Oakwood Church Leeds

Eco Tips

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/energy-saving-quick-wins

Laundry

• When using a washing machine ensure there is a full load and turn down the temperature. Heating the water to higher temperatures uses more energy

• Electric tumble dryers use energy. If it's a nice day dry your clothes outside. In the winter most drying is done by the wind, so check the forecast for wind days and nights as you can hang washing overnight (as there is no dew in the winter)

• Irons use a lot of electricity to get hot - only iron clothes that really need it

• Cut up old clothes or sheets that you were going to throw out, to use as cloths for cleaning jobs rather than buying new ones

Bathroom

• Spend less time in the shower. Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £7 off your energy bills each year, per person. Heating water uses a lot of energy

• Turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth. The clean water that flows out of your tap needs energy in many stages of processing and transport before it gets to the tap. Don't waste it!

• If your toilet cistern holds more than 6 litres of water (likely if it was installed before 2001) put a Hippo Water Saving device (or a brick) in it to save water each time you flush. See

 www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk

• Fit a water efficient shower head (if you've got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank). This will reduce your hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower

• Switch to eco cleaning products which biodegrade in the sewerage system and don't damage aquatic life in our rivers and seas. They also contain less harmful chemical for us too

Shopping

• Make a list before you go food shopping to help avoid impulse buying and over stocking with food you will end up throwing away

• Reduce your impact on the environment by buying second hand when you can. Charity shops, Emmaus, Freecycle,  Ebay, Gumtree, Preloved etc are good sources of reused items

• When you need to buy a large item research it carefully. Think about how long it could last, how much it will cost to run, what it is made of, where it is made, and can it be recycled at the end of its life? Better quality items often last longer and so cost you less over time

• Tempted to buy on impulse when you are shopping? Get in the habit of coming back the next day or next week when you have thought through whether or not you really need buy it

Energy Bills

• Get to grips with your energy bills. The information on a typical energy bill can be confusing. But understanding it can go a long way to helping you understand your energy use

• Switch your electricity supplier so that you support renewable electricity generation rather than electricity made by burning fossil fuels. You could, for instance, use the Green Journey price comparison site

http://greenjourney.switchgasandelectric.com/  

• More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves, and using these controls efficiently, could save you around £75 a year

• If you already have a full set of heating controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £80 a year. (Jumpers are fashionable!)

Kitchen

• Never put warm or hot food into the fridge or freezer as this will make the fridge work extra hard to try and keep it cold; always allow food to cool down first

• Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £25.00 a year in energy bills

• When making a cup of tea, only boil the amount of water that you need. You waste electricity (and money) heating water you won't use

• Stop using aluminium foil for cooking wherever possible; use a container with a lid that can be reused. Aluminium in a rare metal and its extraction and purification uses a lot of energy

• Eat less meat, particularly red meat as producing 1 kg of beef produces the equivalent CO2 to you driving a 300 mile round trip while leaving all your lights on at home

Holiday

• Going for a day out to the beach? Take a bag in your pocket and pick up any litter you see

• Planning your day out or holiday journey? Use public transport if you can to reduce your carbon emissions. Travelling by train or ferry to Europe can be part of the adventure

• If you are planning to fly for your holiday make sure you carbon offset the carbon you generate from your flight, e.g. with Climate Stewards www.climatestewards.com

• Holiday waste? When you are away try to take as much care to save energy, recycle, prevent food waste as you would at home

Electrical appliances

• You can save around £30 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off at the plug rather than leaving them in standby mode

• Take your phone charger out of the socket when not in use. It uses energy even when it's not charging your phone

• Buy A-rated electrical appliances whenever you can. They may be more expensive initially but you will save on your energy bills

• The location of your fridge can make a difference in how energy efficient it is. Make sure it is out of direct sunlight and not close to the oven. Keeping it against an outside wall will help the heat it generates escape easily, and always make sure that there is a few inches' space all around the fridge so that air can circulate

• Electrical gadgets are great, but the environmental impact of manufacturing them and disposing of them at the end of their life is high. Think before you buy more gadgets

Water

• Catch rainwater to use in the garden, rather than using tap water

• Don’t buy bottled water, buy a reusable bottle and top up from the tap

www.yorkshirewater.com/savewater

Water Conservation Leaflet - September 2018

In the car

• In the car drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear

• When driving the most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 55 - 65 mph, faster speeds will greatly increase your fuel consumption. Slow down and allow a little more time for journeys

• Change your car breakdown cover to a company that campaigns for better environmental transport measures, rather than being part of the road transport lobby for example, Environmental Transport Association - www.eta.co.uk

• In the car switch your engine off if you pull over or are stuck in traffic for even a minute.  It saves you fuel, reduces the nitrous oxide pollution for you and those around you and cuts noise pollution

Lighting your Home

• Light bulbs!  If the average household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £100 and save about £35 a year on bills

• Use natural light when you can to save energy.  Sit by the window.  Decorate your home in light colours to maximise natural light

• Turn your lights off when you're not using them.  If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light

• If you have lights in your garden use solar powered lights that charge during the day and don't require electricity

Keeping Warm

• Make sure you close your curtains when it gets dark to stop heat escaping

• Get draft proof to stop losing heat. Professional draft-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £200 but can save around £25 a year on energy bills. DIY draft-proofing can be much cheaper. Installing a chimney draft excluder could save around £15 a year as well

• Make sure your hot water tank is insulated with a thick jacket. It will save you lots of money, not to mention reducing your carbon emissions

• Has your loft got loads of insulation? It’s one of the cheapest and easiest ways to save energy and will pay for itself in hardly any time

Christmas

• Be creative in the gifts you give this Christmas; make sure your desire to be loving is not damaging the environment

• Getting ready for the festivities of Christmas. Buy as much locally produced, in season food and particularly vegetables as you can. Try not to over cater and waste food

• Wrap and re-wrap. Why not reuse your wrapping paper. Take a bit of care unwrapping your presents (it adds to the gift experience), save the paper and reuse next year

• Enjoy the feast of Christmas! Don't forget to recycle your rubbish. Don't waste unwanted presents find new homes for them through a charity shop or on Ebay

• Get ready with your environmental New Year's Resolution. How will your care for creation in the coming year?

Environmental Policy

At the Oakwood Church AGM in April 2018

it was agreed that work should proceed to develop an Environmental Policy for Oakwood Church

Our Environmental Champions

Environmental Policy

  www.leeds.anglican.org/environment

Operation Noah

An article written by John Anderson and recently published in the Methodist Recorder was distributed as a flyer with The Broadcast for February 2019

You can download the article here

Hydrogen in a low-carbon economy

A major Report and illustrative Poster were published by the Committee on Climate Change in November 2018 Summary

Environmental Policy

for Oakwood Church

Agreed March 2019

We affirm these elements of our faith:

• Through Christ, God has created an awesome and majestic cosmos to bring Him praise and glory. We are but one part of His created order.

• Jesus has redeemed the whole earth through His death and resurrection.

• We recognise that we have a special responsibility to care for the Earth so that human life and all God’s creatures may be sustained in harmony.

Aim

As a local church, we aim to take the practical steps necessary to realise the Fifth Mark of Mission, which is “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth”.

Objective

As a church community, we will take environmental concerns into account in our mission, worship, study, education, training, pastoral, administrative and other projects and programmes.

Actions

1. We will appoint a person as our Environmental Officer/Champion to lead our programme and encourage him or her to bring relevant environmental issues and concerns forward to the PCC on a regular basis.

2. We will include our concern for sustainability in our worship and teaching.

3. We will undertake an environmental and energy audit of the church premises and property, identify the most significant issues and impacts which should be addressed and make and implement plans and programmes to tackle them, recognising that some additional costs may be incurred to minimise environmental impacts. (See partial lists below).

4. We will work with REAP [ Roundhay Environmental Action Group  https://www.reap-leeds.org.uk/ ] and others in our local community to identify environmental issues which should be addressed in our area and help develop actions to tackle them.

5. As the church’s energy use is arguably its greatest environmental issue, we will seek to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the electricity and gas used in church premises by where possible:

• Switching to “green” energy suppliers (renewably generated electricity and biogas)
• Using thermostats for temperature control
• Fitting LED light bulbs
• Improving insulation wherever practicable
• Turning off lights, appliances and computers when not in use
• Replacing old, inefficient boilers where practicable and investigating renewable heating alternatives

6. We will encourage our staff and congregation wherever possible to use forms of transport to work, meetings etc. which have minimum or reduced environmental impact – e.g. walk, cycle, public transport, car sharing electric/ hydrogen vehicles.

7. We will seek ways to reduce material consumption and the impact of our activities on the environment by, wherever possible:

• Serving locally produced food where possible
• Minimising the amount of red meat and dairy products served
• Using email rather than sending hard copies
• Using recycled paper
• Reusing/repairing or recycling items
• Using low environmental impact cleaning materials
• Avoiding the use of disposable plastic products where practical (e.g. plastic bags, cups, cutlery and straws)

8. We will avoid using water unnecessarily, install water meters where appropriate, check for leakages, fit water minimising systems to taps and cisterns wherever practicable.

9. We will assess our land and property for wildlife and manage them to conserve bio diversity.

10. We will encourage individual members of our congregations to take actions in their personal lives to complement and supplement these actions of the church community.

11. We will participate in the Eco Church programme.

12. We will communicate this policy to our congregation, church groups and all users of the church and seek their cooperation to follow these guidelines.

This policy and programme will be reviewed every three years in light of developments. Next review date Spring 2022.

Resources

Eco Church, A Rocha https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/

Diocese of Leeds Environment webpages www.leeds.anglican.org/environment

The Methodist Church position on Climate Change https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/climate-change/hope-in-gods-future/

Shrinking the Footprint, Church Care www.churchcare.co.uk/shrinking-the-footprint/about-shrinking-the-footprint

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland environment webpage https://ctbi.org.uk/environment-links#ecochurch

Pray and Fast for the Climate www.prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk/

Green Christian www.greenchristian.org.uk/

Climate Stewards www.climatestewards.org/

Operation Noah http://operationnoah.org/

Caring for God’s Acre, churchyard care www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/

Milestones on our journey:

In THE BROADCAST May 2018 Al Fraser wrote:

“The Oakwood Church Annual General Meeting in April 2018 agreed to proceed with the development of an Environmental Policy for Oakwood Church.

With Leeds Diocesan support and direction, as a local church, we will aim to take the practical steps necessary to realise the Fifth Mark of Mission, which is “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth”.

As a church community, we will take environmental concerns into account in our mission, worship, study, education, training, pastoral, administrative and other projects and programmes.

An Environmental Policy will aim to address the issues of air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, bio diversity protection, the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species, and the preservation of these natural resources for future generations.

Our first step will be to complete an Environmental audit and work towards accreditation of the national and prestigious Eco Church scheme.

We will keep you informed of progress. Look out for more information and how you can support the Environmental Policy. If you have any questions, please let me know.”

Al Fraser

Environmental Policy Representative

Oakwood Church

May 2018 - Environment Matters

Steps towards an Environmental Policy

for Oakwood Church

To address the issues of

• air and water pollution,

• waste management,

• ecosystem management,

• bio diversity protection,

• the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species, and the preservation of these natural resources for future generations

Environmental Policy Recommendations

1. Include our concern for sustainability in our worship and teaching

2. Undertake an environmental and energy audit of the church premises and property, recognising that some additional costs may be incurred to minimise environmental impacts

3. Work with others in our local community to identify environmental issues which should be addressed in our area and help develop actions to tackle them

4. As the church’s energy use is arguably its greatest environmental issue, seek to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the electricity and gas used in church premises

5. Encourage our Church members wherever possible to use forms of transport to work, meetings, etc. which have minimum or reduced environmental impact e.g. walk, cycle, use public transport, car share

6. Seek ways to reduce material consumption and the impact of our activities on the environment by, wherever possible

• Serving locally produced food
• Using email rather than sending paper copies
• Using recycled paper
• Using low environmental impact cleaning materials

7. Avoid using water unnecessarily, install water meters where appropriate, check for leakages, fit water minimising systems to taps and cisterns wherever practicable

8. Assess our land and property for wildlife and manage them to conserve bio diversity

9. Encourage individual members of our congregations to take actions in their personal lives to complement and supplement these actions of the church community

10. Participate in the ‘Eco Church’ programme

Eco Church is Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth

It offers a free online survey and supporting resources designed to equip a church to express care for God’s world in worship and teaching; in how to look after your buildings and land; in how to engage with your local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of your congregation

The actions taken will count towards a prestigious Eco Church Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level

The vision is for churches of all denominations to care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbours and following God faithfully

Please help us to become more recycling savvy

at Oakwood Church

WE ALL NEED TO MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE RECYCLED IS PUT INTO THE GREEN RECYCLING BINS AND ONLY PUT WHAT IS NOT RECYCLABLE INTO THE BLACK BINS

PLEASE USE THE GREEN BINS FOR

card / paper / newspapers / magazines / clean foil  bubble wrap / washed food cans / plastic bottles  trigger sprays [empty and rinsed] / bread bags

clean, clear, fruit, meat and vegetable trays

carrier bags / toilet roll and kitchen wrappers

stationery /cardboard packaging / aerosols

Please remove packaging tape from cardboard boxes and flatten them to save bin space

Completely empty aerosol tins of furniture polish and air fresheners then remove their plastic caps         

The Leeds Incinerator at Cross Green

THE BLACK [INCINERATE] BINS ARE FOR

margarine tubs / yoghurt pots / black plastics

Cartons [Tetra Paks] / crisp packets

film lids from fruit and vegetable trays

food waste / wet waste / nappies

polystyrene / general refuse

Q.I. [Quite Interesting]

Did you know that it takes only seven days for your recycled newspaper to become newspaper once again? In no time at all you could be reading recycled news on your recycled paper...

In THE BROADCAST May 2019 Al Fraser wrote:

Oakwood Church Environmental Policy

I am delighted to report that both the Resources Team and Church Council agreed and pledged support to an Environmental Policy for Oakwood Church, presented on 25 February.  The Policy was also endorsed at the Oakwood Church Annual Meeting on the 26th March. The Environmental Policy is now available to read in full on our website and on our notice board in Church.

Our Environmental Policy means as a church community, we will take environmental concerns into account in our mission, worship, study, education, training, pastoral, administrative and all other activities impacting on our environmental footprint and climate change.  As Christians in our local church, we aim to take the practical steps necessary to realise the Fifth Mark of Mission, which is “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth”.  We will give our support to address the issues of air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, bio diversity protection, the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species, and the preservation of these natural resources for future generations.

In practical terms it will mean we will take the following actions:

1. Bring relevant environmental issues and concerns forward to Church meetings on a regular basis.

2. We will include our concern for environmental sustainability in our worship and teaching.

3. We will undertake an environmental and energy audit of the church premises and property, identify the most significant issues and impacts which should be addressed and make and implement plans and programmes to tackle them.

4. We will work with REAP (Roundhay Environmental Action Project www.reap-leeds.org.uk ) and others in our local community to identify environmental issues which should be addressed in our area and help develop actions to tackle them.

5. As the church’s energy use is arguably its greatest environmental issue, we will seek to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the electricity and gas used in church premises by where possible:

• Switching to “green” energy suppliers (renewably generated electricity and biogas), when we can.
• Using additional thermostats for temperature control.
• Fitting more LED light bulbs. Improving insulation wherever practicable.
• Turning off lights, appliances and computers when not in use

6. We will encourage wherever possible to use forms of transport to work, meetings etc. which have minimum or reduced environmental impact – eg walk, cycle, public transport and car sharing.

7. We will seek ways to reduce material consumption and the impact of our activities on the environment by, wherever possible:

• using email rather than sending hard copies

• using recycled paper, reducing the amount of printed paper in meetings and Church communications, including the number of Broadcast copies.

• using low environmental impact cleaning materials

• avoiding the use of disposable plastic products where practical (eg plastic bags, cups, cutlery and straws)

8. We will avoid using water unnecessarily, install water meters where appropriate, check for leakages, fit water minimising systems to taps and cisterns wherever practicable.

9. We will assess our land and property to promote wildlife and plant bio diversity. We have installed a hedgehog nesting box (with a successful resident smile), and are planning additional bird nesting boxes and aim to review what additional plants we can grow, particularly fruit bushes.

10. We will encourage individual members of our congregations to take actions in their personal lives to complement and supplement these actions of the church community. We have a regular Eco tips page in the Broadcast most months. (Reproduced on this web page)

11. We will participate in the Rocha Eco Church programme, you can find out more details here www.ecochurch.arocha.org.uk

12. We will communicate this policy to our congregation, church groups and all users of the church and seek their cooperation to follow these guidelines.

13. This policy and programme will be reviewed every year to assess progress.

Environmental Champions are needed!

To support and deliver the Environmental Policy and to participate and be awarded a Rocha Eco Church award we need everyone to work together and to allocate a number of Environmental Champions (volunteers) to support the large areas of different work.

 The Environmental Champions could be one individual, a number of individuals or an existing group e.g.

House Groups, Messy Church, Uniformed Groups, SYNC, Walking Group, Junior Church, etc.

They could be of any age and experience provided they have passion and enthusiasm for making a difference in this area.

Note: The Areas where Environmental Champions are needed are listed at the top of this web page

Please let me know if you would like to sign up to be an environmental champion, as an individual, a number of individuals (the more the better) or an existing Church group or sign up on the sheet on the Environmental Noticeboard at Church.  I can obtain support with further information and resources to help each group.

Many thanks

 Al Fraser, Environmental Steward

PLEASE SEE THE NOTICEBOARD

ABOVE THE BOOKSHELVES

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND UPDATES