The Journey
of
Environmental
Stewardship
Kerry Stevens
Chairperson
Bethany United Methodist Church
Church and Society Ministry
Chris Searles
Founder & Director
IMPACT
Environmental Education and Services
It’s a Journey
• Environmental stewardship is about living a life which
honors God through our use and care of God’s magnificent creation
– It’s living in harmony with God’s plan for humans and the environment
• It’s a spiritual journey
– Living within God’s will, aligning our hearts with God’s, helps us draw
closer to God
– There is much to learn and much to do
– We are all at different points in our journey
• What’s important is that we recognize that God expects us to
care for God’s creation and that we commit to growing in our
understanding and actions to do so
– Individually, every little bit we do helps us move along on our faith
journey
– Collectively, working together as the body of Christ, we can make a big
difference in the world
• The goal of this presentation is to help you start, or continue to grow
on your own journey of environmental stewardship
2
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
God Created and Owns the Earth
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in
it, the world, and all who live in it;
- Psalms 24:1
3
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
God Created and Owns the Earth
The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for
the land is mine; with me you are but
aliens and tenants.
- Leviticus 25:23
4
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
God Loves His Creation and
Is In Relationship With It
This is the sign of the covenant I
am making between me and
you and every living creature…
a covenant for all generations to
come; I have set my rainbow in
the clouds, and it will be the
sign of the covenant between
me and the earth.
– Genesis 9:12-13
5
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
God Loves His Creation and
Is In Relationship With It
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. Who by
his understanding made the heavens…Who spread out the earth upon the
waters…Who made the…sun to govern the day…the moon and stars to
govern the night…And who gives food to every creature. His love endures
forever.
– Psalm 136:1, 5-9, 25
6
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
God Loves His Creation and
Is In Relationship With It
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be
jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the
forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
7
– 1Chronicles 16:32-33
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
All Creation is Connected
Then God formed man from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…
- Genesis 2:7
8
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
All Creation is Connected
…To everything that has breath of life, I have given every
green plant for food.
- Genesis 1:30
9
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Created in God’s Image, God Expects
Us to Faithfully Care for Creation
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the
sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and
over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth.
– Genesis 1:26
• Dominion does not mean ownership or unrestricted use.1
– Dominion comes from a Hebrew term meaning 'higher on the
root of a plant.'
– Implied in our dominion is our dependency on everything under
us.
• Cut the root from under a plant and the fruit above it will
perish, despite its superior position.
1. Matthew Sleeth, Serve God Save The Planet
Created in God’s Image, God Expects
Us to Faithfully Care for Creation
The Lord God took the man and put him into the
Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
- Genesis 2:15
• The Hebrew term for till means literally 'serve'. 1
– The human being is seen to be in service of the earth, upon
which its life depends
1. New Interpreters Study Bible, Excurus: Dominion or Dependence
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
11
Jesus is Integral to Creation
All things came into being through him, and without him
not one thing came into being. What has come into being
in him was life, and the light was the life of all people.
12
- John 1:3-4
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Caring for Creation Honors God &
Shows Love to our Neighbors
[Jesus said] ”’Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all
your strength and with all your mind’;
and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Luke 10:27
13
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
If you borrowed a friend’s house, would you….
…cut down the trees in the yard?
…drink up all the water
and not replace it?
Of course not!
But we do
this every day...
…spread
poison all
around?
to God’s creation.
…set the thermostat
o
on 95 when you leave?
…leave piles
of trash?
14
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
15
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
16
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
17
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Depletion
Water
•
Less than 1% Earth’s water is freshwater and readily available for human use R1
–
–
•
Though repeatedly recycled, the amount of water on Earth remains about the same R9
Human population continues to grow, requiring more water
Water demand is growing three times as fast as the population growth rate
–
R8
One fifth of world population faced shortages in 2000, increasing to 30% by 2025 R8
Avg Gallons of Water/Person/Day10
200
•
U.S per capita water consumption is highest in world
–
–
R8
65% of the U.S. freshwater is used for irrigation of
arid/semi-arid land R5
Municipal water use is fastest growing category in Texas R7
•
25% of Texas urban water use is for landscape and gardens R6
151
150
101
100
50
23
2.6
0
.
U.S
Ita
ly
in
Ch
a
z
Mo
•
b iq
am
ue
Lack of water is already creating regional challenges
–
–
Water is pumped from some Texas aquifers twice as fast
as being recharged R2
Rio Grande river no longer flows into the Gulf of Mexico,
at times
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
18
Resource Depletion
Trees
• A healthy planet needs healthy trees
– Create oxygen to breathe
• Absorb CO2 to 'cleanse' air and
help regulate climate
– Provide food and habitat for many plants and
animals
– Absorb heat and stabilize soil
• The world loses a net of 18 million acres
of forest trees every year - an area nearly
the size of South Carolina R11
– Construction materials
– Land-clearing for farming
– Paper and packaging production
• The Sunday New York Times required 75,000
trees per edition in 1996. R12
19
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Depletion
What Do These Have in Common?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Credit cards
Gasoline
Pens
Sun glasses
Trash bags
Nylon rope
Crayons
Tooth brushes
Deodorant
Margarine
Video tape
Telephones
Heart valves
Contact lenses
Medications
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Combs
Polyester
Shaving crème
Golf balls
Disposable
diapers
Fertilizer
Linoleum
Hand lotion
Milk jugs
Insecticide
Patio furniture
Shampoo
LP Gas
Shower curtain
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nail polish
Tennis shoes
Lipstick
Candles
Paint
Carpet
Soap
Perfumes
Balloons
Photo film
Insecticides
Plywood
Hearing aids
Bandaids
Artificial limbs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Jet fuel
Fishing rods
Garden hose
Helmets
Panty hose
Safety glass
Drink bottles
Asphalt
Heart valves
Tires
Boots
Unbreakable dishes
Tennis rackets
Toys, Dolls
Styrofoam cups
They’re wholly or partly made from crude oil. R13
20
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Depletion
Oil
• Oil is the world’s most important source of energy R16
– The U.S. economy and lifestyle are heavily dependent on its
availability
2041
2036
2031
2026
2021
2016
Supply
Supply
Demand
Demand
Growth
2011
– World demand is projected to
increase 40% by 2030 R15
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2006
• Oil will be gone by 2045,
assuming current consumption
from only known reservoirs R15
MBO
Oil Consumption
• The U.S. is the largest consumer of oil;
3rd largest/person of top 160 nations. R17
– Transportation accounts for 2/3 of the U.S.
consumption R14
21
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and
increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
22
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Efficiency
Use Less
• Take shorter showers
– Use low flow faucets and shower heads
• Drive fewer miles by consolidating trips, ride sharing, working from
home occasionally
– Buy local produce to minimize transportation
• Read material online instead of printed copies
– Use both sides of printer paper
• Purchase paper and other products made from recycled materials
• Consume fewer plastic/Styrofoam products
– Use your own cup at frequented places (e.g. work, church, commute)
• Use less electricity, which is mostly generated from fossil fuels
– Replace incandescent lights with compact florescent or LED bulbs
– Install and use programmable thermostat
– Set water heater on lower temperature,
no more than 120o
23
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Efficiency
Use More Efficiently
• Xeriscape landscaping and use mulch
to retain moisture with drip irrigation
– Collect rainwater for use on lawn and garden
• Set sprinklers to avoid runoff and minimize
evaporation during heat of day
• Drive slower and in vehicles with higher mpg
– Tune up autos and maintain proper tire pressure
• Purchase more efficient (e.g. Energy Star)
appliances
– Use Austin Energy and PEC rebates to reduce cost
• Weatherize home with attic insulation, sealing
around windows and doors and outlets
24
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
25
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Biodiversity Extinction
•
Biological diversity refers to the variety of plants, animals and ecosystems and their
interactions B8
–
–
There are 1.6 million identified species B5
There are an estimated 5 to 15 million species in total, with new ones being discovered B6
•
•
Slow recovery occurred after the catastrophic natural cause subsided B24
Many believe we’ve now entered the Holocene or 6th extinction period B24, B4
–
785 extinctions have been documented since 1500 A.D. B5
•
–
–
–
Believed to grossly under represent the true number of extinctions due to incomplete knowledge B30
Extinctions or threatened extinctions have increased dramatically in the past 50-100 years,
now 100 to 1000 times the average evolutionary rate. B4
Species threatened by extinction B5
•
•
•
•
•
B7
Earth has experienced and recovered from 5 mass extinctions B1, B3, B24
–
•
Nearly 500 new species discovered on ocean floor in space half the size of a tennis court
12% of birds
21% of mammals
30% of amphibians
39% fish analyzed
About 50% of Earth’s biodiversity could be extinct by the end of the century B1, B4
Unlike the previous 5 periods, these extinctions are caused by humans B28
–
–
–
Over use
Habitat alteration
Other causes, including pollution and climate change
26
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Biodiversity Extinction
Over Use
•
•
•
•
25 million buffalo were hunted to near extinction by 1880’s,
with half killed in only 10 years B20
5 billion passenger pigeons were commercially hunted to extinction
in the last decades of the 1800’s B21
Caribbean monk seal was extinct by the 1950’s following extensive
slaughter for oil and to reduce competition with commercial fishermen B26
A third of all fishing stocks have dropped to less than 10% of the maximum
due to over fishing B9
–
–
•
•
70% of fish sold as Red Snapper are other species B9
Cod fishing collapsed and has been banned off Newfoundland by Canada B9
The ‘bushmeat’ trade is putting primates at significant risk, such as the Miss
Waldron Red Colobus monkey of west Africa, hunted to extinction by 1978 B22, B13
Poaching threatens the Tibetan black bear with extinction for the medicinal value of
its organs B28
27
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Biodiversity Extinction
Habitat Alteration
• Worldwide, more than 28,000 acres of rainforests are destroyed each
day, mostly to logging and agriculture B16
– Police seized 500 truckloads of illegally cut hardwoods in Brazil in Feb
2008 B31
– Rainforests are home to at least half of the world’s species of plants and
animals B16
• Habitat alteration affects 86% of all
threatened bird species B3
– 80% of the Central America original forest
canopy is gone, contributing to the decline of
many migrating song birds. B13
– Since 1980, U.S. has converted more than 10
million acres of forest to suburb, while losing
60,000 acres of wetlands annually B15, B13
– Use of non-native plants increases threat for
some bird species B3
• Migrating Monarch butterfly populations
dropped significantly due in part to rapid
deforestation of Ovamel fir trees in MexicoB13
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
28
Biodiversity Extinction
Habitat Alteration
• Spectacular coral reefs of the Red Sea, and
other areas, are facing extinction due to
destructive fishing practices and dredging.B3, B32
Before
– Coral provide habitat and food for thousands of
species B32
• Bottom-trawling fishing 'clear cuts' the ocean
floor of it’s vast biodiversity B17
– Trawlers scrape nearly 6 million square miles a year,
many hauling in up to 1.6 tons of coral per hour B17
Before
After
29
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and
increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
30
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Biodiversity Conservation
• Use only native landscaping
– See Native & Adapted Landscape Plants guide from
Texas Cooperative Extension and the city of Austin
• Buy only in-season and local foods from grocers
or farmers markets
– Reduces demand for more agricultural land
• Purchase products certified as being
grown and harvested environmentally
responsibly
–
–
–
–
–
Marine Stewardship Council
Aquaculture Certification Council
Forest Stewardship Council
Fair Trade Certified
Rainforest Alliance
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
31
Biodiversity Conservation
• Create a wildlife sanctuary in your yard for
habitat and food with trees, flowers, grasses, etc.
– Birds, butterflies, and more
• Replace habitat destroyed in building your home
or business
• Experience and learn about nature
through camping, hikes, canoeing
– Use local, state, and national parks
• Purchase trees for planting in remote locations
– Consider World Vision or Heifer International
• Eat less meat and more grain products
– Raising animals for food is resource intensive
32
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
33
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Toxicity
Benefits of Synthetic Chemicals
• The use of synthetic chemicals have generated
tremendous benefits
– Increased food production
• Fertilization, pest control, growth hormones
– Variety of clothing readily available
• Increased cotton production, polyester
– Shelter and Furnishings
• Plywood, floor and wall coverings, electrical wire insulation,
comfortable furniture, paints
– Health
• Malaria prevention, chemo therapy
– Pleasurable living
• Air conditioning, shampoo, fragrances
– And more!
34
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Toxicity
• Many chemicals threaten the life they benefit T15
– Can be absorbed by skin, inhaled or ingested T16
– Ingredients can also get swept up into the food chain as waste or effluent
and end up in the rivers and oceans T16
• There are more than 75,000 synthetic chemicals used in the U.S.
todayT44, T51
– The U.S. Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 grandfathered in 62,000
then in use T44
– To gain approval for new chemicals, companies need to provide toxicity
info, from which the government can require additional testing T44
• To date, the government requested testing of just 200 synthetic chemicalsT44
• Chemicals in one consumer product alone are unlikely to cause harm.
– Small amounts of toxic chemicals add up and can accumulate in bodies
or the environment T52, T18
– The effects of a nearly infinite number of chemical combinations is difficult
to determine
• 1 in 2.5 men and 1 in 3 women are expected to get cancer
in their lifetimes T17
35
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Toxicity
Personal Care Products
• The FDA does not test, nor require safety tests of,
personal care product ingredients prior to marketing.T13, T14
– It only requires accurate labeling and that products not cause injury when
used as directed T14
• Action can be taken later if products prove to be injurious T14
– Only 11 ingredients are restricted in U.S. T13
• The European Union, where safety must be proven prior to marketing,
has banned more than 1000 T16, T44
– Testing is performed by an industry Cosmetic Ingredient
panel T49, T50
Review
• Environmental Work Group reports only 11% of
10,500 ingredients have been tested for safety T18
• One of every 120 personal care products on the
market include ingredients certified by the U.S
government as a known or probable carcinogen.T21
– In a CDC study, 100% of sampled adults had phthalate DBP in their
bodies, known to cause birth defects in animals T25
36
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Toxicity
Plastic and Household Products
• Substances used to make plastics, can leach into food,
especially fatty foods such as meat and cheese. T5
– Some data suggest DEHA, commonly used in plastic wrap, is an
endocrine disrupter, potentially causing breast cancer, birth defects, low
sperm counts T5, T7
• The use of DEHA in plastic wrap was banned in China T6
– BPA, which can leach from items such as baby bottles, causes
estrogenic activity and has links to cancer in animals, T45, T46
• PFOA, a synthetic chemical commonly used for non-stick
cookware, is widely found in animals and humans T10, T11
– It accumulates in the body and environment and is associated with cancer,
liver toxicity, developmental and immune system disorders in animals T10
– The EPA has identified it as a likely carcinogen T8
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), such as formaldehyde,
are emitted from thousands of products T31
– Products include paint, cleaning supplies, furniture,
carpeting, and building materials T31
– Health effects include asthma, nausea, damage to liver, kidney,
central nervous system. Some are carcinogenic T31, T32
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
and
37
Toxicity
Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizer
•
Pesticides, widely used since the 1940’s, can be toxic to humans and animal life T43
–
–
Suburban lawns and gardens receive up to 3X more pesticide per acre than agriculture. T42
Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, studies . . .
•
•
•
–
Inert ingredients can be more toxic to humans than the active
ingredient T42
•
•
•
800 out of 1200 inerts are classified as ‘of unknown toxicity’ T42
57 are highly toxic due to known carcinogenicity, adverse reproductive effects, birth defects, etc. T42
Atrazine, the most widely used herbicide in the U.S., is linked to imbalances in
hormone levels, cancer, and disrupting reproductive and growth processes T36, T37, T38
–
–
•
Link 26 with liver or kidney damage, 21 with reproductive effects,
19 with cancer, 13 with birth defects T42
Show 24 are toxic to fish and aquatic organisms, 16 are toxic to birds,
and 11 are deadly to bees.T42
Find 17 are detected in groundwater T42
Used primarily on corn and other crops, but also on some lawns
More than 1,000,000 Americans drink water from systems not meeting
EPA's standard T37
U.S. commercial fertilizer use has increased 400% since 1940T48
–
–
Fertilizer run off into the Mississippi creates a 6,000 sq mi
oxygen-depleted ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico, ‘suffocating’ fish,
shrimp, and shell fish T33
200 similar dead zones in oceans world-wide T34
38
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and
increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
39
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Natural and
Organic Use
• Buy certified organic foods and other products
– Purchase items made from organic or ‘transitional’ cotton
• Some products also made with natural dyes and no synthetic chemicals
• Start a vegetable/herb garden
• Use ‘washables/reusables’ to reduce use of plastic/styrofoam
products
– Use compostable disposable items made from fully
biodegradable ingredients when convenience is needed
– Use glass for food storage
• Use natural fertilizers and pesticides
– Leave clippings on yard to reduce fertilizer required
– Use all lawn and garden products sparingly
• Use authorized sites to dispose of hazardous waste
– CFL bulbs go to Home Depot or IKEA
– Rechargeable batteries go to Radio Shack
– Earth911 website to locate other disposal sites
40
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Natural and
Organic Use
• Purchase low- or no-VOC paints (< 100-150 g/l)
and other products
– Use carpet-free floors
• Use environmentally safe cleaning products, such as
– 7th Generation
– Green Works
• Choose personal care products with all natural ingredients
– Tom’s
– Burt’s Bees
– Affordable Mineral Makeup
• Consult guides to make informed choices of many products
– For general information, consider Guide to Less Toxic Products at
http://lesstoxicguide.ca/
– For personal care products, consider Skin Deep at
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
41
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
42
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Waste Accumulation
Landfills
•
Americans generate more trash per person than any other country w7
– 500 billion lbs./year
•
w3
The average amount of trash generated per person is increasing
– From 2.7 lbs. in 1960 to 4.6 lbs. of trash/person/day today
•
w3
Most trash ends up in landfills
– Paper is the largest landfill element, 35% by weight w3
– By design, contents degrade very slowly and remain there
hundreds of years w2
• A newspaper can easily be read 40 years later w2
•
Landfills can diminish earth’s natural beauty, affect the
habitat and health of animals and humans, and limit the land’s use
– In 1991, residents of an Austin apartment complex built on an old municipal
landfill had to be evacuated due to methane accumulation in the units w4
– In 1994 at least 28 Texas landfills were discovered to have caused ground water
pollution w4
– Landfills can be a breeding ground for disease-causing insects and rodents w5
•
As the amount of trash increases, so does the need for more landfills
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
43
Waste Accumulation
Litter
•
Trash may also end up as litter
– Beverage containers are the largest source of litter by volume (40-60%) w8
– The most littered item worldwide is the cigarette butt, estimated at several trillion
pieces/year w6
– Each year more than 1 billion pieces of litter accumulate on Texas highways. W6
•
Much litter eventually is blown or washed into the
ocean, where it washes up on beaches, sinks, or
collects in floating 'garbage patches' W12
– 8 million items of litter enter the ocean every day W14
– There are 9 large areas, where current and weather
patterns cause trash to collect (i.e. 'gyres') W17
• The North Pacific ocean contains a 'garbage patch'
more than twice the size of Texas, containing 1 million
pieces of litter per square mile W9, W19
•
Litter diminishes earth’s natural beauty, affects the
habitat and health of animals and humans, and limits
the use of the land and seas.
44
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Waste Accumulation
Plastics
•
Thousands of consumer products and convenience items are made with
plastics, many designed for single use.
– Shoppers worldwide use up to 1 trillion plastic bags per year. W12
– Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate (plastic) w6
– Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam cups annually W15
•
Plastics, like diamonds, are forever
– They do not biodegrade. W12
– Consume 16% to 26% of landfill space W13
– Up to 89% of litter on the ocean surface is plastic W14
•
More than 1 million birds, more than
100,000 whales, seals and turtles, and
countless fish are killed by plastic rubbish
every year. W9
– Primary causes: Entanglement, suffocation,
or starvation by ingestion W16
– There are 46,000 pieces of plastic per sq.
mile on average over the entire ocean. W18
– The North Pacific ‘garbage patch’ surface
contains 6 times as much plastic by weight,
as plankton W9
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
45
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and
increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
46
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Waste Reduction
Reduce
• Use fewer disposable products
– Use washables
– Carry your own coffee cup
– Drink tap water
• Choose products with less packaging
– Purchase in larger sizes
• Read online, don’t print
– Consider online newsletter and contribution statements
• Stop junk mail with 'do not mail' list
– Register on web with Direct Marketing Association
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Waste Reduction
Reuse
• Use reusable shopping bags
instead of paper or plastic
• Donate computers, eye glasses, building
materials, clothing, furniture and other
unwanted items to others
– Consider family and friends, Goodwill, Habitat
for Humanity, Hill Country Community Ministry
• Repair items rather than replace
• Shop at resale stores or Craig’s List
• Use both sides of printer paper
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
48
Waste Reduction
Recycle
• Recycle home/business/church paper, plastics, glass,
and metals through trash service or other community
services
– See Bethany’s Environmental Stewardship website to get started
– Bring recyclable papers to neighborhood green and yellow Abitibi
bins
• Purchase and use recycled printer paper
– Available at Office Depot, Office Max, and Wal-Mart
• Compost food scraps indoors or outdoors
• Mulch lawn clippings as you mow
or compost at home
• Use compostable 'plastic' items made from fully
biodegradable ingredients
49
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Our Stewardship Sometimes Falls Short
Resource Depletion
Using resources beyond their
natural rate of replacement
Biodiversity Extinction
Destroying species through
use or alteration of habitat
Toxicity
Putting
harmful
chemicals
into the
environment
Waste
Accumulation
Climate Change
Altering long-term
global weather
patterns
Accumulating
trash and other
unwanted material
50
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Climate Change
• The earth goes through
natural heating and cooling
cycles C9
– Cycles are driven by
natural events such as
solar and volcanic activity,
and the earth’s orbit
• Sophisticated computer
models predict a cooling
cycle (in blue), considering
only natural factors C9
• The models predict a
heating cycle (in red), when
accounting for human
activity C9
• The actual measured
temperature (in black) is
consistent with the model
with human activity C9
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
51
Climate Change
• 'Greenhouse'
gases are the
primary
human
contribution
to climate CO
change C9
2
CH4
– Emissions
grew
significantly
in the
industrial age
– CO2 is a one
of the main
gases
52
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Climate Change
• Burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil (e.g. gas, diesel),
are leading sources of CO2 emissions C9
– Transportation and power generation account for the majority R14
• The U.S. is a leading producer of CO2/person C10
53
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Climate Change
• Increasing CO2 and
other greenhouse
gases, trap heat,
causing the earth’s
temperature to rise
• This temperature
increase causes
polar land and sea
ice and snow to
melt and sea levels
to rise C9
54
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Climate Change
• The Arctic ice has been melting at a faster rate than computer models
originally predicted C5
– The 2007 summer melt set a new record C5
– All summer ice could be gone in 30 years at the current rate C5
• The U.S. Dept of Interior has listed the polar bear as threatened due
to its loss of icy habitat C4
• The Antarctic, and glaciers around the world, have also been
dramatically receding C12,C13,C14
Arctic 2003
by NASA C15
Arctic 1979
by NASA C15
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
55
Climate Change
• A rise in sea levels would threaten coastal populations worldwide
– 8 of the 10 largest cites are coastal C6
– More than 50% of the U.S. population live near a coast C7
• Some aggressive computer models predict the sea level could rise up to
21 feet by 2100 C9
– Tokyo (12 million people), Calcutta (14 million people), New Orleans, the
Texas coast, and others, could be submerged or surrounded by the sea C8
New Jersey and NYC Area with 21’ sea rise C8
Arctic 2003
NASA
Arctic 1979
NASA
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
56
Climate Change
• There are other
broad effects of
climate change C9,C11
– Droughts
– Desertification
– Storms
– Disease
– Disruption of
ecosystems
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
What Can We Do?
Resource Efficiency
Use less and
increase efficiency
Biodiversity Conservation
Preserve and restore habitat,
use at sustainable levels
Natural and
Organic Use
Use
nontoxic
products
and
processes
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
Reduce use of
fossil fuels
Waste Reduction
Reduce
consumption,
reuse, recycle
58
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Use Less Fossil Fuels
• Drive less
– Consolidate trips, share rides, walk, bike
– Work from home periodically
– Use public transportation
• Use more fuel efficient vehicles
– Keep tires properly inflated
– Drive slower
• Buy local foods requiring less transportation
– Use farmers markets
– Grow a garden
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Use Less Electricity
• Replace incandescent lights with compact florescent or LED bulbs
– CFL’s can save up to 70% of lighting costs
• Replace aging appliances with more energy efficient models
– New AC’s can save 50% of cooling costs
– Use rebates from PEC and Austin Energy
– Put timers on electric water heaters
• Raise indoor temps in summer, reduce temps in winter
– Use programmable thermostats
– Use ceiling fans
• Turn off lights, TV’s and other electronic devices when unused
– Many electronic devices consume power when ‘off’
– Consider using power strips to completely turn off power
• Reduce hours running pool pumps
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Use More Renewables
• Purchase green power
– 5% adder at PEC ($6/mo @ 1200 kwh)
– 22% adder at Austin Energy ($25/mo @1200 kwh)
• Dry clothes outdoors
• Use air dry in dishwasher
• Use solar energy to create electricity
or heat water
• Patronize carbon-neutral companies
– Or those with meaningful plans to be so
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
There’s Hope!
We can be made new again!
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in
accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were
taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.
- Ephesians 4:20-24
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
62
Environmental Stewardship
Pledge
• You’re invited to join us on the rewarding
of environmental stewardship
journey
– Your actions are one way to honor God and what God has created
– It offers a lifetime of benefits to you and future generations
– Please take advantage of the ongoing education and services
offered by your community
• Make a pledge to start new actions or seek new
understanding of the issues
– List 3 simple things you can do in the next two weeks
– Write down 3 more things you can do in the next several months
• What would make you grow?
• You may include gaining more knowledge of certain topics
– Name 3 things you’re willing to consider in the long term
• What would stretch you?
• Write them down even if you don’t know how you might do it
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
63
Thank you!
Visit the Bethany Environmental Stewardship
website to view this presentation again,
including the cited sources:
bethany-umc.org/environment
May your journey be filled
with God’s blessings!
64
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Citations
65
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Resource Citations
R1. Gleick, P. H., 1996: Water resources. In Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather, ed. by S. H. Schneider, Oxford
University Press, New York, vol. 2, pp.817-823.
R2. Texas Environmental Almanac, 2000 (Texas Center for Policy Studies)
R3. Unicef, 1999
R5. U.S. Geological Services, http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuir.html
R6. Texas A&M University, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/xeriscape.html
R7. Texas Environmental Profiles, http://www.texasep.org/html/wqn/wqn_1trn_sctr.html
R8. World Water Council, via Associated Press,
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/12/12/Worldandnation/US_worst_for_wasting_.shtml
R9. Envrionmetal Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/edresources/water_5.html
R11. Elizabeth Mygatt, World’s Forests Continue to Shrink, (Eco-Economy Indicators, Earth Policy Institute, April
2006: Compiled from U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (Rome:
2006), http://www.fao.org/forestry/32033/en/
R12. New York Times, 30 June, 1996, http://www.williams.edu/HistSci/curriculum/101/garbage.html
R13. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), http://www.opec.org/library/FAQs/CrudeOil/q4.htm;
Thomko Petro Chemical, http://thomko.squarespace.com/petrochemical-petroleum-produc/;
Teaching Tools Crude Energy Teaching Guide, http://www.teachingtools.com/CrudeEnergy/BlackGold.htm;
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum;
Yahoo, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071216072245AAF0DtH;
R14. Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/oil_market_basics/demand_text.htm
R15. Energy Information Administration, (Demand) http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/pdf/oil.pdf;
Energy Information Administration (Supply) http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/reserves.html
R16. Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum
R17. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_oil_con_percap-energy-oil-consumption-per-capita&date=2007
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Biodiversity Citations
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B1 Virginia Morrell, "The Sixth Extinction," (article), National Geographic Magazine, Feb. 1999,
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/9902/fngm/index.html)
B3 Earth Policy Institute, http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB2/PB2ch5_ss7.htm
B4 Wikipedia, Holocene Extinction Event, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocene_extinction_event
B5 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), http://www.iucnredlist.org/static/stats
B6 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), http://www.iucn.org/news_events/?75/Seventy-five-percent-of-bearspecies-threatened-with-extinction
B7 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/environment/conservationnow/global/marine/
B8 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/environment/conservationnow/global/biodiversity/
B9 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overfishing
B11 Social Science Research Network, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=971603 (buffalo)
B12 IT Wire, http://www.itwire.com/content/view/12954/1066/
B13 National Audubon Society, http://www.audubon.org/campaign/population_habitat/pdf/PopHabitatBrochure.pdf
B15 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/threats.pdf
B16 MongaBay.Com, http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0801.htm
B17 Cable News Network (CNN), http://www.cnn.com/TECH/science/9812/15/bottomtrawlers.yoto/index.html
B20 Social Science Research Network, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=971603
B21 Eco Action, http://www.eco-action.org/dt/pigeon.html
B22 The Extinction Website, http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/misswaldronredcolobus.htm
B24 American Institute of Biological Sciences, Dr. Niles Eldredge, http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/eldredge2.html
B26 The Extinction Website, http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/caribbeanmonkseal.htm
B28 The Extinction Website (see side links), http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/animals.htm
B30 The Extinction Website (see side links), http://extinctanimals.petermaas.nl/
B31 Austin American Statesman, Feb 24, 2008
B32 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
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Toxicity Citations
T1 Breast Cancer Fund http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=70918
T2 Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep Data Base
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/search.php?nothanks=1
T5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/602_plastic.html
T6 China.Org.Cn, http://www.china.org.cn/english/BAT/146610.htm
T7 New York Times,
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E5DA1531F930A25752C0A96F958260
T8 Progressive U, http://www.progressiveu.org/190000-microwave-popcorn-causes-cancer
T9 Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-110/#b
T10 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPATOX/2003/April/Day-16/t9418.htm
T11 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pubs/pfoainfo.htm
T13 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-210.html
T14 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-206.html
T15 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, http://www.safecosmetics.org/your_health/
T16 Seattle Post-Intelligencer, http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/291217_cosmetics06.html
T17 National Cancer Institute, http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/selections.php#Output
T18 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics,
http://www.safecosmetics.org/docUploads/Unmasked%202007_final.pdf
T19 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cosdiox.html
T20 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/dioxane.html
T21Coop America, http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/cosmetics.cfm
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Toxicity Citations – Cont’d
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T25 Cable News Network (CNN),
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/women/11/29/nail.polish/index.html
T31 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
T32 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html
T33 Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421143836.htm
T34 Fire Earth, Environmental News and Information,
http://feww.wordpress.com/category/fertilizer-runoff/
T36 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/atrazine.htm
T37 Environmental News Service, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2003/2003-02-03-08.asp
T38 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrazine
T42 Beyond Pesticides, http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/facts&figures.htm
T43 Virginia Tech University, Pesticides and Aquatic Animals: A Guide to Reducing Impacts on
Aquatic Systems http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/waterquality/420-013/420-013.html
T44 Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103569.html?nav=hcmodule
T45 National Institute of Environmental Sciences,
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm
T46 Environment California, http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/environmentalhealth/environmental-health-reports/toxic-baby-bottles
T48 Wessel’s Living History Farm, http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/crops_06.html
T49 Cosmetic Ingredient Review, http://www.cir-safety.org/
T50 Person Care Products Council,
http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Us
T51Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/tsca.html
69
T52 LBP, http://www.lpb.org/education/classroom/itv/envirotacklebox/teacherguide/module5/5accu.htm
© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Waste Citations
W2 How Stuff Works, http://people.howstuffworks.com/landfill7.htm
W3 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), http://www.epa.gov/msw/facts.htm
W4 Texas Environmental Profiles, http://www.texasep.org/html/wst/wst_2mtx.html
W5 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litter
W6 CigaretteLitter.Org, http://www.cigarettelitter.org/
W7 Nation Master, http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/env_pol_mun_was_per_cap-pollution-municipal-waste-percapita
W8 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litter
W9 Best of Life magazine, http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/healthfitness/Our_oceans_are_turning_into_plastic_are_we_2_printer.shtml
W10 Austin-American Statesman Editorial, January 4, 2008
W12.Algalita, http://www.algalita.org/pdf/Action-sheet.pdf
W13 Substances & Technologies, http://www.substech.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=plastics_recycling ; the Society of
the Plastics Industry, http://www.socplas.org/outreach/environment/2103.htm
W14 United Nations Environmental Program,
http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/about/distribution/default.asp
W15 Saco, Maine Public Works Dept, http://www.sacomaine.org/departments/publicworks/recyclingfacts.shtml
W16 Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society,
http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/3A037F8C02AF8F2580257059003E322B
W17 Algalita, http://www.algalita.org/pdf/plastic-in-the-environment.pdf
W18 United Nations Environmental Program
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=480&ArticleID=5300&l=en
W19 Thomas Hayden, U.S. News & World Report at Mindfully.Org, http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/TrashingOceans-Plastic4nov02.htm
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles
Climate Change Citations
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C4 U.S. Dept of Interior, http://www.doi.gov/issues/polar_bears.html
C5 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090402_seaice.html
C6 United Nations Atlas of the Oceans,
http://www.oceansatlas.org/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0xODc3JmN0bl9pbmZvX3ZpZXdfc2l6ZT1j
dG5faW5mb192aWV3X2Z1bGwmNj1lbiYzMz0qJjM3PWtvcw~~
C7 Live Science, http://www.livescience.com/environment/ap_050301_coastal_pop.html
C8 Dynamic flood mapping at http://flood.firetree.net/
C9 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), http://www.ipcc.ch/
C10 Nation Master, http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/env_co2_emi_percap-environment-co2emissions-per-capita
C15 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2003/1023esuice.html#addlinfo
C11 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/human_impact.html
C12 U.S. Geological Society, http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/repeatphoto/gg_mt-gould.htm
C13 Union of Concerned Scientists, http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science/early-warningsigns-of-global-warming-glaciers-melting.html
C14 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retreat_of_glaciers_since_1850 (with over 90 references)
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© 2008 Kerry Stevens and Chris Searles