Chapter 6
Chapter 6- Individuals can make a difference
In this chapter we concentrate on how we can develop a sustainable lifestyle. We consider housing, transport, food and consumerism. We look at the incarnation as evidence of God’s commitment to our material world, and consider the Sermon on the Mount as a guide to modern life. We conclude that to live by the teaching of Jesus today, we need to seek to simplify our lifestyles. As we do this we will become salt and light to those around us.
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UPDATE 1- Ecohouse
One of the stories we featured in Chapter 6 was Averil Stedeford's Ecohouse. On Sunday 30th December 2007 Averil appeared on a BBC Songs of Praise programme entitled Change One Thing. The presenter, Pam Rhodes, met people who were setting out to make a difference in 2008 by changing just one thing. Averil was a star! The eagle-eyed amongst you may also have spotted several Sage members who were filmed as "extras" holding a prayer meeting (Martin & Margot Hodson, Kaihsu Tai and Jennifer Gunraj who prayed). Well done Averil.
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UPDATE 2- Food
We also covered food in this chapter and looked at both "organic" and "local" options. One of the real problems we found was in deciding between the two, as much organic produce travels considerable distances, and many "food miles". The Soil Association, the guardian of organic standards in the UK, are also aware of this problem. In October 2007, they announced plans for new standards that producers would have to meet for their imports to continue to be certified "organic" if they were air-freighted. The BBC Food Matters site has a useful update on Organic Food.
Demand soars for apples and pears - interesting article from the BBC suggesting that there has been a big increase in demand for British apples. The reason appears to be that the British shopper is wanting more from local sources, and are refusing to buy imports. Another example showing that consumers can have a real impact!
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UPDATE 3- Personal Transport
Transport options at a personal level were also considered in this chapter. We are fully aware that reducing car mileage will be easier for some people than others. Living in Oxford, UK, it is relatively easy to do without a car for most of the time, but if we were living in more rural parts of this country it would be MUCH more difficult. But we have relatives and friends living in the United States- what do they do?? It has always seemed to us almost impossible to survive without a car there, but at least one person is trying:
Chris Balish wrote How to Live Well Without Owning a Car (Ten Speed Press, 2006). Lots of useful advice for how to live in the States without a car. Not everyone will want to go the whole way, but you could always keep the car and use some of the advice to considerably reduce your mileage.
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Web Links to Resources used in this Chapter
The Food Standards Agency, UK: www.food.gov.uk/