Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

Note: The following piece was written by Sister Mary Tomlinson on behalf of the Climate Crisis Task Force.

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform Plan Goal 4-The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles, is grounded in the idea of sufficiency and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. 

“Jesus sent out the twelve after instructing them … Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for your journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or a walking stick.” MT 10:9-10 

Perhaps the twelve were taken aback. No money, no extra tunic, no sack or sandals. Anticipating long hours of walking, how would they get along without sandals and a walking stick. Jesus instructed them to take barely what sustained them. Food and a place to sleep would come from good people along the way. Their journey would require much faith. 

More than One ‘Tunic’

Surely, none of us would think of leaving home without a purse or wallet and we would need to have enough money to take care of our needs for the day. In today’s world, we need driver’s licenses, credit cards, cell phones, appointment reminders and more. In our closets, we are likely to find more than one “tunic.” 

We need dresses, slacks, shirts and suits. We really do need clothing for each season and for all the occasions we attend throughout the year. Probably, there is a shoe rack with shoes for dress, casual shoes, running shoes, summer sandals, boots and others. For some of us a walking stick or walker is a necessity, and we wouldn’t think of going anywhere without them. 

Consumeristic Society

We live in a consumeristic society. Television commercials, magazines and websites bombard us with advertisements for handy gadgets, non-stick cookware or medications someone else thinks we need. Frequently, we are drawn in without thinking of the needs vs wants dilemma.  

All of us have gone shopping. We need a set of sheets and all around the linen department are pillows, blankets and home décor. We may be taken with the idea that a new pillow would be nice on our sofa, so we buy it in addition to the sheet set. Or we go shopping for a new blouse and find one that is perfect, and on the same rack we see a blouse that would be just right with a pair of slacks we are intending to buy.   

All of us do this. It is up to us to combat this and put the needs vs. wants ideals firmly into our consciousness.    

Take Time to Reflect

We don’t need to rush to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. We need time to reflect, making unhurried choices. Do I need all my plants, or do they give me pleasure tending to them and watching them grow? Plants absorb carbon from the air. Do I need all the pictures hanging on the walls or standing on shelves? Maybe I enjoy having pictures that bring back memories of important people I love. Is there clutter I can put away or discard? The fourth goal asks us to look at our lifestyle with an eye toward sufficiency, not sparseness.  

There is another aspect to the fourth goal — taking a sober look at how we use Earth’s resources and energy. It is a fact that we need our automobiles, but maybe we can limit the number of trips we take in a week. 

We can pay more attention to the gas gauge and become conscious of how much gas we really use. A hybrid car is a reasonable alternative for now, as electric cars are too expensive, and the charging infrastructure is just not there. We should turn off lights we aren’t using. Today, it’s less about the bill than it is about saving the energy. 

‘Unplug’

Home appliances, when not in use, are on standby using phantom power, and can waste up to 10 percent of a home’s total energy usage. Anything that uses a clock, the television, cable box, microwave, and more, all use energy when not in use.

We can unplug the coffee maker, toaster or lamps, if we don’t use them part of the day. Power cords for larger appliances are not accessible, so we have no choice but to leave them on. The charger for your cell phone and laptop should be unplugged when your device battery is fully charged. These cords use transformers which are constantly drawing energy if left plugged in. 

Earth’s Health

While we must reawaken the health of our planet, Earth has much beauty to share with us. We live among some of the most beautiful environments our Creator God has made. When asked what evidence is there that a God exits, most will answer “Earth” or “nature.” There is no one who could have created the abundance of what exists on Earth for our care, yes, but for our enjoyment too. 

It is likely that most of us live near some of that untainted beauty — forests, wilderness trails, gardens full of flowers, beaches, nature trails, mountains, streams, bird habitats and more. These are places to wander in and explore, breathing in clean air that clears the dust from our minds. It is all gift from a majestic God. 

All of it is here — colorful, exquisite, lovely and stunning — to revitalize our imaginations and stir our souls — a reminder of the Holy Mystery that sustains us!!