From the GREEN Anglicans - to help you in the #carbonfastforlent

GREEN Anglicans

Save your cents! ‪#‎carbonfastforlent‬

You are my lamp, o Lord, 
the Lord turns my darkness into light – 2 Sam 22:29

Today have a thorough look at your daily life
Take time today to make a note of each time you use electricity – and how much. 

This could be switching on your kettle for your first cup of coffee, 

turning on lights, computers, TVs, vacuum cleaners, 

to going through the check-out at the supermarket.

Over the course of the day, you will be surprised 

just how much electricity you DO use!
Take a look at your list – 

were there times when your electricity usage was not crucial? 

Will you be able to address electricity wastage going forward?

Make those small changes immediately-
discuss with the family ways to make sure
that lights are turned off, appliances unplugged.
And then consider the easy actions
• change your light bulbs to energy efficient (use LED), 
put a blanket on your geyser (water heater) and install a timer.
• check your geyser: You can actually check how much heat your geyser 
 is losing by simply placing your hand on the geyser. 
If you feel your geyser is warm,
then you know it needs a geyser blanket because it is losing heat.
Insulate your hot water tank, turn it down to 60⁰C (most are set at 70)
and consider investing in the bigger actions

• Solar Water Heater
Having a solar water heater installed can drastically reduce power consumption
at home and save a ton of electricity!
Using a solar water heater can save up to two thirds
of the total water heating cost you build up at home.
If you consider the costs of electricity, a solar water heater
will pay itself off within six years.

• Insulation
Invest in good insulation in your roof,
this will save on heating and you will be more comfortable

• How do you heat?
Look at what you use to heat and cook.
Can you look at changing from electricity to gas which is more efficient?
Can you use a more efficient heating source..lose those blower fans!!!
And watch this video clip to remind yourself
that every time to turn on something you are
adding carbon emissions to the planet..?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcMNZueIyNI

The old adage - "Never look a gift horse in the mouth" - seems to fit the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott

From Jody - Common Grace

Dear Friend,

Would you tweet Bill Shorten right now? Here’s why. 

Last December, we crowd-funded solar panels for Kirribilli House, the Prime Minister’s Sydney residence, as a gift for our nation. 142 generous Common Grace members contributed and a group of local pastors delivered news of the gift to the Prime Minister’s Manly office.

However in March, we were informed that the gift was rejected by the Abbott Government, in a letter from Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Michael McCormack MP, citing concerns about Kirribilli House’s heritage listing and the cost of cleaning the solar panels.

When the Australian Solar Council advised us the Government’s reasons for not accepting the gift didn’t stack up, local pastors again returned to the Prime Minister’s office with an open letter signed by almost 1000 Common Grace members, urging him to accept the gift. Mainstream media covered the story extensively.

Unfortunately this week, we received a second letter, again rejecting the gift. This time there were no reasons given.

Christians across Australia have expressed deep concern that our current Government has shown itself to be unwilling to lead in caring for God’s creation and is out of step with the rest of the world. While the world as a whole has added more new renewable capacity than fossil fuels and nuclear combined in 2013 and 2014¹, here in Australia, large-scale renewables investment has plummeted by 88% in 2014².

But if the PM won’t show leadership on renewables, then who will? We’ve given Mr Abbott two chances to accept the gift – perhaps it’s only fair that we give Bill Shorten at least one.

Tweet Bill Shorten and ask him if he will commit to install the solar panels gift on Kirribilli House if elected

As Christians, we take caring for God’s good creation seriously. We have a unique perspective that our elected representatives need to hear. Our world is a gift to share not a resource to exploit.

For us, this isn't about partisan politics – it is about love, justice and wisdom. This is putting into practice our calling to care for God's world and to show love to the world's poor who are most affected by climate change.

Will Mr Shorten accept our gift as a symbol that Labor is ready to show real leadership on renewables? Let’s tweet him and ask!

The Labor Party is set to make critical decisions about their climate justice targets at the Labor conference in July. If Labor commits to stronger renewables and emission reduction targets, it will pressure the Government to do the same and help to position renewables as a major issue at the next Federal election.

Let’s make sure Mr Shorten hears the message loud and clear – Christians want to see a clean energy future.

Click here to ask Mr Shorten to #acceptthegift

From Jody, Byron, Kylie and the whole Common Grace team.

 

P.S. Please continue to pray for PM Abbott, Mr Shorten, and all of our political representatives. Let's pray that they will realise their potential to create more just and sustainable world and lead with courage.

P.P.S If you don't have Twitter, that's OK. Share this graphic on Facebook from here.


References:
1. The Global Renewable Energy Boom: How Australia is Missing Out, Climate Council, 20/3/15
2. BNEF: New Clean Power Capacity Passes New Fossil Fuel Capacity … Never Turning Back, Clean Technica, 25/04/15

Common Grace
http://www.commongrace.org.au/