It can take the passion of a committed group of people or just one person to make positive change happen. In the case of Humbercrest United Church in Toronto, it started with the zeal of one parishioner, Rita Bijons, and the foresight of her minister to create Planet Matters, an awareness-building group that challenges parishioners to participate in, and demand, solutions to climate change. Bijons, who sought out the EcoAction Teams program for help with her project, talks about what Planet Matters is all about.
—  EcoAction Teams

By Rita Bijons

In 2006, I read The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, and there began some deep thinking about climate and our role at this moment in time. At that time I realized two things: 1) we were in “dire straits” and 2) the issue of climate change was also spiritual. Planet Matters first began meeting in the fall of 2007, with an interest in raising awareness of the great environmental matters facing us and with the goal of discerning our role in taking positive action. Small groups of us began by working out carbon footprint calculations, learning how to reduce our impact, bringing in guest speakers to educate us on topics such as solar energy, Bullfrog Power or the EcoAction Teams calculator. Over time we have learned and implemented measures to reduce waste and introduced collecting green bin waste.

One Thousand Acts of Green

From February 1st to March 28th, Planet Matters challenged the congregation to engage in and chronicle “One Thousand Acts of Green” at church, at home, and in the community at large. A range of acts were created from composting, turning off lights, producing paperless bulletins at church, and upgrading to energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, to insulating homes, picking up litter, cycling or taking transit in the neighborhood, and participating in telephone conferences rather than traveling to meetings. Humbercrest’s goal to achieve one thousand acts was surpassed. One fellow, who in a key position of planning for a running race organization, implemented better waste solutions (compostable, recyclable and garbage) for six races which involved approximately 40,000 people in Toronto!

Together we have the power to make the change these times require of us. We have a duty to care for Creation. We hold in our hearts the vision of our Earth in its integrity, and act to assure the best possible future for ourselves and all our companion species.