The Green Scene, February

Posted on February 22, 2024 Posted By: Achsah Carrier Categories: Environment, News & Views

UUCville Ministry for Earth Newsletter
February 2024

Mission Statement: To inspire, support and promote our active commitment to stewardship of our planet as expressed in our 7th Principle as individuals, as a congregation, and as a part of our community. *
*Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

The Greatest Threat to our Planet
is the belief that someone else will save it

Robert Swan, English Explorer of Antarctica & International Environmentalist

Ministry for Earth: What’s that?

The Ministry for Earth Committee focuses on action rather than on meetings, so that we can make a difference as individuals, as a congregation, as community partners, and as part of the world. We focus on four areas: Advocacy, Education, Building Improvements, and Work Days. Please reach out to us to get on our mailing list and to find out how you can be an active steward of our planet: environment@uucharlottesville.org.

And keep an eye out in the social hall for Kim Grover and Ellie Syverud and other Ministry for Earth volunteers. They are eager to talk to you and help you get involved.

As part of the Ministry for Earth’s Educational component, we are publishing a monthly newsletter that will bring you timely information and resources on topics of interest. In future issues, we plan to cover topics such as how to green your home, how to shop sustainably, and how to access Inflation Reduction Act benefits.

Greening Your Diet

This winter Ministry for Earth has been focusing on Greening Our Diets. We had a great potluck in January and another one coming up on St Patrick’s Day. Meat and dairy are major factors in our carbon pollution crisis. Project Drawdown estimates that if three-quarters of people around the world adopted a plant-rich diet by 2050, they could avoid the release of more than 100 gigatons of emissions, leaving a healthier planet for our children and other descendants. AND these actions also protect animals and improve your health and the health of your children.

Meat and dairy are major factors in our carbon pollution crisis. Project Drawdown estimates that if three-quarters of people around the world adopted a plant-rich diet by 2050, they could avoid the release of more than 100 gigatons of emissions, leaving a healthier planet for our children and other descendants. AND these actions also protect animals and improve your health and the health of your children.

If you aren’t giving up eating meat entirely, look to buy it more sustainably. Shop for meat locally and sustainably at these local businesses:

For nutritious and delicious meat and dairy substitutes try dried beans and lentils; tofu; nuts and nut butters, veggie burgers and hot dogs; soy milk, ice “cream”, yogurt, “cheese”, and “butter”. Look for them at your favorite grocery store or check out:

Integral Yoga Food Store – Preston Avenue
Whole Foods – Hydraulic Road
Market Street Market – E. Market Street
Foods of All Nations – Ivy Road
Crozet Great Value – 3 Notch Road

A Family Story –

My paternal grandfather had heart disease in the 1950’s which resulted in his spending the last 7 years of his life as a semi-invalid. His 2 sons and 2 daughters all developed heart disease and all underwent by-pass heart surgery to treat it. All of them were devoted meat eaters all their lives. My brother, also a meat eater, has had a heart attack and has developed a type of dementia caused by plaque build-up in the arteries in his brain. My sister became a vegan in her early twenties. She has no plaque build-up or heart problems. I stopped eating meat and dairy at age 50 and now, at 84, have only minor plaque build-up.

You are what you eat.
Johanna Woodchild, UUCville member

* * Green Power Project for Kids * *

Pine Cone Bird Feeder – Tie a 12-inch string around the top of a pine cone. Using a table knife or pop-sickle stick, smear peanut or other nut butter over the pine cone. Or use solid shortening. Pour wild bird seed in a shallow pan or bowl. Roll the pine cone in the seeds until it is well covered. Tie the pine cone to a branch of a tree or large shrub where you can watch the birds from inside your home.

SAVE THE DATE!
Sustainable Eating Potluck Sunday, March 17, 12:15 pm

Wear green and eat your greens (and other sustainable deliciousness)! Join us in the Social Hall after Sunday service. Bring a vegetarian or vegan dish to share. Please also bring your recipe to share as well. Many of us would like to eat more sustainably, but need some help to get started. Your shared recipe will help. Print the recipe so others can take a picture of it and we can add it to our church cookbook.

THIS MONTH’S LOVE IN ACTION WORK DAY

Saturday February 24 9am-Noon
Ivy Creek Natural Area

Join us to help make our natural areas beautiful! Projects such as invasive plant and debris removal or trail maintenance will be taking place from 9 AM – 12 PM on Saturday, February 24. Wear outdoor work clothes, close-toed shoes/boots and gardening gloves. No expertise needed. Families encouraged(13and older). Please email us @ environment@uucharlottesville .org so we can let them know how many are coming.

THANKS FOR READING OUR NEWSLETTER! PLEASE SAVE IT AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Have a topic you would like us to cover? Interested in submitting an article? Contact us at environment@uucharlottesvile.org