Still Wondering What to Give Up for Lent? Bishops Suggest Carbon.

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I know it's late. Lent began more than a week ago, but perhaps some of you have been tardy in deciding what sacrifice to make. Well, a couple of Church of England bishops have an idea for you: How about a "Carbon Fast"? To wit:

"There's a moral imperative on those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon to rein in our consumption," [suggests James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool].

The Carbon Fast is a 40 day journey through Lent, towards a lighter carbon footprint, with a simple energy saving action per day. Actions include:

  • snubbing plastic bags
  • giving the dishwasher a day off
  • insulating the hot water tank
  • checking the house for drafts with a ribbon and buying draught excluders

Participants are asked to begin the Carbon Fast by removing one light bulb from a prominent place in the home and live without it for 40 days - as a constant visual reminder during Lent of the need to cut energy.

On the final day of the Carbon Fast, people are encouraged to replace the missing bulb with an energy-saving bulb.

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Apparently, the bishops would rather have their parishioners curse the darkness than light one incandescent bulb.

*Different religion, same concept.