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Growing a Green Church

American churches own vast portfolios of land and buildings. The stories in this series explore how congregations are working to steward those assets effectively in the context of a changing climate. Are these efforts working? What's the impact? And how might they gain broader support and traction? This reporting project, a collaboration among five Christian news organizations, takes on those questions. It is supported with funding from the Fetzer Institute.

In May 2021, 76 trees were planted at St. Thomas More Academy in Washington D.C., through the Laudato Trees program and in partnership with local nonprofit Casey Trees. Later, 12 more were added to the campus. (St. Thomas More Academy/Gerald Smith)
Faith

Video: Laudato Trees planting program enlists Catholic properties to help increase DC's canopy

By Stephanie Clary
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Davis, California, became carbon neutral in 2021. The church has made efforts to remove grass and plant native, low-water plant species across its 2.6-acre campus.
Faith

One congregation offers case study as Episcopal Church works toward 2030 carbon neutral goal

By Lynette Wilson, Episcopal News Service

Diverting funds from mission and ministry outreach to building upgrades makes for difficult conversations. But by 2018, St. Martin's had reduced its carbon footprint by about 60%, its annual natural gas bill by 50% and grid electricity bills by 75%, with overall energy costs reduced by nearly 20%. With the switch to an all-electric HVAC system and the 2021 installation of the last solar array on the roof of the Sunday school classroom building, St. Martin's achieved net-zero carbon. 

White light bulb on pink background (Unsplash/Michał Turkiewicz)
Faith

Creative ways your church can save energy and reduce emissions

By Mitchell Atencio, Sojourners

If you want to make your church property more sustainable, consider these ideas around energy efficiency, transportation accessibility and building use. Going green might be simpler than you think.

In the last century, Southern California has warmed by three degrees. The region is increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity, wildfires and coastal erosion. Small changes like those on St. Mary’s campus are an integral part of the wider Episcopal Church’s response to climate change. (Courtesy of St. Mary’s)
Faith

In California, drought-resistant church gardens conserve water, connect community

By Logan Crews, Episcopal News Service

The Episcopal Church seeks to connect Episcopalians and others around gardening and growing food through its Good News Gardens movement. Landscaping changes at St. Mary's in Laguna Beach, California, have helped the parish not only limit its water usage but also reintegrate with the natural landscape and connect with the community.

 

 

Kevin Hargaden, theologian, and Ciara Murphy, environmental biologist, authors of "The Parish as Oasis: An Introduction to Practical Environmental Care" are seen in the polytunnel in the garden behind Gardiner Street Parish in Dublin. Their book is a resource for parishes responding to Irish bishops' request that parishes conserve 30% of their property for pollinators and biodiversity. (Courtesy of Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice)
Science

Irish bishops ask parishes to conserve 30% of property for pollinators, biodiversity

By Sarah Mac Donald

A request from Irish bishops strives to increase awareness of church teaching on ecology and highlight the role of people of faith in protecting creation.

An aerial view of Ascension of Our Lord Orthodox Church in Karluk, Alaska, on Kodiak Island.
Faith

Communities and planet benefit when we save church buildings on the brink

By Katie Bean, The Christian Century

Demographic changes over decades have led to many congregations becoming older and smaller than they once were. That can leave a handful of people taking care of a large, old building in need of expensive upkeep and repairs. Choices made about whether to keep or sell, preserve or demolish buildings are one way churches can combat climate change. Maintaining these structures, though challenging, shows a commitment to preserving God's creation.

Former Pittsburgh Bishop Dorsey W.M. McConnell and Rev. Noah H. Evans bless the solar panels installed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Courtesy St. Paul’s Episcopal.
Faith

Can churches spread the gospel of solar in coal country?

By Rebecca Randall, Sojourners

Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in West Virginia installed an array of 60 solar panels with a scrappy financial model, hoping to lead by example and inspire other communities in Appalachia to transition to solar energy as well. It might be working.

 

Officials with shovel prepare to plant trees
Faith

Kenya diocese's coffee farm spreads conservation skills to local community

By Shadrack Omuka

Established to facilitate evangelization, Nyeri Hill Farm, owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, has expanded its goals to focus heavily on forest restoration and environmental conservation.

 

(Pixabay/seagul)
Justice

Can money-making microgrids empower Black churches to close the clean energy gap?

By Nicola A. Menzie, Faithfully Magazine

Gemini Energy Solutions and Green The Church want African American churches to become clean energy hubs.

In May 2021, 76 trees were planted at St. Thomas More Academy in Washington D.C., through the Laudato Trees program and in partnership with local nonprofit Casey Trees. Later, 12 more were added to the campus. (St. Thomas More Academy/Gerald Smith)
Faith

Laudato Trees planting program enlists Catholic properties to help increase DC's canopy

By Brian Roewe

When a Catholic urban planner noticed D.C. church properties weren't living up to their sustainability potential, he helped start Laudato Trees, a collaborative program to address the climate needs of city and church.

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