Dreaming of a Green Christmas

For those of us lucky enough, Christmas can easily become a time of indulgence in all respects: abundances of food, gifts under the tree wrapped in glitter and the glimmer of lights and decorations wherever we look. This may have become the norm for some, but it comes at a price for our planet.  Together, we can make our Christmas greener by taking small, sustainable actions in our own homes and communities.

Gifts

Last week we saw Black Friday deals taking over the country. Many of us will have rushed to buy the latest gadget or outfit without a thought as to how this will affect our common home.  This Christmas, we can make our own mark by trying to buy thoughtfully from local, ethical sellers.  Our diocese is home to many independent businesses who sell sustainable and unique gifts, and an array of charity shops where you might be able to locate a hidden gem which is perfect as a gift for your family and friends.

Alternatively, charities such as CAFOD offer a range of gifts that enable you to support communities right around the world by providing life-changing materials such as weatherproof crops, PPE for a healthcare worker, a solar-powered water pump, tools to help indigenous communities tackle fires in the Amazon, and more. Why not rethink your gift list this Christmas by reducing your waste and supporting communities on the front line of climate change?

Always check labels for trusted approvals, such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Energy Star and Palm Oil Free.

Recycling

As appealing as it is, an easy change we can make is by trying to ditch the ribbon and by avoiding glittery and metallic wrapping paper. Why? These things aren’t easily recycled and therefore go to landfill sites or, in the case of glitter, which is simply micro-plastic, further pollutes oceans around the world.  Going back to basics with brown or plain paper is a great and practical idea.

Furthermore, instead of sending Christmas cards, you could make a donation to a local charity like Caritas Salford who are helping the most marginalised groups in our community who may be facing challenges in their own lives.

You can also buy Christmas cards that are made out of FSC-approved recycled paper and also donate a proportion of their profits to charity.

Food

It is easy to get carried away when doing the Christmas shop.  We can all try to reduce waste by sticking closely to a shopping list of necessities and freezing or using up any leftovers we may have.

It’s also important to think carefully about where we source our produce from. Shopping local is the best way to reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the journey from farm to plate. It’s often worth checking labels to find produce that’s as local to you as possible, or you might even wish to visit a local farm shop to see what they have in store.

Many parishes across the Diocese of Salford are carrying out fantastic work in community gardens set up in church grounds. Why not ask your local parish if they have such a project and if they are selling any produce? Perhaps even start thinking about growing your own for next year?

Meat production can also take a huge toll on our environment, but thankfully the world is fast evolving, and there are some delicious and affordable vegan or vegetarian recipes to be found that can provide a tasty, environmentally-friendly alternative for your Christmas dinner. However, if you’re still Team Turkey, be sure to keep an eye out for any locally-sourced meat and Red Tractor labels.

Lights

Nothing says Christmas like the warm glow of lights on the tree and the twinkling of decorations in our communities, but this can have a significant impact on our carbon footprint and our electricity bill.

However, there are small, simple steps we can take to reduce the impact on our wallet and our planet. The easiest and simplest of all: switch off your lights when you’re not in the room or out of the house. You could also look at putting your lights on a timer, so your lights are only on for a limited amount of time.

Switching to LED bulbs is also another simple step that can make a big difference to your carbon output, or you could even think about solar-powered lights for outdoor decorations.

Christmas trees 

The age-old dilemma of artificial vs real Christmas trees has gone a step further as we weigh up the impact our decorations have on the environment. Artificial Christmas trees are perhaps a more wallet-friendly alternative – especially if you reuse your tree year after year – but it it estimated that you will have to use your tree for a minimum of 10 – if not 20 – years to weigh up the impact on the environment. With this in mind, it’s important to take care of our trees so they stand the test of time.

However, if your heart is set on a real tree, there are steps we can take to ensure it’s as environmentally-friendly as possible. As ever, shopping local is key, so shop around to find locally-grown spruces, keeping an eye out for Forest Stewardship Council and Grown in Britain labels.

After Christmas be sure to dispose of your tree correctly, checking local recycling points to ensure your tree is being recycled responsibly. Alternatively, if you have the time and space, you could chop up your tree and create a wildlife hotel in your garden or local parish for bugs, insects, and small animals.

It is also possible to replant your tree with the right care and attention, or you can even rent one that will be replanted once collected.

We take a look back at these top tips from parishioners from Our Lady of Grace, Prestwich, who shared ideas on how to have a more sustainable Christmas in their parish newsletter as few years ago.  Could you do the same?

Remember the true meaning of Christmas

Advent can offer us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, as well as a time to step back and reflect on how we are living our lives.

As we meditate on the Nativity of Christ our Saviour, we can also welcome the birth of a new way of thinking; a renewed sense of responsibility for our world and the people living in it, wherever they may be. We remember that this little baby was “with God in the beginning”, and that “through Him, all things were made” (Gospel of John 1: 1 -3). Our planet is sacred and this Christmas, we can honour its creator by giving thanks and caring for all that He has made.

These actions are all small but meaningful.  Use the next few weeks to think about how you can give a gift that’s worth more than a smile on Christmas morning. This year, you can give the promise of clean oceans, safe air and a future that will be passed on for generations to come.