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COMMENTARIES

BY RICHARD KELLER

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. (Psalm 24)

April 22 will mark the 35th anniversary of the first Earth Day. As inhabitants of God's world, we have done a poor job overall protecting God's creation. We use far too many resources and create air, water and land pollution.

To cite a few examples, the United States and Canada have only 5.2 percent of the world's population, yet we use 31.5 percent of the world's resources while 2.8 billion people in the world (about 40 percent) live on less than $2 per day.

One in five people in the world do not have safe drinking water and about two out of every five live without adequate sanitation, according to Worldwatch's 'State of the World 2004.'

We generate more than 200 million tons of municipal solid waste per year, or more than four pounds per person per day.

In our own community, the health of the Chesapeake Bay received a grade of 'D' in 2004. It has a health index of only 27, meaning it is about one-quarter of the health of the Bay in its original, unspoiled ecosystem, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation reports.

As United Methodists, we have a responsibility to be stewards of God's creation through our actions, our prayers and our worship.

The 2004 Book of Resolutions includes 14 resolutions related to the environment, including caring for creation (from a Native American perspective), coal mining, dioxin, energy use, environmental justice and racism, stewardship, church, water and recycling and use of recycled products.

The United Methodist Church participates with the National Council of Churches of Christ in Earth Day Sunday and the Festival of God's Creation. The 2005 theme is SOS ? Sacred Oceans and Seas. Information on the event, including bulletin information and fact sheets, is available at www.umc-gbcs.org or at www.nccecojustice.org.

Earth Day is a time for United Methodists to renew their commitment to protect God's creation and preserve the Earth for future generations through worship, community action and environmental justice. There are many actions we can take as individuals and congregations. Remember to 'think globally but act locally':

• Recycle paper (bulletins and church office papers), newspaper, glass, steel, plastic, and aluminum. If you do not have a program in your church, start one. If you have a program, remind people what can be recycled. Encourage your congregation to recycle at home and at work.
• Buy recycled paper for stationery, envelopes, bulletins, copying and other uses. Use recycled paper with high levels of post-consumer content. Encourage your local office supply store to stock recycled paper and other recycled products.
• Use recycled products such as office supplies, carpet, insulation, remanufactured furniture, compost and recycled tire or wood mulch.
• Establish an aluminum can drive or clothing drive. These programs recycle materials and provide funds for church repair, to help needy families or to help local charities.
• Reduce the amount of material you use and reuse items wherever possible.
• Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.'
• Conduct a worship service on recycling and other environmental issues using sermons, readings and music. If possible, have the worship service outside, either on your own church grounds or at a local park or recreation area. This will allow you to experience God's creation.
• Conduct an energy audit of your church. Your local utility company may be able to help. Determine ways that you can reduce energy use through thermostat changes, HVAC controls, better lighting and reducing air infiltration through caulking and insulation. Encourage church members to reduce energy use in their own homes.
• Plant trees to honor those who have died or just to spruce up the church grounds.

For further information, including resources, Scripture and music for environmental services, contact Richard Keller, environmental justice coordinator, Board of Christian Presence in God's World, Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, at (410) 729-8531 or .