Response to Randwick Church re their Environment Policy

Randwick Church like others in the area are putting together their Environment Policy - out in September. Here are my notes that might be of use to them:

Response to Randwick Church re their Environment Policy

Although there are examples of humanity's care for the environment, the last century has seen human action and lifestyle choices that have increasingly harmed the creation. No one can now doubt the urgency of environmental issues. We need more than ever, as the Diocese of Gloucester affirms: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”

The Church is starting to take a very welcomed lead on these issues. The report, “Sharing God's Planet” (published by the Archbishop’s Council, 2005) was a strong call for action.

It is great news to hear that Randwick Church is working on an Environment Policy and that there are actions that the Church are already taking. This Environment Policy is a move whose importance should not be underestimated - so many decisions we make have effects on the environment. The Church has a crucial role to play - not least in helping us all to understand the impact our daily decisions play on the world and helping us move towards more sustainable ways of living.

The following notes are made in good faith as possible suggestions that you may like to consider. I would be more than happy to discuss them further - they are certainly not a comprehensive list and from what I can see many of them have either been adopted already or you are considering them.

Firstly the Policy statement is an excellent example of good practice and is to be applauded loudly. The following comments are made under the particular headings of the consultation paper:

1. Worship

For all of us the imperative is to be good stewards of God's creation.

2. Fabric and furnishing

- Energy saving measures like light bulbs and improved insulation will pay for themselves in a few years - particularly in the light of rising energy prices.
- Employing local people where necessary for work, using where possible local materials
- Using flowers grown with minimum/no pesticide use: the majority of purshased flowers are now grown with very considerable quantities of pesticides: a Dutch Government study found that Dutch floral workers are exposed to pesticide concentrations of up to 60 times the amount considered safe - in other countries figures are even higher and many deaths annually are attributed to pesticide poisoning from flower growing.
- Use eco-cleaning products in the church

3. Churchyards

- The debate between being “neat and tidy” and wildlife is important, but a balance can be struck that increases biodiversity. Advice from a wildlife organisation, if not already sought, could be invaluable.
- There is growing support for coffins made of more environmentally friendly materials and of more sustainable headstones and some Councils are establishing woodland burials. It might be possible to support moves in that direction while still giving people a choice at this important time.
- Don’t use pesticides, fertilisers, peat etc for maintenance.

4. Education

- This is a huge area where much is already being done but much more can be done. Defra for example have produced materials on global warming for children. It might be possible to explore ways of expanding the use of resources like this within the school.
- Learning is part of all aspects of life, education is not only confined to schools - this fits well with aims to consider members personal impact on the environment, working with local environmental organisations and holding regular discussions.
- It is important in all aspects of education around the environment to remember that to live sustainably doesn’t mean to live miserably. We can create a green future of greater employment, healthier food, stronger communities, warmer homes from better insulation and a future where, instead of hours in traffic jams, we have clean, safe, reliable public transport. A future self-sufficient in energy: a safer world where foreign policy isn't about securing fossil fuels in unstable parts of the world.

5. Energy

- This is a hugely important area: not just because of climate change but also our fuel is likely to increase in price significantly.
- Electricity for the church can be bought from renewable energy companies like Good Energy and Ecotricity - thus significantly reducing the churches contribution to climate change - and often at very little or no extra cost.
- Energy efficiency measures are crucial - see point 2 above.
- The suggestion of car sharing is excellent and a very positive way forward that can also build links within the community.
- Support moves to reduce traffic speeds to encourage walking/cycling in the area

6. Water

- There are many ways to encourage less water use which include ideas mentioned like water butts, dual-flush toilets etc plus possible use of grey water.
- The Church may also like to look at whether it’s rainwater currently is discharged into the sewer: if so then their can be huge environmental gains by ensuring it goes to soakaways etc
- Waste water is also a huge area: the church could introduce fat traps, support Severn Trent Water’s “Bag It and Bin It” campaign etc.
- As no doubt you are aware, the sewage system locally has been having continual problems that have led to repeated discharges of sewage into the brook - the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, of which I am a member, are working to tackle some of the problems. We would be happy to talk more on this.
- Ensure no further impermeable surfaces are made - in the Severn Trent region there is a 4% annual rise in land being given over to hard-standing: this is seriously damaging to our environment. We should adopt a policy of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

7. Waste

- Reducing waste in the first place is the most important factor of all - in many ways recycling is a failure: crushing, pulping and smelting materials is unnecessary, hugely energy intensive and damaging to our environment. We need to start reclaiming and reusing materials not destroying then reproducing them. However clearly recycling is vastly better than landfill or incineration.
- Randwick Church may like to consider taking the bold step and aiming for zero waste. Zero-waste means getting rid of the idea of waste. Instead, waste should be thought of as a ‘potential resource’ to counter our basic acceptance of waste as a normal course of events. Zero Waste strategies consider the entire life-cycle of our products and processes so that any ‘wastes’, can be designed to have other applications.This vision requires policies that reduce ‘waste’ at source, then reusing, recycling and recovery of all remaining ‘waste’. The South-west Regional Assembly Waste Strategy notes: “Moving towards 'zero' waste in the region is a very long term ambition”. Yet such policies have been adopted with more enthusiasm and commitment by some councils within the region, like Bath and NE Somerset District Council and communities like in Chew Magna village near Bristol where they have their inspiring "Go Zero" project. Overseas Zero waste projects are already have significant results across New Zealand, parts of the US and Canada.
- Compost would be great, encouraging reuse through for example charity shops, avoiding throw-away cups/cutlery etc

8. Catering

- Fair trade and local shop purshases prioritised over supermarkets
- Great to move towards local, organic, animal friendly and fair trade - especially as this is another way of educating people about the issues involved.

9. Events and the Community

Whiteshill’s Environment Day organised by the churches was a success - it is a challenge to find ways to reach people and raise these issues. I’m more than happy to explore more with the Church re their ideas.

10. Implementation and Monitoring

- Agree this is important. It is far better to set small goals with dates and who is responsible. These can then move towards the final goal. An annual review is great.


Other issues

1. Parish Plan

Randwick Parish Plan is now out and has some useful ways forward. It would be good to work together on some of the joint aims.

2. Environmental justice is linked to social justice.

We cannot have one without the other - fuel poverty and climate change are good examples - therefore I consider it is important to at least note that this policy links to others in the Church has around social justice.

The recent report by the Church of England from their Commission on Urban Life and Faith, ‘Faithful Cities’ (2006) is an important contribution to the debate. As the report notes: “we live in one of the most economically divided countries in Europe and not only has the trickle down promise of market forces failed to deliver but a draconian system consigns a small section of the population to unacceptable destitution... ..Countering social inequality, and trying to reduce it, is the litmus test of a society’s moral adequacy.”

The report refreshingly questions our reliance on market driven capitalism and it’s role in promoting social inequality. As the report says: “It is time to ask whether this economic and social model can really deliver happiness or wellbeing for all.” But all that is for another discussion!