Caring for the earth is a spiritual discipline.  As Sandy said in her sermon on Sunday, we care for creation because God loves creation and we love God.  In that spirit, the Green Task Force is asking First UCC members to make their own pledge of carbon reduction.

FIRST, read the pledge below and check one or more things you will do.

SECOND, fill out the Minnesota Energy Challenge online (there’s a long and a short version).

Third, post this pledge where you can see it, give thanks to God’s creation by pursuing your goals, & return next year to report on what you have done & pledge action anew.

You can learn what other UCC churches are doing by reading this article from the United Church News.

I pledge to work to become CARBON NEUTRAL. Select one or more actions listed below and pledge your commitment to take action and make a difference!

__ replace 5 incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Save 535# CO2 emissions/yr

__ turn my thermostat down 2 degrees in winter & up 2 degrees in summer. Saves 2,000# CO2 emissions/yr

__ drive 10 fewer miles/wk by combining trips, carpooling, walking, biking or taking mass transit. Saves 500# C02 emissions /yr

__ check tires weekly and keep them properly inflated. Saves 2500# C02 emissions /yr

__ clean or replace furnace & AC filter regularly. Saves 350# C02 emissions /yr

__ air dry my clothes 6 mo/yr. Saves 700# C02 emissions /yr

__ avoid buying heavily packaged, non-recyclable goods. Saves 500# C02 emissions /yr

__ recycle as much as I can at home, church, work and/or school. Saves 500# C02 emissions /yr

__ buy items made from recycled materials; take my own bags to shop. Saves 500# C02 emissions /yr

__ plant a tree or give to an organization to plant trees for me. One tree absorbs a ton of CO2 during its lifetime!

__ learn more about becoming carbon neutral and take the MN Energy Challenge at:

www.mnenergychallenge.org

__ you name the carbon reduction idea(s) & amount(s) saved; many more are out there.

Your Signature ______________________________ Date _____________________

Going Carbon Neutral – Why it Matters: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common greenhouse gas and main culprit behind global warming that we can change. In the average Minnesota home (with vehicle), each person produces 10.8 tons of CO2 emissions/yr, contributing to quantities building up as excess in the atmosphere & oceans.