shrinking the Footprint campaign - a response to the General Synod's charge to the Church to engage with climate change and work on reducing its carbon emissions by 2008.
Backing the booklet, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, said today: "There are many small steps that each of us can take to lighten the load on our planet and this guide gives some practical examples of where each of us can start.
"I commend it to all Christians looking for ideas and inspiration on what they can do to make a positive difference for the environment."
At the launch of the Church's eco-drive two years ago Dr Williams said: "For the Church of the 21st Century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian."
Among the lifestyle changes suggested in the booklet are: organising a car-sharing scheme for travelling to and from Sunday worship, holidaying locally rather than travelling abroad and using a toaster rather than a grill.
Parishioners are also urged to make their local churchyard a 'green lung' for the community by setting aside a 'wild area'.
The booklet advises a review of any floodlighting the church has, checking whether the bulbs are energy-efficient and if they are directed at the building rather than the sky. Cancelling "wasteful" junk mail is also advised.
The booklet, retailing at Christian bookshops for £4.99, was written by Claire Foster and David Shreeve, both environmental advisers to the Church.
The commandments include:
• Organise a car-sharing scheme for travelling to and from Sunday worship
• Book some holiday time from work - but cut transport emissions by staying locally and rediscover the interesting features of the neighbourhood
• Use the toaster rather than the grill when making toast to conserve energy
• Help a churchyard become a 'green lung' for the community by setting aside a wild area'
• Review any floodlighting the church has and whether the bulbs are energy-efficient and directed at the building rather than the sky
• Sign up to stop receiving wasteful junk mail.
Reader views (5)
In a country facing drought and severe water restrictions, where many of us are accustomed to a lifestyle that consumes (and wastes) resources, any reminder that we are called by God to be good stewards of the planet should be welcome.
- Lizzie, Toowoomba, Australia
Perhaps the Church should promote safe sex and the use of condoms which will result in more lives being saved.
- John, Harrow
Caring for the world was given to humans by God. I think Christians should be at the forefront of the green movement. This could be an exciting new way of bringing people back into the church. The green movement is about recognising that as individuals we have responsibility wider than ourselves. The church's message is the same and we are charged to live with others in a responsible way. Caring for the planet together is one way we can all show we are doing that. Well done to the Church of England for taking this step.
- Mgrif, London
Heavens above! No wonder the pews are so empty!
The Church of England seems to have shelved spreading the word of the Gospels in favour of the spreading the trendy word of Greenpeace!
- Steve R, London, UK
"Sign up to stop receiving wasteful junk mail."
How exactly? I'm on the MPS and Royal Mail suppression lists and I still get free newspapers, adverts for restaurants, builders, gardeners and all sorts of other junk pushed through my letterbox.
- Trevor Roll, London
