Skip to main content

5 ways you can be like a tree and reduce CO2

Scientists agree that the CO2 we put into our atmosphere from gas, oil and coal is a major contributor to climate change, and they also agree that we must decrease this CO2 production and put some back into the soil.

Trees can be a big help:  Over 10 years, one tree can take 140 lb of CO2 from the atmosphere.

So Plant a Tree! April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In celebration, the United Church of Christ has set a goal to raise funds to support the planting of over 50,000 trees around the world and remove 3500 tons of CO2 from the air!  Global Ministries, the shared ministry of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), works with international partners who are caring for creation in new and meaningful ways. Through projects that utilize the talents of local communities, Global Ministries partners are planting new trees as part of holistic, environmental justice ministries.

In these days of stay at home, it is difficult to get to plant a tree,
so the JCC will donate to the Organization of African Instituted Churches in Kenya to plant 10 trees in areas identified as priority regions for reforestation in East Africa.  Donate here (option 2)

You can personally help get to the 50,000 trees by planting a tree in your yard if there is a good place to plant!

Or, you can do these virtual tree plantings:

You can keep 140 lb of CO2 from the atmosphere in other ways.
1. Bring 40 pounds of your compostable materials to church, and put it in our outside compost bin.  Read the details here
2. Save 7 gallons of gasoline (drive your 25 mpg car 170 fewer miles).  Do the math here
3. Keep your house a little warmer this summer, and save 85 kWh of electricity Do the math here
4. Replace beef with plant protein in 27 meals for one person (7 meals for a family of 4) Read about the carbon footprint of different eating choices here
5. Join the JCC effort, and donate to the UCC plant a tree effort:  Donate here

Whatever you decide to do, let us know, so we can tell the UCC!  Email Gary Smith at smithgk@mindspring.com.