Care for Our Common Home: Why Talk About This in a Church Community?
Humans have a uniqueness and dignity in the created order. We are not rulers over creation, but rather are meant to care for creation in loving and sustainable ways. Our shared earthly home and all its goods belong to all. Creation is a common good necessary for a dignified life. Ecological concerns are moral concerns. Those concerns involve issues of justice around the impact of our actions on the natural world, on our brothers and sisters, and on the lives of future generations, as “the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.” (Laudato Si,159)
Since care for creation and climate change involve both moral and justice issues, who then is better suited to guide us if not our Pope and our Church?
From Care for Creation: An Action Plan for the Diocese of San Diego
In the winter of 2013 I had thick icicles hanging off the north side of my ranch home. My heating costs were steadily increasing, and I felt cold even while bundled in sweaters and blankets. I needed to do something. So, I had an energy audit (An energy audit is now known as a Home Energy Assessment.) I discovered that my house needed a lot more insulation. By working with an authorized contractor, I was able to get substantial funding for the insulation work from New York state’s NYSERDA program. I had insulation blown into my attic space and my basement was sealed up tight. Now, 10 years later, I have no more icicles, I feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and for the last 10 years I am continuing to save about 10% each month on my utility bill. I also have the satisfaction of knowing that I am doing something to reduce my energy consumption which is helping our planet.
For a free energy audit of your home done by approved contractors, start here: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Residential-Energy-Assessment-Programs
To understand what subsidies, loans, and tax incentives you may be eligible for, go to nyserda.ny.gov/Residents-and-Homeowners/Seal-and-Insulate-Your-Home. A program, EmPower+, is available for low income homeowners.
And should you choose to install solar panels, you may be eligible for an Inflation Reduction Act tax credit of up to 30% of the cost.