Fabulous Felix

Whatever your age, you can have a big impact. Felix Finkbeiner was only nine years old when he started a tree-planting campaign at his school in Germany. Today his organisation, Plant-for-the-Planet, plants trees all over the world and educates young people about climate change.

Be a Creation Champion

There are lots of ways to help protect our planet. Switch off lights when you leave a room to save energy. Walk or ride a bike or scooter instead of being driven places to reduce pollution. Recycle as much as you can to avoid waste. Use reusable items instead of plastic straws, bags or bottles. Take short showers and don’t leave taps running when you brush your teeth to save water and energy.

With everything you do, think about treading softly on our precious world. Take only what you need, reduce the amount you buy and use and enjoy what you already have.

Inspire Change

You can also inspire other people to be climate champions. Ask your church leaders or teachers to turn off lights when they’re not needed, use environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions or install energy-saving lightbulbs. Here are some other ideas…

Show your leaders or teachers page 3 of this issue to encourage them to set aside space for nature.

Get involved with Environment Sunday (4 June). Your leaders or teachers can nd out more at salvationist.org.uk/resources/key-dates/ environment-sunday.

To request some seeds to grow some bee-friendly flowers, emailresources@salvationarmy.org.ukbefore 3 June. Seeds are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Become an eco-church. Point your leaders to the following websites to nd out more…

England and Wales – ecochurch.arocha.org.uk

Scotland – ecocongregationscotland.org

Ireland – ecocongregationireland.com

Search YouTube for ‘Right Tracks One Planet’ to listen to a cool song about protecting our planet. Then share it with your friends!

For more information about The Salvation Army’s Environmental Office, visit salvationist.org.uk/environmental-office. Children’s group leaders can also check out the Care for Creation Resources.