The Diocese of Ohio has challenged all congregations and Episcopalians to take a small action for the earth’s environment. They will exchange incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents according to Phina Borgeson reporting for Episcopal Life Online:
Sixty of 95 congregations have exchanged their incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents (CFLs) so far this summer in the Diocese of Ohio’s “How Many Light Bulbs Does it Take to Change an Episcopalian?” campaign to reduce its carbon footprint.
“That’s 5,431 bulbs,” reports intern Andy Barnett. He estimates that when the bulb exchange is completed it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,640,000 pounds and mercury emissions by more than 41,000 milligrams over the next nine years. It will also bring savings of more than $298,700.
Barnett, a recent graduate of Oberlin College, has been contacting churches, collecting orders for CFLs, and working with volunteers to deliver bulbs and recycling stations to churches.
Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. of the Diocese of Ohio challenged all the Episcopal congregations in northern Ohio to replace as many incandescent bulbs as possible with CFLs. He also invited every parishioner in his diocese to try CFLs in the five most-used light fixtures in their homes.
Deacon Phina Borgeson is Episcopal Life Media correspondent for FEAST, the reporting series on Faith, Environment, Advocacy, Science and Technology. She is based in Santa Rosa, California.
Read it all here.
What is your congregation doing to “go green”?
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How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take To Change A Christian?
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