Organizations to Consider

A Rocha (www.arocha.org) A Christian conservation organization active in 18 different countries (and growing)

Compassion International http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org) 

Equal Exchange http://www.equalexchange.coop/

Evangelical Climate Initiative (www.christiansandclimate.org) 

Feed My Starving Children http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=370

Flourish http://flourishonline.org/

Heifer International http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.183217/?msource=kw4831

Serve God, Save the Planet http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/

The Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/

Target Earth (www.targetearth.org) Christians serving the poor and the planet in 15 countries

World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/

World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlifefund.org) 

Books for Kids and Teens

(to rent from your local library if you can)

It’s (Not) Easy Being Green: One Student’s Guide to Serving God and Saving the Planet by Emma Sleeth (for junior high and high school students)

http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310279259&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

My Space, Our Planet: Change is Possible organized by Jeca Taudte with submissions for planet friendly living from the My Space community (great if you have or know of a teen who lives in the My Space world)

http://www.amazon.com/MySpace-OurPlanet-Possible-Myspace-Community/dp/0061562041

My Bag and Me! by Karen Farmer (ages 2-6, comes with a reusable bag). The story of a child who brings a reusable bag to the store and learns how to make a difference this way

http://www.amazon.com/My-Bag-Me-Karen-Farmer/dp/1591259819

The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell (for all ages, an illustrated, thoughtful yet whimsical look at material goods versus the presence of people you love)

http://www.giftofnothing.com/

I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward (a pocket guide with a simple activity for every season and week of the year)

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Dirt-Activities-Discover-Wonders/dp/1590305353

Books for Parents and Friends

Serve God, Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth (an outstanding overview of the green conversation inside and outside of Christian circles, includes helpful hints on how to live green)

Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet by Jeffrey Sachs (powerful information on poverty, economics, climate change, etc., and how our crowded planet must do life differently if we want to survive. A great resource for those who want detailed information on sustainable living and why it matters)

Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Life by Lori Bongiorno (filled with tips and tricks for eco-friendly living and each option comes in three shades of green, allowing you to choose how deep you want to dive into an option)

Goods for Babies and Children

 

Tom’s Shoes (www.tomsshoes.com), buy a pair and they give a pair to someone in need. Their pink camo Tiny Toms are my favorite but they’ve got tons to choose from (for moms and dads too)

Kushtush Organics (www.kushtushorganics.com), Kushtush offers a wide range of bedding for children, from pillows to crib bumpers (as well as bath towels and even hemp shower curtains). They offer certified organic products that are made in the USA whenever possible (woo hoo!).

Happy Green Baby (www.happygreenbaby.com), Happy Green Baby offers a variety of children’s clothing from several earth-friendly options like soybean fiber, bamboo, organic cotton, and merino wool. They are good for your baby and good for the planet and they define their terms and offer an extensive list of what their products are made from. This is a label reading dream come true. Just click on their “Guide to Eco-Friendly Fabrics” link for details, you will have a chance to learn what their fibers are, where they come from, and why they help.

Tom’s of Maine Products (www.tomsofmaine.com), a veteran of the green world, Tom’s products are a staple in our home. In particular their Silly Strawberry Fluoride-Free Toothpaste for kids. And for mom and dad, their Natural Cleansing Mouthwash (alcohol and saccharin free) tops off your dental care routine without the harsh sting and chemicals from other mouthwashes.

Dr. Bronner’s Soaps (www.drbronner.com), their fair trade, peppermint organic bar soap will make you giddy in the shower or bath. It’s minty, fresh, and everyone in our house just loves the way it feels. A clean wash with a conscience.

Burt’s Bees Baby Washes and Shampoos (www.burtsbees.com), their Baby Bee Bubble Bath is the foamiest earth-friendly bubble bath we’ve used. Lots of bubbles and good for the earth. Their Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash is also wonderful and gentle for little (and big) bodies.

Plan Toys (www.plantoys.com), a company offering green toys that are made with recycled or sustainable harvested materials. Their banjo is my middle son’s favorite, their 4X4 Adventure Car is also quite fun.

Sprig Toys (www.sprigtoys.com), a company that offers battery free toys that still race and light up. Your kids are the power behind these toys and having them power their own toys naturally avoids the tons of batteries we toss out each year. They move your kids from passive to active play and they are eco-friendly and award winning toys too! Their Eco-Trucks are the favorite gift  in our house.

MOPS INTERNATIONAL NOTES (September 2009)

Live Wisely and Well: think before you act

Consider the reality of “greenwashing.” Ask yourself, “do I really need this?” Be sure not to chase after something because it seems trendy. Do things that make sense to God and to the planet.

 

Ditch the disposable life

www.wastefreelunches.org

Find a way to stop throwing out so much trash in the lunchroom at school

Stop using throw-away everything (cups, utensils, water bottles)

 

Energy, water enforcers

low-flow shower heads, dual flush or low flush toilets

Family game, charge money for lights left on or water left running

Run appliances only when full

Hang dry laundry

Wash laundry in cold water (90% of energy for a load comes from heating the water)

Consider a tankless water heating system for your home (initially costs more but long-term savings far outweigh the cost over the lifetime of the water heater)

Use low wattage, LED, or CFL lighting

Keep heat down and AC up to save on bills during winter and summer

Use your blinds and curtains to heat or cool a room before turing on the AC

 

Look for biodegradable soaps and cleaners – these are usually phosphate free and do not harm streams and local eco-systems

- Seventh Generation, Ecos, Charlie’s Soap are good ones to consider, Mrs. Meyers too

 

EPA says household air is among most toxic, in part due to the chemicals in household cleaners. Air out your home and swap out toxic stuff for earth friendly products

 

Green Mama at church

ask your senior pastor to consider tweaks that will help your congregation understand what environmental stewardship is

Consider motion sensor lighting in bathrooms and classrooms

Recycle

Consider swapping out Styrofoam cups for coffee mugs

Ask your pastor to consider a sermon on Caring for Creation (Genesis)

Send your pastor on-line to check out the following organizations (Flourish, Floresta, A Rocha USA, Evangelical Environmental Network, Creation Care Magazine)

 

Try to buy or use Fair Trade or Fair Made products whenever possible

- great idea at church might be to research a fair trade coffee organization and then take your church down to that area on a mission project. Your congregation could actually meet the people growing their coffee on a Sunday morning! Look for the long term partnership possibilities in these organizations (Opportunity International is a good place to start looking. Also consider Coffee Ambassadors for coffee)

 

Landscape with native species

 

Get a rain barrel, consider using gray water to water plants and garden

 

Consider gardening (even if you live in a high rise), composting

 

Ask your local government to back up recycling if they do not yet

 

Visit www.earth911.org to look up places and ways to recycle products you are unsure how to dispose of.

 

Drive Smarter!

walk when you can

Carpool

Do not idle if more than 30 seconds (ATM, school drop offs)

Drive the speed limit (if you can

Drive the smallest, most fuel efficient car you can manage

 

Share and swap EVERYTHING you can (share clothing, toys, strollers, baby items – no need to buy most of these brand new)

 

Thrift stores! (new ones popping up everywhere in this economy)

 

If you are remodeling or adding on to your home, consider green building options. Use products that are harvested sustainably (wood). Consider flooring and paint that have low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds – responsible for some of the poor indoor air quality). Try to reuse and repurpose old flooring, siding etc.

 

Insulate your home properly. Fix leaky faucets etc.

 

Help your kids choose the things they love and help them participate in programs to help the cause they select. Consider adopting an animal from the zoo or participating in a local trail clean up project. Also consider participating in larger events like Arbor Day or Earth Day. Or, create your own event at your church or in your community.

 

Never underestimate the power of gardening. Grow and eat as much as you can on your own. Try to eat seasonally and discover what grows best where you life. Consider the book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver to get started.

 

You do not need to be a vegetarian to be a bit “greener,” but meat does place more of a burden on the environment than eating grains and vegetables do. Most Americans eat meat 2-3 times per day. Consider skipping meat a few times a week as a way to get started. Look up the facts on meat eating in the classic book “Diet for a Small Planet.”