Take Action

• Clean up the Climate: Sign a postcard asking the New Zealand Government to support a fairer climate deal. Contact CWS if you would like copies to distribute or add a link to your website
• Look at changes you can make to YOUR lifestyle: Visit the New Zealand government's sustainability website for ways to limit your impact on the environment. Includes ideas on reducing rubbish, fuel use and water wastage.
• Write letters to MPs urging them to support strong government policies that help New Zealand reduce harmful emissions
• Get your school, work place or church to lower its carbon footprint. Check out your individual, home or organisational carbon footprint using the Nature Conservancy calculator
• Join the CWS climate change campaign: sign up for regular news and events
• Hold a special service highlighting climate change. CWS has worship resources available
• Support CWS partners that are working to protect their environment, help their communities adapt and preparing people to cope in disasters. Donate now to our environment fund.
• Engage in conversation with others and act locally like CWS partners. Try tree planting, promoting clean energy use or take the opportunity to make a public submission.

What churches are doing well!

Churches should keep doing what they do well, said one respondent to the CWS Climate Change campaign. With permission we reprint her comments:

"When the church holds a Garage Sale and runs an Op Shop it is making a worthwhile contribution… every item saved from the landfill is a plus for the planet. Some churches have community gardens complete with worm farms and compost bins; not only do the gardens provide healthy fresh food cheaply but every bit of green waste kept out of the land fill represents another smidgen of methane that is not escaping into the atmosphere. Places like Lincoln Envirotown are encouraging a "youth conscience", by running EnviroKids Club to help children make links with their local environment and allowing them to take action. Local churches can get behind such initiatives; our pews are full of experienced gardeners who could share their knowledge."