Cool Planet Working Group

This group was formed in response to the growing threat of global climate change. The relevance of this issue to our faith is well summarized in a resolution of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., which…

…finds that the Christian mandate to care for Creation and the biblical promise of the restoration of right relationships between God, human beings, and the rest of Creation impels and inspires us to act to reduce our energy usage.
 
...finds that the urgency, injustice and seriousness of this issue calls us as Christians to act NOW and to act boldly to lead the way in reducing our energy usage.

…strongly urges all Presbyterians to immediately make a bold witness by aspiring to live carbon neutral lives.

What we've been up to lately :
On Earth Day, Sunday, April 18, 2010, we began a 6-week Adult Study entitled Creation Care: Responding to Climate Change (for details, click here) CDs of these sessions are available in the office. On the last day of the series we hosted a Locavore Lunch . For recipes, click here. 

Our Cool Campaign ended with a special Earth Day worship service on April 26, 2009, followed by another Locavore lunch.  According to our final survey, our community took over 5000 actions and saved the equivalent of 400 tons of CO2. Click here for more details.

Click here to see readings, pictures, menu, recipes and slideshows from our Cool Campaign worship services and lunches.

What We're About
First Pres states: "We are a green church, committed to environmental action". Click here to learn more about how we're encouraging change by individuals, our church community and governments at various levels.

How to Join
We are a small,but growing, group with big plans; we could use your help!  We meet in the Church Lounge on the first Sunday of each month just after the main worship service.  For further information, please contact Susan Chamberlain.

Groups that we partner with
California Interfaith Power and Light
Acterra
Palo Alto CEAP (Community Environmental Action Partnership)

Cool Planet Tips
Check out these "cool" tips that have been published in the 1st Pres Press and on Micah's Call:

2007:
One Habit at a Time: Avoid Plastic Water Bottles
One Habit at a Time: Use Cloth Shopping Bags
One Habit at a Time: Use a Solar Clothes Dryer
One Habit at a Time: Eat Local Foods
One Habit at a Time: Ride Your Bike
One Habit at a Time: Drive Less, Drive Cleaner
One Habit at a Time: Cook Efficiently
One Habit at a Time: Eat Less Meat
One Habit at a Time: Heat Wisely
One Habit at a Time: Save Water
One Habit at a Time: Green Your Holidays
2008:
One Habit at a Time: Change Your Lightbulbs
One Habit at a Time: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
One Habit at a Time: Reduce Junk Mail
One Habit at a Time: Celebrate Earth Month
One Habit at a Time: Celebrate Spring
One Habit at a Time: Conserve More Water
One Habit at a Time: Eliminate Phantom Loads
One Habit at a Time: Dispose of Drugs Safely