What You Can Do
It’s up to us. You and me. It’s time to make a choice, to be part of the problem, or part of the solution. Become aware. Don’t feel powerless, don’t feel afraid and don’t feel alone. There is so much you can do to make an impact now and in the future. There is no shortage of potential actions. Whether you represent a church, a school, a neighborhood, an office park, a business, or are a homeowner… your toughest job will be to choose the ways in which you can make the most impact.
“As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: ‘Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation’. [22] All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” [Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ encyclical, par. 14, emphasis added]
As outlined in the Laudato Si Atlanta Action Plan, here are ten potential areas of improvement and just a few examples:
Learning, Communicating and Starting
Learn from experts, educate leaders, form a team…- Energy Conservation and Efficiency
Get an energy audit, improve insulation, install better thermostats… - Purchasing and Recycling Practices
Think then buy, recycle, use your own shopping bag and coffee cup… - Transportation
Properly inflate car tires, plan car trips, avoid drive-through lines… - Water Conservation
Repair leaks, install low-flow fixtures, plant drought-tolerant plants… - Buying and Sharing of Food
Avoid bottled water, don’t waste food, try “Meatless Mondays”… - Creating Sustainable Landscapes
Create a water-wise landscape, reduce lawn size, create a wildlife habitat… - Assisting Climate-Vulnerable Populations
Know those in your community who are most vulnerable, assist as needed… - Involving Young People
Celebrate St. Francis Day, cultivate a school garden, recycle… - Political Action
Become informed, lobby your elected representative, join an environmental group…
For a more complete list of potential actions, view or download our Action Planning Checklist.
“But we need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair. Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems.” [Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ encyclical, par. 61, emphasis added]
There are many simple, practical changes that you can make today, and there will be even more tomorrow.
The number and variety of potential actions – and the sheer volume of available information, services and products — may seem overwhelming.
How can you choose the right actions for you, and then decide how and when to do them? How can you get started? How can you help your church, school, neighborhood, office park, business and family to do these things as a community?
“There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions… these reflect a generous and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings. Reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, when done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity.” [Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ encyclical, par. 211, emphasis added]
We strive to “Make It Easy To Be Green.” We can save you time and effort, and help you to get faster answers, actions and results. We provide an easy way for you consider how to be a better steward, build your own action plan, take action and make a real difference in the near and long term. If you need help, please contact us.
