Below are some things to ponder:

“I have a dream… “Martin Luther King cast his vision for all to see and aspire to.  He also worked to bring it about. What is your dream for creation? For justice?  How will you work to bring about a healthy, equitable, and inclusive future for all of God’s kin-dom?  Read God’s vision: Isaiah 65:17-25.

What if we switched to renewable energy?  What if rooftops welcomed the sun with solar panels?  What if plentiful green spaces were filled with trees and pollinators and grew organic food for the community? What if oceans were clear of plastic?  What if humans and all of nature were thriving, not merely surviving? 

Imagine you live in a recreational vehicle (RV).  Your water tank holds only 50 gallons.  Every time you turn on the water, the noisy electric pump turns on to sucking up your RV’s battery power.  Would you keep the water running while you brush your teeth or rinse the dishes?  Would you take long showers?  Imagine saving the world. 

Moving or decluttering?  Keep in mind that 146 million tons of solid waste goes into landfills in the U.S. every year.  Imagine that located in “someone else’s backyard”.   Landfills are notorious for environmental injustice and for methane, which contributes to global warming.  Look for alternatives. Donate, rehome, or recycle instead of trashing. 

When you need to return an item of clothing you bought online, do you imagine it is handled with care and eventually sold to someone else?  Unfortunately, much of what is sent back gets sent on to landfills.  Before you buy, take your measurements, use the size charts, and rely on customer reviews.  Before you return anything, check with friends.  Perhaps they would add the piece to their wardrobe if it’s right for them.

Imagine your home as warm as you need it to be without costing you or Earth a penalty.  Reap the advantages of a smart thermostat for heating and cooling, add weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors, or add thermal drapes or blinds for insulation.  These relatively inexpensive changes pay off rapidly for you and for future generations of earth-dwellers.

Feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to be done to protect the planet and its people?  Imagine a huge bowl of something you’d like to eat.  You take a bite and then another bite – not the whole thing at once.  Choose one action you can do and do it.  Don’t stop there. Take on another “bite” and then another.  You are making a difference. THANK YOU!