Lifestyle: Individual/Family

See Also:

Church and Church Groups (see also below)

Church and Community (see also below)

Churches Thinking Globally and Acting Locally (see also below)

Advocacy & Campaigning (see also below)

INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES

As individuals we count, before God and in the great scheme of things. Yes, we can make a difference by the way we walk with God, live our lives in our home, community, church, place of learning or workplace.

As families we can learn together and consider, make choices and choose lifestyles, both individually and as a family, that please God and support his whole creation, displaying care for those who live in poverty.

We can Involve all the family in the lifestyle choices we make. The children may well be more aware of the issues and practical daily options than many of us adults. Many schools are leading the way and encouraging our children and young people to walk more lightly.

Look together at the kids zone, school zone and youth zone pages. They are packed with ideas and resources.

The children can take a lead in encouraging their school to become an eco school. This programme is child led. They can also encourage their church youth group, or even the whole church to become an eco congregation.

Photo: Eco Congregations

Adults can make a difference in the home, work place, community and church. Take a look at the church/church group, church and community, and church:local and global pages which are full of ideas.

If you are looking for inspiring examples look at the stories page.

The Part You Play: Climate Chance from a Christian Perspective. This short Tearfund booklet introduces climate change from a Christian perspective, the impact it is already having on poor communities and how you can join the church's response. Click here to order

Find out your Carbon Footprint: Our carbon footprint is a gauge of the impact our activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. It is calculated in units of carbon dioxide, and is a measure of the relative impact of our lifestyle on the world's resources. Shrink your footprint and you contribute to slowing down and then reducing global climate change. Calculate your own carbon footprint 'My Footprint' calculator or Carbon Calculator.

Do a Home Energy Check: Undertake a home energy check from the Energy Savings Trust

Switch to a green energy supplier: Compare green energy suppliers at energyhelpline

Consider Simple Lifestyle Changes:

Join the ‘Live Simply’ campaign (CAFOD)

Recycle: Reduce the amount of waste you generate; reuse whenever you can; and where you must throw away recycle as much as possible. Use kerbside recycling and local depots (when you’re passing anyway; don’t drive there specially). Many recycling centres now take a very wide range of goods including: plastic containers, plastic bags, foil, tetrapaks (drinks cartons), textiles, batteries, etc. Freecycle groups and efreeko both match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them, keeping usable items out of landfills: click 'freecycle' and 'efreeko' for more information.

Composting: Consider composting or use council green bins at kerbside.

Use your consumer power: Buy less and shop locally. Buy local, seasonal and UK produce whenever possible. For those goods that are imported buy Fairtrade produce and fairly traded crafts and clothes, which guarantees a fair price to the producer, support for community development and good environmental standards in production.

Christian Ecology Link run the LOAF campaign to persuade people to buy food that is:

L ocally produced

O rganically grown

A nimal friendly

F airly traded

Travel less and by more sustainable means: Walk or cycle where possible; use public transport if it is available especially for longer journeys; car share Lift Share Scheme; consider not flying; holiday closer to home.

Kendal area are considering establishing a Kendal Car Club Scheme. Carplus is a national charity that works toward developing more sustainable means of travel.

South Lakeland District Council and Carplus are working together to help create a car club for Kendal and are committed to encouraging sustainable transport in the District.

As part of our plans for Kendal, we are now trying to find out where potential users of the car club live, where car club vehicles would be best placed to suit the community, and to find out your attitudes to the idea. Find out about the benefits etc.

Get involved in Advocacy and Campaigning

See also Lifestyle:

Church Group, Church and Local Community, Churches Thinking Globally & Acting Locally