Resolutions revolution

January is traditionally the time of year for making resolutions. Why don’t you make some which are good for creation?

Here are ten things you could do for the planet in the next 12 months. They’re not in any particular order; some I’ve touched on in previous articles, some I haven’t.

Doing them will not necessarily make you a better Christian (beware the eco-Pharisee), but could be part of a lifestyle that cares for the earth that God has entrusted to us. They come with the disclaimer that this column is not sponsored by any particular organisation!

1. Fly less or not at all, and if you really have to fly, offset the carbon with www.climatestewards.org Their website will calculate the cost of doing this (and not just flying), and they will spend the money on a variety of worthwhile projects from cookstoves in Peru to tree planting in Uganda.

2. If you’re changing cars, think hybrid or electric. New petrol or diesel cars are being phased out in the UK by 2030 and although the Chancellor has announced that electric cars will pay tax from 2025, they should still be cheaper to run, and battery life and charging infrastructure are improving all the time. I don’t regret switching to electric last year.

3. Get a smart meter. Your energy provider may be able to do this for free, and it will give you a much better idea of where you’re using energy, and where you might be able to save money.

4. Insulate your home. Homes in the UK are on average some of the coldest in Europe. Although modern homes tend to be built to higher energy-efficiency standards, there’s still a long way to go before they’re as snug as they could be. Sometimes grants are available. I live in a 20-year old house, but we’re installing shutters on some of the bedroom windows to help keep the heat in (and the summer sun out).

5. Encourage your church to take part in Eco Church (or Eco-Congregation Scotland or Ireland). Their resources will help equip your church in every facet of your ministry, from land and buildings to worship and teaching. Even if you don’t want to enter for an award (bronze, silver and gold are available), the online Eco Survey will prompt you to consider creation-loving actions you could take.

6. Do something for wildlife in your garden. It could be a nesting box for birds, planting nectar-rich flowers, mowing your lawn less, cutting a hole in the fence for hedgehogs, or making a pond. Even if you haven’t got a garden, it’s amazing what you can do on a windowsill or balcony.

7. Reduce your plastic use. I hope you already recycle what you can. But why not go a step further and cut down on your plastic use as much as possible? We’ve already got used to doing without plastic bags at the supermarket; let’s see what other areas of plastic in your life you can find an alternative for.

8. Buy locally sourced, organic food. This may be a tough one when the cost of living crisis is making our food shopping more expensive. But, if you have a choice, eating food that’s been grown or raised with care for the planet and hasn’t been transported for hundreds of miles helps to make a difference.

9. Join a local or national campaign to protect some nature you love. There are numerous campaigns out there, from saving pandas to saving a local park. It could involve anything from adopting a pangolin to emailing your MP.

10. Support A Rocha. It’s a unique Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches to care for the environment. In the UK it runs Eco Church, and it is also active in more than 20 countries around the world. Simon Marsh works in nature conservation and is a member of St Neots Evangelical Church. Ugitiore niscipsamus, ipsum faces-tia doloriae audionecae