With the summer months in full gear, you may find yourself traveling more often than you normally do. If you’re like me, the ramifications of that travel do not escape you. Over the past month, I have traveled to the Northeast by plane and to the heart of South Carolina by car. I find myself unable to make these excursions without thinking about the energy expenditure involved and the cost to the climate that they create. For me, both of these trips were to share time with my family, and the value of this time is incalculable and the travel, non-negotiable. So, what is a responsible, climate conscious UU to do?
That’s where the UUCA Carbon Offset Fund comes in. The Carbon Offset Fund (COF for short) was created to help “offset” the carbon footprint that we create when we travel. As we are aware that these contributions are not a 1:1 offset in the true sense of the word, I like to think of them as softening the footprint we make. When you travel, you can make a donation to the fund in any amount you feel good about. The monies that are collected in this fund can only be spent to mitigate climate change. In other words, it can be used only for projects that lower the carbon footprint of UUCA’s building, grounds, and operations. Programs and projects are introduced to and voted on by the Climate Action Team for funding from the COF.
Making a donation to the Carbon Offset Fund is simple. Just click HERE, follow the prompts, and you’re all set. And don’t forget: you don’t have to wait until you travel to make a donation. You may want to donate in honor of a certain person or for a particular occasion. You may be in a situation where you would love to purchase an electric vehicle, but it just isn’t realistic for you at this time. You can contribute to the COF so that the congregation can take on climate friendly projects on your behalf.
And let’s face it, there are times when a monetary donation is not a feasible option. We’ve got you covered there, too. We would love to have you join us for one of our Climate Action Team meetings. No pressure to join – simply attend and see if it’s a fit for you. Not into joining? Try some of the suggestions we offer here in the blog or borrow one of the many publications in our lending library for ideas on offsetting your footprint.
When it comes down to it, we all want to do our best, but we may not know the most beneficial place to start. The Climate Action Team is here to be a resource – for you and the larger congregation. Let’s make a difference… together!
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JOURNEY WITH US: The Climate Action Team extends a radical welcome to activists, contemplatives, readers, meditators, questioners, tree hugging hippies, scientists, policy wonks, radicals, pacifists, nature enthusiasts, and all who seek community as we navigate our changing times together. Learn all about the group here, and check out our lending library and Carbon Offset Fund. Contact Jon Reese to connect to the CAT and join us for our next Zoom meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, August 21.