The Social Justice committee of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and the Christian Education Committee sponsored three Earth Care learning sessions for all ages in Summer 2019. The following are helpful links and resources on three topics covered:  1)Water Conservation; 2) Public Transportation; and 3) Reducing Waste.

Earth Care Session Links and Resources

Session 1: Water: A Blessing and A Challenge
Water is life-giving, and yet either too much water or not enough water brings challenges. Here are some links to help us take practical steps at home and in our communities to be good stewards of this precious resource.
  • Take Care of Texas. A statewide campaign from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that provides helpful information on Texas’ successes in environmental protection and encourages all Texans to help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, reduce waste, and save a little money in the process!
  • Texas A&M's Water University. Information and free courses on a variety of water conservation topics, including landscape and irrigation checkups and audits, landscape design and plant selection, rainwater harvesting, and more.
  • Tarrant Regional Water District's Conservation tips webpage has tips for saving water both indoors and outdoors.
  • Water: Use It Wisely. Water conservation information, tips, and activities. Includes activities for kids.

Session 2: Public Transportation Adventure
In July 2019, our group went on a field trip through DFW Airport using both DART light rail and the new TEXRail train. We started with lunch in the Irving Convention Center area, walked to the DART station to take DART to DFW Airport Terminal A, walked to the TEXRail station in Terminal B and took TEXRail to Grapevine/Main Street. Here are links for DART and Trinity Metro to plan your own transportation adventure:
Session 3: The 4 R's of Waste Reduction
What are the limits to recycling and how can we take other steps to reduce our waste? Watch a short video (link below) that explains current challenges limiting recycling and explore some links that help you Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle:
  • Grist video: We Recycle So Much Trash, It's Created an International Crisis. Short 4-minute film explaining current challenges with recycling and why other ways of reducing waste are needed.
  • Recycle wisely; don't be a wishful recycler! Stay informed of what your municipal recycling program accepts and only put those items in your recycling bin.
  • Do a household waste audit to find out what you are throwing away. Decide on a period of time (a day or several days) for your audit. Record every piece of waste you throw away during the time period. Then consider how you can change your habits to reduce your waste.
  • Refuse single-use items and excess packaging. Straws, plastic cutlery, plastic or paper shopping bags, and to-go containers are examples of things to refuse.
  • Reduce what you consume. Buy less and instead use what you already have.
  •  Reuse or donate items so someone else can reuse them. Or find a way to reuse something by upcycling it. Upcycling is the act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. Here are some non-profits in the Mid-Cities where can you can both donate and shop:
    • NorthEast Emergency Distribution's (NEED) Twice Blessed Shop. Donations go to support NEED's ministry providing short-term emergency assistance to our neighbors in the Mid-Cities.
    • Mission Central's Coat of Many Colors store. Donations support the ministry of Mission Central.
    • Dapper Inc. Store. This non-profit in Bedford focuses on community and outreach projects for a sustainable environment and to address food insecurity in the local community.
    • Emmanuel's own Yard Sale! The next Yard Sale takes place in 2020; all proceeds go to support the mission and ministry of the congregation.