Thank you to the Climate Stewards for the information below and their Lenten challenges for 2023. Sign up to receive emails from them through Lent: https://www.climatestewards.org/resources/carbon-fast/

This week’s challenge and prayer is quoted from their email below:

Week 7 Challenge: Fast from screens

We’ve made it to the last week of Lent – we hope you are still enjoying and learning new habits from the carbon fast. 

All technology has a carbon footprint from its manufacture, use, disposal and data storage. With our increasingly technologically-dependent lives, we often focus on our screens and don’t take time to appreciate other people and the natural world around us. 

The Challenge: Fast from using screens including laptops, tablets, TV, and social media. Outside work, try to keep screen use to a minimum. Instead of turning to screens for entertainment, why not play a game, read, spend time with friends or practise a skill. If possible, go outside and enjoy being in creation – go for a walk, plant some seeds, feed the birds…

Why? While the internet, social media and TV bring many benefits, all our gadgets use finite resources (including precious metals) in their construction, and energy in their manufacture, transport and use. Data storage and transmission adds to the carbon footprint of the gadgets themselves.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for modern technology which brings so much good in so many ways. Help us to use it responsibly, and to maintain and repair tech items before replacing them. This Easter week, as we pause from our constant use of screens, help us to slow down, to notice and appreciate the natural world and people around us, and to share your love with them in words and deeds.
Amen.

The Carbon Fast for Lent was created and is run by Climate Stewards.

Thank you to the Climate Stewards for the information below and their Lenten challenges for 2023. Sign up to receive emails from them through Lent: https://www.climatestewards.org/resources/carbon-fast/

This week’s challenge and prayer is quoted from their email below:

Week 6 Challenge: Fast from Driving

The more we can reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel powered transport, the better for the planet! 

The Challenge: Fast from driving this week, especially on regular trips where you can plan ahead. If possible, use public transport, walk or cycle to get to work, church, shopping or other regular activities. Think about how you can combine trips rather than take lots of shorter trips. If you need to use a car for reasons of mobility, getting to work or transporting others, consider offering or sharing lifts.

Why? In the UK, transport accounts for 24% of all carbon emissions, making it the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gas emissions (closely followed by energy at 21%). Private cars contribute over half of the UK’s transport emissions. Even electric cars have an embedded carbon footprint from the energy and resources used in their manufacture. 

Switching to public transport, walking and cycling are not only good for the planet, they are good for us too; we get more exercise, opportunities to chat to neighbours and fellow passengers, and to connect with the natural world. Learn more about carbon emissions from transport from this BBC article or go into more detail from the Department for Transport.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for all the ways in which we can get around sustainably – buses and trains, lift-sharing, walking and cycling. We know change is difficult and complex but we pray for boldness and finances to invest in safe, sustainable transport for all. 

God, grant us the courage to do our part in loving our neighbours as ourselves by being an example of hope and love in our own lives, as well as using our voice to advocate for climate justice in our local area and round the world.

We pray this is in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Carbon Fast for Lent was created and is run by Climate Stewards.

Thank you to the Climate Stewards for the information below and their Lenten challenges for 2023. Sign up to receive emails from them through Lent: https://www.climatestewards.org/resources/carbon-fast/

This week’s challenge and prayer is quoted from their email below:

Week 5 Challenge: Fast from long showers and using the tumble dryer

We are over halfway through Lent. What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

This week, we’re focusing on reducing our household energy consumption. Recent price rises have forced us all to take steps to cut our energy use, but many of us still take for granted the availability of plentiful electricity. So reducing electricity and gas consumption is good for the planet as well as our bank accounts. For those of us privileged enough to take electricity for granted, a fast reminds us that access to energy is an issue of climate and social justice.  
Water heaters and tumble dryers use a significant amount of energy. The average Briton showers for 7-9 minutes, with younger people showering for up to 25 minutes. This week, we are reducing the time spent showering, and cutting our tumble dryer use to save electricity (and/or gas).

The Challenge: Limit your showers to 5 minutes or less to reduce the hot water you consume. If a short shower sounds like a struggle, try turning off the water while putting on shampoo, conditioner and soap. If you shower every day, why not shower every other day? Meanwhile, air dry your clothes. Get hold of a clothes drying rack or think about installing an overhead airer. If you have space outside, put up a washing line if you don’t already have one. If you wash your clothes after just one wear, try airing it out and wearing it again before putting it in the wash. 

Why? Currently around 60% of UK electricity comes from burning fossil fuels (the remaining 40% comes from renewables– solar, wind, biomass and hydropower; for those on renewable electricity tariffs this percentage will be higher). The more we can reduce energy demand by limiting the use of energy-intense appliances like water heaters and tumble dryers, the less fossil fuels and other energy sources we consume. Read more about line drying clothes at Consumer Reports’ “Tricks and Tips for Line-Drying Clothes” and head to the Energy Saving Trust for tips on reducing energy consumption at home.

Prayer

Almighty God who causes the sun to shine and the wind to blow, we are grateful for abundant free sources of energy. But we lament the inequity and harm caused by the fossil fuel industry and our consumerism and materialism. 

When we feel cold this week, may we pray urgently for energy equity in our country and around the world. When we add another blanket to keep warm in our homes, may we give generously to charities supporting those in fuel poverty.

Bless the work of governments, businesses and agencies building and increasing access to renewable energy.
Amen.

The Carbon Fast for Lent was created and is run by Climate Stewards.