Fourth week of Lent | March 14-20 2010
Christian Simplicity Online at www.lent45.org
Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus – Living in Harmony with Creation, God and the Entire Human Family
Energy Our Lenten practice in simplicity this week is to use energy more efficiently..
Energy is necessary to support life.
But coal, gas and oil are limited
resources. We need clean energy “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world
and we need to use it efficiently.
and all that lives upon it” – Psalm 24:1
We need energy to live and our appliances need energy
in order to function. But where does energy come from?
E
Most of the energy used to keep our homes cozy, our appliances
What the Church is Saying
L
humming, and our cars running comes from fossil fuels – coal,
oil and natural gas. These enable us to live with comfort and
1. The Obligation to Lower Energy Consumption
P
conveniences. However, because energy seems to just come out
of the socket, most of us are unaware of how our energy choices “The technologically advanced societies can and must lower their domestic
affect God’s creation. Electric power plants that convert coal into energy consumption, either through an evolution in manufacturing methods
or through greater ecological sensitivity among their citizens. It should be
electricity are the country’s largest industrial source of pollutants.
M
added that at present it is possible to achieve improved energy efficiency
Each of us has a responsibility to use energy more efficiently. while at the same time encouraging research into alternative forms of
Conserving energy translates into cleaner air, cleaner water, energy. What is also needed, though, is a worldwide redistribution of energy
A
and preservation of our land from damage caused by drilling or resources, so that countries lacking those resources can have access to them.”
mountaintop removal mining of coal. A bonus is that it also saves – Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas In Veritate, 2009
us money.
S
2. Vatican Solar Panels
Remember being told: “Before you leave, turn off the lights” or
In 2008, the roof of the papal audience auditorium was covered with 2,400
“Shut the door, the heater is on”? Our homes are a terrific place
solar panels to produce energy for the Vatican, cutting carbon-dioxide
to begin making a difference in energy consumption. This week of emissions by the Vatican by about 225 tons. In April 2009, the Vatican
Lent you can learn simple ways to make your home more energy announced that it will build the biggest solar plant in Europe, harnessing
efficient. Small steps add up to important ways of caring for creation sunlight on a grand scale to help create renewable energy.
and saving precious non-renewable resources for
future generations. 3. Protecting the Air We Breathe
We live in an energy-hungry country. God has “As people of religious faith, we …believe that the atmosphere that
entrusted one Earth to us – we must learn supports life on earth is a God-given gift, one we must respect and protect.
to care for it and share it. It unites us as one human family. If we harm the atmosphere, we dishonor
our Creator and the gift of creation.”
–– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001
4. A More Sober Lifestyle: Reduce Consumption and
Small steps add up to Improve Efficiency
important ways of caring “To be sure, among the basic problems which the international community
for creation and saving has to address is that of energy resources.... Technologically advanced
precious non-renewable societies must be prepared to encourage more sober lifestyles, while
reducing their energy consumption and improving its efficiency.”
resources for
– Pope Benedict XVI, 2010
future generations.
“I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” – Helen Keller
Imagine if the Earth were divided equally among all of us. Each person would receive 4.5 acres. Now imagine that everything you need – food, energy, home,
clothing, gadgets – must come from those 4.5 acres. But it takes 22.3 acres to maintain the average American lifestyle. There is a new way of observing Lent
Page 1
that helps us care for God’s creation by taking steps toward using only our fair share of its resources. Moving in the direction of 4.5 is essential for anyone
walking in the footsteps of Jesus today. Online at www.lent45.org
Online at www.lent45.org
Christian Simplicity
Know Where Your Energy Comes From
91% of Kentucky’s electricity comes from coal. To extract coal
Action Steps in the cheapest way possible, companies commonly use a
technique called Mountaintop Removal. They scrape away the
forests and topsoil, blast off up to 800 feet of the mountain,
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases released into scoop out the coal, and with giant machines push tons of rock
the atmosphere by burning fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas. These and debris into valleys and streams below. The result has been
gases affect the air we breathe and the quality of life on our planet. extensive damage to nearby homes and communities, as well
as poisoning the source of water we use downstream.
In our country, it is extremely difficult to avoid using any one of these
for energy. Yet we must take steps to reduce our carbon emissions.
This week, try fasting from carbon. Try to identify patterns of use that Heated Water –Think it through.
E
waste energy. Unplug, turn off, power down. From the options below,
Dishwashing, laundry and showers – use the shortest wash that will
check the boxes of the steps you can take. Small changes at the personal
L
get the job done.
level can lay the foundation for change at the national level.
Procrastinate. Run dishwasher only when it’s full. Air dry is free!
P
If There’s Only One Thing You Can Do … Forgo overheating water. Set water heater to 120 degrees
Give up incandescent lightbulbs. By using energy efficient bulbs you (140 if using a dishwasher).
can conserve energy, avoid emitting 700-800 pounds of carbon dioxide
Appliances
M
a year, and save money. Turning off unnecessary lights also helps.
Abstain from the clothes dryer (or over-drying) whenever possible.
The main energy draw at home is heating and cooling your water
Line drying saves energy and money.
and air. Any changes in these areas can have a huge impact. The next
A
biggest users are appliances and lighting. Use energy-saving settings on the big four: refrigerator, dishwasher,
clothes washer and dryer.
S
Heating and Cooling Air Power down. Electricity is consumed by appliances (TV, computers,
Give up 2 degrees. For every degree you turn your thermostat below anything with a red light) even when they’re not active. Use power strips to
68 (in winter) or above 78 (in summer) you can save 3-5% of your turn them off when not in use.
heating and cooling use and costs. Get an energy audit from your local utility company.
Keep heated and cooled air in the house. Make sure your doors and When replacing appliances, go with Energy Star models.
windows are sealed. Give up TV for Lent – not just as an act of self-denial, but using the time to
Install a programmable thermostat for comfort and savings. strengthen yourself spiritually.
Steps Continued
Prayer Available online at www.Lent45.org
Creator God, 1. Take the virtual energy savings tour of your home.
you are the light of the world.
2. Identify the best ways to save energy by using the
Forgive us for acting as if creation
Home Energy Saving Calculator.
belongs to us, rather than you.
As we search for ways to light 3. Learn how Mountaintop Removal is devastating
and energize our homes, teach us God’s creation and harming the poorest in our state.
lifestyles which are a blessing
4. Read Wendell Berry’s essay on how our country is
for creation and all your creatures.
being destroyed by greedy consumption.
We rely upon your Spirit to
illuminate our way. – Amen. 5. Look into Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light.
Passionist Earth & Spirit Center online resources available at www.earthandspiritcenter.org
Page 2
© Copyright 2010 by Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, Louisville, KY