Eco-Congregation Blog

Do you have vending machines in your church/community centre? Why not make them 100% Fairtrade? There is a company specialising in fairtrade products in vending machines, both drinks (including fairtrade cola) and snacks. What about trying to persuade folks at church to convert their workplace vending machines to fairtrade?

http://www.fairtradevending.co.uk/

After last week's debate in the House of Commons, it looks like the Government is set to water down the recommendations from the Lords regarding the Climate Change Bill.

Christian Aid are wanting companies to have to report on the carbon emissions for which they are responsible in other countries, and this was written in by the Lords. It seems that the Govrnment is prepared to ditch that.

Church Leaders call for worshippers to make ‘Time for God’s Creation’

Huge number of speakers at this event, with 50 workshops! Get there if you can! Organised by the Campaign against Climate Change.

Log on to the Fairtrade Foundation website for the latest newsletter - it has the low down on recent new products, interviews (one with Sir Steve Redgrave about his trip to Mali, and his new fairtrade cotton clothing range), news about a co-op in Brazil, ideas for Fairtrade Town work, and more!

Platform2 free 10 week life changing experience overseas

St Thomas' Salisbury is the church which has received the 100th Eco-congregation Award in England & Wales! Churches receiving the Award have made significant progress in weaving environmental care into their life and witness.

 To read more about what St Thomas' church undertook, go to the Awards page, click on List of Award Winners and then click on St Thomas' Salisbury.

8th Annual Climate Change Conference

Produced by the Worcester Bosch Group

www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

Picture book for young children, suitable for giving away! Good ideas about greening up family life. It is an advertising thing, obviously, but it does have some good other stuff in about living green. They are free! You can ask for multiple copies.

Good resource for the creche?

01905 754624

Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme

This article, 'What will we eat as the oil runs out?' given by Richard Heinberg in November 2007, is lengthy, but brilliantly puts our food production systems in the context of the current global challenges, and at the end points the way to some practical ways forward. Especially relevant as now the global food crisis is beginning to hit people's consciousness.

Let's Talk, Gordon is a grassroots campaign urging the Prime Minister to make a televised address to the nation on climate change. 

Watch this video, Greensumption, on YouTube in case you're in any doubt that we need to address consumption levels generally. Or you can watch it below.

Revd Chris Stafford, a vicar in Warrington, has just had a new all age worship and assembly book published. It is called 'Care for the world' and has been written for Key Stages 1 and 2 (primary) and is also ideal for use in all-age worship.

It is published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd and costs £16.99.