Book Review

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

50 Ways to Help Save the Earth
How You and Your Church Can Make a Difference
Rebecca Barnes-Davies
Westminster John Knox Press 06/09 Paperback $14.95
ISBN: 9780664233709

"The truth is that we alone cannot save the Earth. But we are called to help in God's ongoing saving work in the world. This is our task: to learn to reshape our lives to honor rather than destroy God's creation," writes Rebecca Barnes-Davis, a consultant for Environmental and Social Justice Ministries who has served as the director of Presbyterians Restoring Creation.

This user-friendly guide presents 50 ways that Christians can fight global climate change and take seriously their responsibilities as good stewards of the Earth. The paperback is divided into sections on Energy, Food and Agriculture, Transportation, Water, People, Other Species, and Wilderness and Land. Each chapter presents seven action possibilities including practical suggestions, scripture passages, relevant facts, and additional sources of information.

Best of all, Barnes-Davies sprinkles sections called "Walking the Talk" throughout the chapters. These profile churches that are offering innovative programs to spur members to do their part to care for the earth. Examples are a "tending the Garden" ministry, a congregation protecting biodiversity by landscaping their church grounds with native plants, a church that has converted to 100 percent renewable energy, and a community that provides church-based support for local farmers.

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by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat