Counting On … – Page 24

Counting on … Day 53

1st May 2025

Whilst switching our finances may have the biggest impact, it is not necessarily an impact we can see straight away. Other lifestyle changes can have a more visible impact.

Turning down the heating, shorter showers, fitting LED light bulbs, etc will produce a visible drop in energy use. Using refill options, reusing cotton bags, and generally avoiding plastic packaging, will produce a visible reduction in plastic either going into the recycling or the dustbin. And reducing plastic, reduces both the consumption of oil and pollution. Driving less and using active travel (walking, cycling etc) and public transport options, will produce a visible reduction in fuel consumption.

Such visible impacts are encouraging because we can see that changes in the way we live do improve the wellbeing of the climate and environment.

Life style changes – sources of information

From the BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49997755

From Friends of the Earth – https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/saving-planet-top-tips-help-climate-and-nature

From Imperial College –https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/climate-action/

From Greenpeace – https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/climate-change/solutions-climate-change/

From Green Christian – https://www.greenchristian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/leaflet/nine-ways.pdf

Counting on … Day 52

30th April 2025

Becoming more informed, you will become aware of the many lifestyles changes that we can make to begin to address the climate crisis.

Make My Money Matter argued that the most impactful change we can make is to switch to a green pension provider – ie one that doesn’t fund fossil fuels. All commercial undertakings including fossil fuel exploration and extraction rely on finance and the operations of the financial sector – whether that is banking that enables the continuing day to day, week to week, and year year transactions of ongoing the business;; insurance protection for every aspect of the business; investment in expansion and new enterprises; maintaining share values and dividend payments etc. Many pension funds – as well as banks, mortgage and insurance companies – are key players in ensuring the flow of such finances.

Although Make My Money Matter closed this year, their website is, for the current year, a good source of information on pensions and banking.

Make My Money Matter

Ethical Consumer is another good source of information on matter financial – subscribing enables you to access their reports in full

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/money-finance/shopping-guide/ethical-pensions

And for climate friendly banking options – https://justmoney.org.uk/the-big-bank-switch/

Counting on … Day 51

29th April 2025

Where should I start?

By being well informed. Read reputable articles (see selection below) and books about the causes and impact of climate change and the climate crisis.

From Friends of the Earth

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/climate-change-facts-science-and-impacts

From the Natural History Museum

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/climate-change.html

From the Grantham Institute

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/climate-change-faqs/

From the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24021772

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00049b1

From Greenpeace

Climate change

Keep up to date with a reputable newspaper – I read The Guardian.

Counting on … Day 50

28th April 2025

The ‘silent majority’ – those who believe that the climate crisis is serious but yet do nothing – covers 89% of the population globally (1)

If that group could be persuaded or enabled to take action, the consequences would be dramatic. What holds people back is

* a fear of impotence (what I do won’t make a difference),

* a fear of social isolation (people won’t respect what I do and may mock me)

* a fear of loosing out (if I change, my standard of living will drop vis a vis my peers)

* lack of social and economic support (I can’t make any change because the system is set against it eg I can’t give up driving because there is no local reliable/ affordable public transport).

And given all the above, there is an equally important question ‘What should I do and where should I start?’ which can feel so overwhelming that doing nothing seems a reasonable response.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/22/activate-climate-silent-majority-support-supercharge-action?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … Day 49

25th April 2025

Today is World Penguin Day! (1)

Penguins “are critical players in maintaining the health and balance of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In essence, the purpose of penguins is multifaceted: they act as nutrient transporters, keystone species, and indicators of environmental health. They contribute significantly to biodiversity, and their presence or absence tells a crucial story about the overall health of our oceans and planet.” (2)

Can I recommend Penguin Lessons? Both the book by Tom Michell and the film inspired by the book?

(1) https://www.penguinsinternational.org/worldpenguinday/

(2) https://enviroliteracy.org/what-is-the-purpose-of-penguins-on-earth/

Counting on … Day 48

24th April 2025

Domestic animals also encompasses life stock – cows, sheep, pigs, hens etc. When we see prepared dairy produce or meat on sale in shops or restaurants, it is easy to forget or ignore the welfare of the animal that has provided this food. Ethical Consumer regularly produces research on this topic so that we as consumers can make informed choices.

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/animal-rights-food-industry

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/climate-action-10-steps-cut-down-meat-dairy

Counting on … Day 47

23rd April 2025

Today is St George’s Day. Amongst other things, this saint is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers being a group of saints venerated for the benefit of their prayers vis a vis different diseases. St George is one who protects the health of domestic animals.

Pets in particular can be very important in giving us joy and companionship and a sense of purpose. They can also teach us about the importance of trust and not overthinking! Our relationship with our pets should be reciprocal, giving and receiving – and we both in our lifestyles should be mindful of our relationships with the rest of creation. Neither we nor our pets should be indiscriminate or thoughtless as users of the Earth’s resources.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-be-eco-friendly-pet-owner

Counting on … Day 46

22nd April 2025

Today is Earth Day.

Earth Day was first observed in 1970. The Earth Day organisation aims to “broaden, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.” Each year has its own theme; this year’s is entitled “Our Power, Our Planet” and is a call to expand renewable energy so as to triple clean electricity by 2030.

The Earth Day organisation has a fact sheet and a petition:-

“We call on global leaders to commit to:

Tripling renewable energy generation by 2030: Advancing clean energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and hydropower. This ambitious target supports global climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement, opened for signatures on Earth Day 2016.
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions: Rapidly transitioning to renewable energy is the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fighting climate change and lowering energy prices for everyone.
Phasing out fossil fuels: The renewable energy sector has taken off globally but the world is still producing more CO2 than ever before because of our over reliance on fossil fuels. This needs to end with meaningful policies supporting the rapid growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The world economy must favor renewable energy, ensuring that the “beginning of the end” of fossil fuels is realized.
Investing in clean energy infrastructure: In 2022 the fossil fuel industry was subsidized globally to the tune of $7 trillion. We must realign these subsidies to support the growth of desperately needed renewable energy, including infrastructure to accelerate the transition. We need smart grids, new high voltage transmission lines, local distribution networks and long term battery storage. This will drive economic, environmental, and energy security benefits.

This will pave the way to:

Providing affordable, sustainable power for everyone. Bringing electricity to homes, schools and hospitals worldwide, and ensuring energy access and equity for all.
Creating millions of new jobs in the energy industry. Driving economic growth globally.
Prioritizing health and health equity by reducing fossil fuel induced pollution and improving air and water quality. Shifting away from fossil fuels will protect human health worldwide

The transition to renewable energy is about creating a future where everyone can thrive. Let’s use the power of the Earth Day network and our global movement to demand urgent action from governments, businesses, and communities around the world.

This petition will be presented to the United Nation’s leadership and delegates at the UNFCCC Conference of Parties 30 (COP 30) in November 2025.”

Petition:- https://action.earthday.org/our-power-our-planet-renewable-energy-petition

Counting on … Lent 32

17th April 2025

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Ps 96: 11-12

The world – God’s unique creation – should be a prompt for praise and celebration. Where we see shortcomings, let us acknowledge our failings, seek forgiveness and reconciliation, and once again rejoice in God’s glory.

Counting on … Lent 31

16th April 2025

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

St Paul reminds us that God’s wisdom is writ clear and large in the world that God has created. It is to our detriment if we overlook that so-visible source of truth.