Still Wondering What to Give Up for Lent? Bishops Suggest Carbon.
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.
*
Apparently, the bishops would rather have their parishioners curse the darkness than light one incandescent bulb.
*Different religion, same concept.