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It's time for us to go green

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Michelle Bearden

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: April 18, 2009

It is easy being green.

At least that's how I'm feeling after a conversation with Nancy Sleeth, author of "Go Green, $ave Green" (Tyndall House Publishers; $15).

I'm ready to compost a garden, ban plastic bottles, buy only organic, bicycle to work and give up air conditioning.

OK, the reality is this: I would like to do those things, but maybe that's a bit drastic for someone who's new to this. I have good intentions, but I realize I fail miserably on a daily basis in being a good steward of this earth.

How many reusable bags have I bought at Publix - and realize I've left them at home when I get to the checkout? How many times have I bought bottled water instead of filling up my personal mug? And why didn't I buy a hybrid when I went car shopping last year?

"You don't have to make overwhelming changes all at once. Just a little at a time," Sleeth says. "And just the smallest changes can make enormous differences in the long run."

With Earth Day coming up Wednesday, we're all talking - and hopefully doing - something to contribute to this precious planet's well-being. I don't think it's a choice anymore. We're finally coming to understand that our resources are limited and we've endangered our health. Even our pets are getting cancer.

Sleeth and her husband, Matthew, are co-directors of Blessed Earth, a faith-based environmental nonprofit group that focuses on creation care.

The couple, who live in Wilmore, Ky., believe there is a correlation between spirituality and environmentalism. As their faith walk intensified about seven years ago, so did their commitment to preserving the planet.

"Our hope is that all faiths will stand together in this movement," she says. "When religion puts its clout behind something, we can move mountains."

Regrettably, she says, the Christian church has not been as diligent as it should. But times are changing, and she has hope for the future.

"Caring for creation is actually old theology," Sleeth says. "It starts with the mindset that everything given to us is a blessing, not an entitlement. It's part of caring for our neighbors, whether it's in our community or across the globe. We've been given a mandate by God to be good stewards of this earth."

But wait: Didn't we do this dance back in the 1970s? When the oil embargo hit, everyone fretted about the energy crisis and demanded smaller cars that needed less gas. President Jimmy Carter appeared on television and asked Americans to turn down their thermostats.

We all did - for a while. Proponents of Earth Day, now in its 39th year, haven't changed their message. We just choose when we want to listen.

"We have very short memories," Sleeth says. "Even last summer, when gas prices went through the roof, and we got all excited about smaller cars and hybrids. That died down when the price at the pump went down."

She and her husband make purchases with this in mind: Am I loving God, and am I showing respect for my neighbor? They maintain an organic vegetable garden, share one hybrid car and stay out of debt.

Sleeth says we've lost time by not following through with our promises and plans from decades ago. Now there is no more time to waste.

Her book will help you get started. It's chatty, full of good ideas and information, and laced with Scriptures that support why we are called to care for creation. She breaks it out in several chapters, such as home, lawn and garden, food, holidays, and entertainment.

And yes, it's printed on recycled paper.

Ready, set, go green.

Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 256-7613.

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