Faith Communities Go Green

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ECO Tips

Thank you to Susan Vogt for compiling these helpful eco-tips from the founding of FCGG through early 2026

Week 1: ENERGY
EASY: Run full loads in your dishwasher, washer, and dryer (or be adventurous and dry
your sheets and other flat items on a clothes line.)
CHALLENGING: If possible, transition to renewable energy – Solar, Wind, or
Geothermal
Bonus: Consider installing one of these in a school, house of worship, office building.

WEEK 2: CLOTHING

EASY: Take care of the clothes you already have. Buy only the clothes you need.
CHALLENGING: Purchase clothing made of natural fibers. Avoid petroleum-based
fabrics such as nylon, polyester, and fleece.
Bonus: Through on-line research, find clothing made from recycled materials.

Week 3: TRANSPORTATION
EASY: Drive less; walk/bike more. (This doubles as exercise so you don’t need a gym.)
CHALLENGING: Consider a car-free day once a week. (Maybe once a month?)

Week 4: EDUCATE YOURSELF
EASY: Subscribe to environmental news like YES magazine, Sierra Club. Read (or re-read) Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato
Si’
CHALLENGING: Learn about the practices of indigenous people. What native
Americans originally occupied your part of the country?

Week 5: PLASTIC
EASY: For Community meals: Instead of plastic utensils, carry a metal collapsible
cutlery set or a Spork
CHALLENGING:. At home, avoid Teflon coated non-stick pans as Teflon contains
plastic. Invest in ceramic pans instead. 

Week 6: CLEANING
EASY: Review my Eco-Friendly household cleaning products list at bit.ly/44rpb3C
CHALLENGING: Choose one new product to try.

Week 7: ENERGY
EASY: Turn off computers and other appliances when not in use.
CHALLENGING: Clean or replace filters for all appliances/furnace/air conditioners that
have filters.

Week 8: EDUCATE YOURSELF
EASY: Google Regenerative agriculture vs Industrial agriculture. Do you understand the
difference? Then google “What are the & cons of Industrial farming?”. 
CHALLENGING: Choose a Regenerative agriculture farming practice to support

Week 9- SPIRITUAL

EASY: Meditate this week on how I can reduce my consumption of goods and choose one action to take.

CHALLENGING: Meditate regularly on simplifying my life. Find a way to multiply your insights with the broader community through writing or speaking.

 

Week 10: Plastic

EASY: Don’t buy plastic straws for home use. Decline them when offered at restaurants.

CHALLENGING: If a straw is necessary at home (or you just really like using one) try a bamboo or reusable metal one.

 

Week 11 – ENERGY USE

EASY: Try an electricity free day. Candlelight at night can be romantic. It’s OK to keep the refrigerator or other essential appliance running.

CHALLENGING: Consider whether you can eliminate one electric appliance (shaver, fan, dryer, AC) from your home – or at least reduce its use.

 

Week 12: PAPER

EASY: Stop junk mail. Opt out at 1-888-567-8688 or click here to find out how. 

CHALLENGING: Use recycled, post-consumer paper products for kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning.

TO EDUCATORS, LEADERS, & MINISTERS:
Susan Vogt offers you these Eco-Tips as a resource for those you serve.
Her own faith tradition is Catholic, and thus Pope Francis’ teaching in Laudato Si’ inspired these ways of Living Laudato Si’. Of course caring for creation transcends religions and is indeed a universal undertaking. It cannot be done alone.
You are welcome to reprint these in bulletins, newsletters, and on your website with the credit “By Susan Vogt, www.SusanVogt.net“
Since those we reach may be in many different places regarding environmental efforts, I offer 2 options each week:
EASY: Some of us are just starting to awaken to the need to care for creation, or have been busy with jobs, raising a family, or other social justice commitments. We may not have much discretionary time. OR, it may simply be a relief to note, “Hey, I’m already doing this one!” Good.
CHALLENGING: Others have been engaged in the environmental movement for awhile and are ready to take a bigger step. To multiply our efforts, we are called to go beyond our own personal lifestyle, and to make bigger, systemic changes. Consider how to impact change in our neighborhoods, cities, country, the world.