Earth Day Sunday 2023
In 2022, we saw climate-induced events that jeopardized our food system. We witnessed record-breaking extreme heat numerous times throughout the country, an unprecedented cold winter in Texas, a historical drought in California, an unseasonal flood in Kentucky, and far too many wildfires to be normal in the western states. Such events are only to name a few of the catastrophes that climate change exacerbates—each with a threat to our food system in the United States.
Climate change creates instability for food production, but the current industrialized food system contributes to climate change as well, creating a cyclical threat to food security, especially for low-income households. The food system includes all stages that food goes through, from farm to table to waste bin and all the steps in between.
In the U.S., agriculture was responsible for 11 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, nearly doubling from just 6 percent in 1990. Additionally, 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere from over 100 billion pounds of food waste each year in the U.S., yet more than thirty-eight million people in our country experience hunger.
To read more about how climate change impacts our environment and our Christian call to respond, download the 2023 Earth Day Sunday Resource “Sowing Seeds".
Climate change creates instability for food production, but the current industrialized food system contributes to climate change as well, creating a cyclical threat to food security, especially for low-income households. The food system includes all stages that food goes through, from farm to table to waste bin and all the steps in between.
In the U.S., agriculture was responsible for 11 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, nearly doubling from just 6 percent in 1990. Additionally, 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere from over 100 billion pounds of food waste each year in the U.S., yet more than thirty-eight million people in our country experience hunger.
To read more about how climate change impacts our environment and our Christian call to respond, download the 2023 Earth Day Sunday Resource “Sowing Seeds".
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CHRISTIAN FAITH AND EARTH DAY
The Bible is full of beautiful language and theology for celebrating God's creation. Yet sometimes, in the rhythm of the liturgical year, it can be challenging to find a specific time to focus as a church community on the theme of creation. Earth Day Sunday provides just such an opportunity. Since 1970, communities have taken one day each year to be especially mindful of the Earth and its many gifts: April 22, Earth Day. This day has ecumenical and bipartisan roots. Each year, thousands of congregations set aside a day to pray, learn, and take action on a Sunday close to Earth Day. ABOUT OUR WORK Each year, Creation Justice Ministries focuses on a particular Earth Day Sunday theme chosen by our members. We highlight ways individuals and congregations can celebrate and protect God's creation. Our toolkits include liturgical resources, sermon starters, Biblical insights, and action ideas. We hope these toolkits inspire further thoughts, conversations, and actions that respond to God's call to be faithful stewards of creation. GET INVOLVED Do you want to plan an Earth Day celebration in your faith community? Consider using our theme materials for this year, or find a treasure trove of Earth Day Sunday resources from previous years on our education resource page. We've also listed some ideas below which have stood the test of time for many congregations. |
For More Information Contact:
Creation Justice Ministries 110 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 203 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 827-3975 [email protected] 2023 EARTH DAY RESOURCE:
BY DENOMINATION |
Tried-And-True Ideas for Earth Day Sunday Celebrations
Pray
- Plan an Earth Day themed worship service. Find a wealth of Earth Day Sunday worship resources at www.creationjustice.org/educational-resources.
- Have bulletin inserts or handouts for congregation members. Most of Creation Justice Ministries' Earth Day Sunday worship resources have bulletin insert handouts included, but you can also opt for something your congregation is currently working on. For instance, "Ten Steps to Green Your Home" or "Products to Green Your Home" - include energy efficient light bulbs, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, low-flow faucets and shower heads, information on energy efficient appliances, 100% post consumer waste recycled printer paper, and more.
- Invite a guest speaker to your church for after worship to talk about your Earth Day theme with a local focus
Lead by Example
- Host a special "Creation Justice Fellowship Time." Serve organic, fair-trade coffee and treats from a local organic bakery; use re-useable plates, cups, silverware, and napkins, or if that isn't possible, recycled or biodegradable disposables; and post big, easy-to-read signs to educate people about what makes your fellowship oriented toward "Creation Justice."
- Have a Creation Justice Church workday to set up rain barrels, install faucet aerators, do native landscaping on church grounds, replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.
- Examine your church's energy use by performing an energy audit and present your findings on Earth Day Sunday. Hold a "town hall" discussion about how your church can reduce energy use.
- Plan to officially join your denomination, fellowship, or communion's ecological ministry and announce/celebrate it on Earth Day Sunday.
- Serve Your Community
- Plan a community service project like a Clean-Up in a local park, along a local body of water, or near a highway.
- Organize a hike at a local trail, park, or natural area. Make sure you organize carpools for transportation to and from the site. If you're not sure where to go, check www.findyourpark.com for ideas.
- Plan an Earth Day festival. Ask local environmental groups to set up informational booths. Invite local growers/food producers and artisans to set up booths to showcase and/or sell their products. Arrange for a variety of brief informational or practical workshops where people can to go learn about Eco-Justice issues (especially your Earth Day theme) or learn how to do something (like make an effective call to an elected official, adopt sustainable office practices, or start a compost pile at home).
