Living Laudato Si'
ECO-TIPS
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022

Greetings!
NACFLM colleagues and other Catholics are familiar with my monthly Marriage Moments (MMs) & Parenting Pointers (PPs). In the spirit of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si' I have decided to offer a new, free resource of weekly ECO-TIPS.
Although not specifically geared to married couples or parents, caring for planet earth transcends family roles. It is indeed a universal and spiritual undertaking and cannot be done alone.
  1. If there is someone else in your diocese, parish, or faith community who is responsible for environmental or social justice efforts and would be better to receive these you can add them by clicking SUBSCRIBE or have them email me at [email protected]
  2. If you want to continue to receive my monthly MMs & PPs, but don't want the ECO-TIPS, email me at [email protected] and I will take you off the ECO-TIPS list.
1. Jan. 30: Food: Because cows produce methane which contributes to global warming -
EASY: Choose 1 day this week to eat no meat - perhaps a Friday
CHALLENGING: Choose 1 week/month to eat no meat. If you are already a vegetarian, fast from food (except water) for 1 day to be in solidarity with those who don't have a choice.

2. Feb. 6: Reduce electricity use
EASY: This week pay attention to turning off lights when you aren’t in a room.
CHALLENGING: Replace all incandescent light bulbs in your home with LED light bulbs. Bonus: Talk to your office, place of worship, etc. about doing the same.

3. Feb. 13: Laundry
EASY: Buy laundry strips (for example, EarthBreeze or TruEarth) for your washing machine instead of a liquid or pod packaged in plastic.
CHALLENGING: Write to the head of a corporation that makes laundry detergent (like Proctor & Gamble based in Cincinnati) and urge them to reduce plastic packaging.

4. Feb. 20: Paper
EASY: When making paper copies, print on both sides of the paper; use narrow margins
CHALLENGING: Convert paper files to digital ones. Recycle old paper files.

5. Feb. 27: Transportation
EASY: Walk or bike when going somewhere close (maybe under a mile).
CHALLENGING: Buy a hybrid or electric car.
TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:

You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit, "By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net"
For related articles go to my Living Lightly Blog: www.SusanVogt.net/blog

Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week:
EASY: Some of us are just starting to awaken to the need to care for creation, or have been busy with jobs, raising a family, or other social justice commitments. We may not have much discretionary time. OR, it may simply be a relief to note that, “Hey, I’m already doing this one!” Good.
CHALLENGING: Others have been engaged in the environmental movement for awhile and are ready to take a bigger step. To multiply your efforts, go beyond your own personal lifestyle, and make bigger, systemic changes - consider the challenge of impacting change in your neighborhood, city, country, the world.

© 2022 Susan Vogt
PHONE: (859) 291-6197, FAX: (859) 291-4742
WEBSITE: www.SusanVogt.net

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