Environment
Solar Expansion Project
Climate Change, from the use of fossil fuels, continues to be a growing threat worldwide.
WBUUC is helping to address this threat by reducing our church’s fossil fuel use. After adding 52 new solar panels to the existing 54 on the church roof, we now have the capacity to increase output from 10 kw to 30 kw and decrease the church’s carbon footprint by an estimated 72,000 pounds of C02/yr! This will also save $4,500 to $5,000 a year in electricity costs!
Carbon Offset Initiative
To pay for the additional collectors, members in our church community are asked to offset carbon emissions from vacation and leisure travel at the rate of $0.05 per pound of CO2 emitted and voluntarily donate this amount to the Climate Action Fund. This includes travel by automobile, plane, boat, or other transportation methods that use fossil fuels. (The cost of $0.05 per pound of CO2 emitted is based on reviews of other carbon offset programs.)
Calculate Your Offset
Ready to offset carbon dioxide emitted from your flight to Florida or Honolulu in the winter or that dream vacation in Paris or Copenhagen in the summer? Or the drive up to Ely to ski or hike? Use our Carbon Offset Calculator on this page.
Once you have your carbon offset using the calculator, donations may be made:
- By check (with “carbon” in the memo line)
- Online by clicking here and selecting “Give to Climate Action Fund (Solar Panels)”
- Text to Give – Text “Amount carbon” to (651) 615-5551. If you are donating $50, put “50 carbon” in your text.
Global Climate Action Committee
The Global Climate Action Committee educates the congregation, urges action, and collaborates with other organizations to address climate change. This group also promoted the installation of solar panels on the church roof and advocates for the ongoing Carbon Offset Initiative.
Earth Ministry
Notice. Cherish. Protect.
All are welcome to join Earth Ministry as keepers of the flame of serious environmental stewardship at WBUUC.
Earth Ministry supports White Bear Unitarian Universalist’s long-standing tradition of environmental stewardship and the 7th UU Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.” The motto “Notice. Cherish. Protect.” guides the Earth Ministry’s work. When fear and despair about climate change and biodiversity loss is daunting, being present and in community can be a source of strength and inspiration to act.
Get Involved
All are welcome to join Earth Ministry. Periodic gatherings focus on nature inspiration, observations, and ways to explore the religious and spiritual aspects of our connection with the earth. We work in concert with committees such as Climate Change Action, Land Stewardship, Gallery and Worship Council, as well as with external groups such as the UUA Ministry for Earth and Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. Contact co-chairs Joanna Eckles or Dana Boyle to get on the list to receive event updates.
Current Activities
Phenology Board
Phenology is the study of cyclical events in nature like the timing of blooming plants or migrating birds. Mark your observations of local flora and fauna on the Phenology Board at church. Noticing the cycles of nature from year to year is a form of Community Science.
iNaturalist
Take photos on church property and tag them to the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Project on iNaturalist. Here is a link to this living catalogue, which helps identify the species of flora and fauna. A beginner’s tutorial for using iNaturalist on your iOS or Android smart device is located on this site.
7th Principle Online Exhibit
Visit the online 7th Principle Exhibit celebrating Earth Day 2020, to view creative expressions from the WBUUC community.
Resources on Healing the Earth
- All We Can Save – Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis,
- Edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson (also, see the All We Can Save Project)
- Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas Tallamy (also, see the Homegrown National Park Project)
- Real Change. Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, by Sharon Salzberg
- Saving Us – A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, by Katharine Hayhoe