Environmental Issues

"Blessed Are They Who Turn Things Off" submitted by Helen Rose Yee Sang, OSF

We are called to be good stewards of the sacred gift of creation. “Our responsibility carries over into daily choices that impact creation. Increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and pollution ... harm creation itself and also affect the health of humanity’s most vulnerable. ...” Electric plants contribute to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. “God’s intention was never for us to be careless with the abundance that has been provided. If we are thoughtless about our use of energy, it has consequences—not the least of which involves global warming.”¹

In light of the above, ‘Blessed are they who turn things off.’ “Nothing beats turning things off. The more energy efficient a lamp is, the more electricity is saved by turning it off when it is not needed. On the other hand, with really energy efficient fluorescent lamps, we tend to act as if the longer they are lit the more electricity we will save. Off [when not needed] is the key.

“Off applies to new equipment, too. Eventually, every roof, light, boiler and window will need to be repaired or replaced. At that time, energy choices should be based on the cost of ownership, rather than on mere purchase cost. Viewed in this way, slightly additional premiums buy something that lowers energy use—better control, higher efficiency—and is well worth the investment. With that said, any new purchase should also be left off as much as possible.”²

1. From “Ethics and Energy” by Rev. Robert Edgar
2. From “Blessed Are They Who Turn Things Off” by Andrew Rudin;
Both articles published in Earth Letter, March 2003.
Reprinted by permission from Earth Letter, a mini-journal of Christian environmental justice and spirituality, published by Earth Ministry, Seattle, WA-- www.earthministry.org.