GreenFaith: Stewardship

The Five Steps to Energy Conservation

Have your House of Worship’s Governing Body Make a Public Commitment to Conserve Energy

When institutional leaders make a public commitment, they are more likely to change behavior.
GreenFaith can provide language for a sample Governing Board resolution… just ask us! E-mail your request to info@GreenFaith.org.
Publicize this commitment in your house of worship, or in a sermon. Let your members know about it!

Choose an Energy Steward

Without making energy an individual’s job, conservation slips through the cracks.
Clergy and leaders should offer public support.
The Steward can model/enforce new energy habits.
Make a brief monthly report to the Governing Body until conservation is a habit
The Steward should establish a baseline for energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to the baseline, oversee energy education of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.
GreenFaith can provide training and resources.
No specialized experience needed.

Establish a Baseline and a Target for your Energy Use

Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’ve saved energy.
Gather your past two years’ energy bills.
Enter the monthly energy usage figures (not cost) in GreenFaith’s Energy Spreadsheet. The spreadsheet calculates your baseline annual energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful that seasonal variation from year to year is inevitable.
Aim for a 10% reduction in relation to the baseline during your first year.

Identify Energy Conservation Measures

Through energy audits at 2 dozen houses of worship, GreenFaith has identified twelve priority items which, when addressed, tend to yield the greatest energy savings.
GreenFaith has divided these into five sections: People; Temperature; Lighting; Appliances; and Water.

Evaluate Results, Praise and Publicize, take Next Steps

Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmental impact.
Report results – financial and environmental. Remember – you’re educating about good stewardship and the link between energy, the environment, and financial responsibility.
Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper stating that your house of worship is fighting global warming through energy conservation.
Show that your institution believes care for the earth is a religious value.

Upcoming Events:

Meeting the Sacred in Creation Retreats Offered in Hudson Valley, Pacific Northwest, Southeast in April, May, October 2007.

New Brunswick Environmental Health and Justice Tour, April 18, 2007.

Prof. Larry Rasmussen to Keynote April 23, 2007 Interfaith Environmental Conference with Drew Theological School.