Undoing Global Warming / Sustainable Living Homestead

NCP now offers two very tangible initiatives for responsible living in our rapidly changing NCP offers two very tangible initiatives for responsible living in light of the many challenges facing our earth and its people . The Sustainable Living Homestead in Harrisonburg , VA combines sustainable agriculture with ground-breaking backyard environmental projects and outreach to the community. The Undoing Global Warming program helps congregations assess their energy use—and greenhouse gas emissions—and offers concrete suggestions for saving energy, emissions and money. Both efforts are coordinated by NCP's Tom Benevento, who is joined by an able crew of co-workers and a steady stream of volunteers.

How to Build a Garden by Tom and Beth

Sustainable Living Homestead

Along with its on-site innovations related to farming, water use, waste disposal and more, the Sustainable Living Homestead serves as a model for other groups in the community seeking ways to mitigate the impacts of global warming. For instance, the Central Valley Habitat for Humanity board has invited NCP to collaborate in making the solar hot water system Tom has developed a main feature of all future building projects. NCP staff also work with local church groups and others to create neighborhood garden spaces for locally produced organic food. Good news travels fast!

Community Bicycle Shop/One Mile Challenge

The Community Bicycle Shop is another effort to ease greenhouse gas emissions while providing affordable transportation for all members of the community. Used bicycles are donated to the shop, then the bikes are refurbished and "sold" to customers in return for donated labor. NCP is also working with James Madison University students to implement the One Mile Challenge--inviting area residents to walk or bike to any destination under a mile. If successful, the program will be spread to other communities.

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Undoing Global Warming campaign

Tom also gives leadership to our Undoing Global Warming campaign, bringing the expertise of a degree in Sustainable Systems, along with years of practical experience in the US and Central America.

The focus of Undoing Global Warming is to reduce the carbon footprint of the buildings in which we live and worship. Even more so than car use, heating and cooling homes and other structures is a leading consumer of energy in the United States . And, of course, with energy consumption comes a whole host of other outcomes, including:

• emissions that lead to global warming
• power plant pollutants such as mercury and particulates, along with the chemicals that cause acid rain
• mining and drilling practices that leave vast areas of our nation scarred, and other pristine areas under the constant threat of drilling
  

That's where the Undoing Global Warming project comes in! NCP offers congregations the opportunity to examine energy usage in their church facilities and homes, as well as to assess the environmental costs of lawn care practices. Plans for a weekend workshop are made in consultation with a congregation, depending on their needs and interests (see sample schedule below).

A modest honorarium is requested to offset NCP's expenses for this program. Groups are also invited to contribute a portion of the money they save from greater efficiencies toward helping heal God's creation and enhance human well-being in Central America, Africa and the US .

Contact information for Tom Benevento:
910 Collicello
Harrisonburg , VA 22802
540-433-2363
tbenevento@newcommunityproject .org

Here's how a weekend might go:

Saturday morning: Earth-Friendly Church
With church committees and/or building manager we assess the church buildings and grounds in regard to energy and water conservation, alternative energies, waste reduction, food preparation, transportation, and eco-landscaping. Together we explore cost effective and simple techniques that will reduce your church's energy and water consumption and reduce waste thus becoming better stewards of God's creation, reducing global warming gases, saving money, and inspiring others.

Saturday afternoon or Sunday after church: Hands-on Workshops
Congregation members learn about and discuss topics such as composting techniques and organic soil fertility; spiral herb gardens; home eco-cleaners; building a solar oven; deep mulch keyhole gardening (the no watering/no weeding garden); solar food dryer; forest gardening; organic pest control; season extender gardening; edible landscaping; political and institutional actions.

Saturday afternoon or evening: Earth-Friendly Home
In the home of a volunteer parishioner (and including up to 15 other church members) we will use activities and discussion to explore the many diverse and simple techniques for a more earth-friendly home that we can all begin implementing today. This workshop includes energy and water conservation, alternative energy, waste reduction and toxins, food, and transportation. We will also discuss connections between our lifestyles and people of the Third World .

Sunday morning service: The Sacredness of Life
Either during the Sunday service or Sunday school class we are available to give a presentation on faith-based, earth-friendly living.

In many ways our earth is sending out an emergency cry as humans continue to use it beyond its capacity. Christians can play a leading role in responding to the call for help by making simple yet important changes in their homes and church facilities. Plan for an SOS weekend in your church community soon!