The Columban Creation Covenant is our commitment to the natural world. Here in Britain, Columbans have been working hard at seeking to improve their carbon footprint and to live by the ideals of Laudato Si', namely the bringing together of the whole human family to seek a sustainable and integral development, whereby humanity works together to protect the home we share.
Here in Britain, we are doing many things with the care of our common home in mind at the main Columban house in Solihull, England and our ministry teams. Solar panels for heating water have been installed on the roof, and LEDs have replaced lightbulbs. As cars come up for replacement, we buy electric vehicles. Car sharing, using bikes and feet and public transport have been utilised when considering transportation and movement. Meetings have been held over Zoom to further save on transport costs.
Recycling includes the use of glass bottles rather than plastic and giving away items that are no longer required to recipients in need or to charity shops. Columban Lay Missionaries use materials to develop recycled arts and crafts, making new from old Christmas and other cards to give to friends. There are personal commitments to shop in second-hand shops for clothes and household items.
Alongside this, when making purchases, eco and green choices are made, especially cleaning products and consumables such as tea and coffee. This philosophy is carried through to our investment policy, namely that we have no investments in GM crops, tobacco, porn, gambling, abortion, mining, military, and the like, with an ever-growing investment in renewables.
Food purchased is bought fresh and package free where possible and carried in reusable shopping bags. There is a commitment to at least one vegetarian meal a week and 'fish Friday', with reduced meat being consumed and a gradual move towards plant-based meals. Additionally, organic waste is composted, usually to help fertilise the crops grown on-site, such as tomatoes, blackcurrants, rhubarb, blackberries, and grapes.
There has been a reduction in electricity use with line drying of clothes as opposed to using a tumble dryer, as well as turning the thermostat down on heating. Indeed, washing is done in full loads, with care given to temperatures used, eco-cycles and eco-friendly detergents.
There are plans to improve our carbon footprint with a 3-year plan to plant trees, orchards and hedgerows, which additionally will give homes to wildlife. We already have horses, deer, rabbits, and foxes that visit the grounds. The addition of a wildflower garden and apiary is planned to protect our vulnerable bee population.
Fatima House, a refugee project run by the Columbans in Birmingham, has a garden, the harvest from which is shared amongst the community. Indeed, there is a lot of involvement locally with garden projects such as the Hope Garden Project, and our grounds are being used for eco-education and retreats for young people.
All these changes we have implemented to play our part in slowing climate change, including promoting these issues to the broader public. Alongside the daily commitment towards a greener lifestyle, the region has embedded the gospel of creation within its spirituality and prayer life. Caring for creation features in every issue of Vocation for Justice, the JPIC newsletter, and Columbans attended the UN's COP26 Climate talks in Glasgow in November 2021. Social media is used to promote Laudato Si' Week and Creation Time.
In schools, alongside the eco-retreats and education days, there are creation-centred themes for the annual school competitions. The theme for the 2024 competition, which launches in September 2023, is 'Biodiversity Matters', which invites young people to explore biodiversity - which humanity relies on for health, food and well-being.
Our interreligious dialogue team is actively supporting faith initiatives that engage with environmental issues, such as Echo Sikh and Faiths for a Low Carbon Future.
We have sought to reduce our carbon footprint using a Carbon Planner tool to see where savings can be made. And we acknowledge that progress must be constant and ongoing.
Helen Dufficy is the Mission Appeals Coordinator in Britain and a member of the Columban Creation Covenant Working Group in Britain.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban PEJ eBulletin.
