When someone stands up and starts talking about the environment it’s easy to think that doesn’t affect me – I try to remember to bring my own bags and do my recycling, what more do they want? If Jesus stood up to ask what are you doing to protect the planet He entrusted to us, the answer might be a little more thoughtful.

As Christians, that is surely what we must think about every time we go shopping, approach the rubbish bin, stock-up or clear-out our fridge or even walk away from the TV before going to bed. Luci Isaacson, who is part of Climate Vision as well as the environmental officer for the diocese, recently visited St George’s in Truro and Holy Commotion, an emerging church for families in Archbishop Benson School, to raise awareness of what we all can do.

Father Chris Epps said afterwards, “It really made us think. Even from turning off the TV rather than leaving it on standby – it’s so easy to do and not only makes a difference to the environment but can save money too.”

“Pester power is a wonderful thing!”

The congregation of the parish that Father Chris looks after, apart from Holy Commotion, is mostly traditional and appeals to the older generation. Surely all this environmental stuff isn’t relevant to them?

“It really is – the talk Luci gave had a positive impact on everybody. As Christians, we are stewards of God’s earth and should take seriously our responsibilities to look after it. It needn’t be hard. The pledges make sense and provoked a positive response from our congregations. From the older generations to the young children – capture children’s hearts and you’ll capture the parents. Pester power is a wonderful thing!”

There are ten pledges that each and every one of us could copy out and stick on our fridges, ranging from the very simple – pledging to buy local seasonal produce for just two meals a week – to the slightly more challenging – pledging to drive in a greener way and booking lessons with an eco-driver to find out how.

Change can only happen if it starts with us

But the point is none of them are life-changing on their own, but together, and with more of us taking them seriously, we could make a huge difference to our locality and the wider world. Change can only happen if it starts with us.

As a reminder, the pledges listed here:

  1. I pledge to ring my electricity supplier over the next 24 hours and see if I can switch to green energy (if not I will find one)!
  2. I pledge to buy local seasonal produce as much as possible – starting with at least 2 meals a week
  3. I pledge to educate myself about the science and impacts of climate change
  4. I pledge to contact my MP and my friends and make these pledges too
  5. I pledge to walk, cycle, use public transport or register with https://liftshare.com/uk/community/cornwallto travel to work or regular journey at least once a week.
  6. I pledge to work out my own carbon footprint using one of the many easy to use carbon calculators eg, http://footprint.wwf.org.uk
  7. I pledge to do a ‘home energy check’ to find out how I can save energy in my home. Click here to follow steps.(If you don’t have internet, ask the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012)
  8. I pledge to turn my thermostat down or use a thermometer to reach the lowest comfortable temperature, typically between 18-21°C & think about putting on a jumper instead.
  9. I pledge to reduce my holiday air miles by 50%.
  10. I pledge to research ‘Driving in a greener way’ by google/research or by ringing up a driving instructor and booking a lesson to learn eco-drive ideas.