Earth Care Committee
The Earth Care Committee addresses issues relating to our planet, our resources, our environment and the sustainability of life. Topics we work on include climate change, reducing carbon emissions, clean and renewable sources of power and water, and waste reduction and recycling. Activities include educational events, such as the EV and Water Conservation events, direct social action and our annual walk to the nearby Butterfly Garden. Below are a few ideas and resources to assist you in moving forward.
Ditch the Plastic.
Buy products in plastic-free containers:
toothpaste bites - bitestoothpastebits.com
lip balm in cardboard container – sfsustainable.com
biodegradable bamboo dental floss – boonboo.com
Blueland dishwasher and laundry tablets – blueland.com
Eat a plant based diet for the planet’s health and yours.
Fish, lentils, tofu, eggplant, mushrooms, seeds and peanuts are all good protein sources. Globally, animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined. You could start with one meatless meal a week.
City of Austin Rebates
https://www.austintexas.gov/department/rebates-tools-programs#Residential
1. Pool rebates – Up to $200 for pool cover. Up to $250 to replace sand or Diatomaceous Earth pool filter with cartridge filter.
2. Install a RAINWATER collection system to collect free water. Rebates of up to $1000 depending on capacity.
3. Replace your water guzzling grass with a wildlife habitat and earn a water wise rebate up to $3000. Choose from alternatives such as the blend of grasses developed by the Ladybird Wildflower Center and UT/Austin called Habiturf or select plants from the GrowGreen.org resource guide which lists native and low water plants.
Environmenal Organizations to Consider Supporting:
St. Andrew’s does not necessarily agree with all the statements found on these websites.
Rainforest Trust – is a third-party fundraiser promoting the best projects in global wildlife conservation.
Ceres – is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy.
Environmental Defense Fund – the mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends.
Interfaith Environmental Network – Inspiring the Austin area faith community to live out the common call of environmental stewardship. St. Andrew’s is a member of and financially supports IEN.
Interfaith Power & Light (National organization) – The mission is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy, efficiency, and renewable energy.
Natural Resources Defense Council – works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
Natural History Museum of Palestine – works to research, educate about, and conserve our natural world, culture and heritage and use knowledge to promote responsible human interactions with our environment.
Presbyterians for Earth Care – invites individuals and congregations to participate in the growing earth care movement within the PC (USA). PEC is a national eco-justice network that cares for God’s creation by connecting, equipping, and inspiring Presbyterians to make creation care a central concern of the church.
Sierra Club, Austin – The Austin Regional Group of the Sierra Club is a volunteer organization of over 5000 members and has been an integral part of the Austin scene since 1968. Their goal is to ensure that the Austin area remains a healthy, vibrant, place to live.
Union of Concerned Scientists – The organization’s scientists and engineers develop and implement innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.
350-Austin.org
– uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all.