Eco Blog - St. George's Berlin

 Plastic is everywhere in our lives, but it is not necessary to use plastic for Christmas decorations. Prior centuries enjoyed many degradable ornaments for their Christmas trees. Perhaps the most common natural ornaments are made from popcorn strings with dried fruit such as cranberries or cherries for colour. Candles were traditional lighting decorations too, but anyone using candles needs to be aware of the fire danger. A dry tree poses special risks, and a nearby fire extinguisher is a good precaution, but proper care reduces the risk: spraying the needles of the tree with water can help, and placing the candles away from other boughs. Above all, care is needed, but the effort is well worthwhile to help to preserve God's creation.  Thanks to Oskar and Rachel for the suggestion!  

Dear readers, here is a link from Greenpeace to a serious problem in the artic: " Norway is planning to start deep sea mining in the Arctic. We can’t let them destroy one of the world’s most remote, ancient and untouched ecosystems for profit." The article is a available HERE .  Image courtesy of  © Markus Mauthe / Greenpeace Thanks to Robyn M. for bringing this to our attention.

 St. George's Parish sponsored a well in a village in Malawi to bring clean water to a village. Here is a photo of the well: The person in the photo is Mada Daniel (who has given permission for us to use his photo and name). Previously the village had no nearby clean water source. He well has made a real difference to their quality of life.  This is only one of several well-projects the Parish has funded to help to preserve God's creation. 

  Many climate disasters have names, but heatwaves do not.  Hurricanes are just one example of named storms. Eric Klinenberg wrote in the New York Times  (7 September 2024):    " Generations of anthropologists have demonstrated how naming not just people but also pets, places and prized objects can imbue the world with meaning. When an object receives a human name, that act of anthropomorphism elevates its social importance." ( LINK )  Naming hurricanes began in the US in 1953 as a way to improve communication. Klinenberg continues: The problem with heat is that it is " a silent and invisible killer." Nonetheless heat kills and the problem is real:  "More than 47,000 people died in Europe last year due to extreme heat, according to a new report.  The figure comes from modelling by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health that was published on Monday." (DW, 08.13.2024 LINK )  The idea  of naming heat waves is not totally new.  Klinenberg writes : "In

  Creed of God and creation (from South India) We believe in God, who creates all things, who embraces all things, who celebrates all things, who is present at every part of the fabric of creation. We believe in God as the source of all life   who baptises this planet with living water. We believe in Jesus Christ, the suffering one, the poor one, the malnourished one, the climate refugee who loves and cares for this world. and who suffers with it. And we believe in Jesus Christ, the seed of life. who came to reconcile and renew this world and everything in it. We believe in the holy spirit, the breath of God,   who moves with God and who moves among and with us today. We believe in everlasting life in God. And we believe in the hope that one day God will put an end to death and all destructive forces.   Amen. This creed was used at St. George's Anglican Church on Sunday.  (Posted with permission)

  Join the Protest against Plastic Waste!   On the 24 August, 3 members of St.George's joined the Protest Picnic in front of the Bundeskanzleramt organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The aim of this protest was to encourage the federal government to show courage, determination and a commitment to the environment by supporting the United Nations plastics treaty which is currently in negotiations.   Plastic waste is not just a problem, it is major environmental crisis. *Every three seconds over a tonne of plastic ends up in our oceans. Marine animals and seabirds are dying from our plastic waste and entire marine ecosystems are in danger of collapsing.   And we humans are not spared either - microplastics can be detected in each and every one of us, because we eat, drink and breathe them every day.* The time to act is now, we need to raise our voices, each and every one of us. The final session of the negotiations will be in November.   We must urgently signal to the governmen