How Can We Better Care for the Earth?

Caring for the Earth Starts at Home

“Parents can teach children at a young age to be environmentally conscientious,” Elder Kearon advises. “Parents, assisted by faith communities, can teach and show that the responsible use of resources is a way of respecting all humankind, of caring for our brothers and sisters the world over.”

Caring for our planet is something we need to do both individually and as families. This starts with understanding why God asks us to do this in the first place. Here are some ways you can start to “care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 86):

Understand Why Environmental Sustainability Matters

• Study the blessings we can receive when making environmentally sustainable decisions. Here are some places to start:
  
  • Gospel Topics, “Environmental Stewardship and Conservation,” Gospel Library
  • Gérald Caussé, “Our Earthly Stewardship,” Liahona, October 2022
  • Doctrine and Covenants 104:11–17
  • Genesis 1:26–31; Abraham 4:26–31; Moses 2:26–31
  • Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46
• Ponder how caring for the earth shows your love of God and fellow man.

Put Faith into Action

• Seek God’s guidance on how your family can contribute to local sustainability efforts.
• Sing together hymns or Primary songs that express gratitude for God’s creations, such as “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” or “For the Beauty of the Earth.”
• Spend time in nature to appreciate the beauty and importance of this gift from God.

Improve Energy Efficiency

• Find ways to conserve electricity, such as shutting off lights and using efficient kitchen appliances.
• Ensure that your home has good insulation.
• Reduce reliance on air conditioning and heaters by wearing season-appropriate clothing.

Conserve Water

• Purchase low-flow fixtures and appliances where possible, such as toilets and faucets that use less water.
• Plant local flowers, shrubs, or grasses that are most adapted to local climates, and consider removing or reducing unused grass lawns in dry regions.
• Collect rainwater (within your area’s legal limits) and use it for watering gardens or flushing toilets.

Avoid Material Waste

• Recycle glass, paper, cardboard, and metal if your city provides such services.
• Learn to repair, or find new ways to reuse, products instead of replacing them.
• Donate used items instead of throwing them in the trash.
• Use reusable or biodegradable bags and water bottles instead of single-use plastic.
• Be mindful of food waste.
• Compost organic materials.

Reduce Transportation Emissions

• Use a bike for errands or trips less than three miles (five kilometers).
• Use public transit or carpool.
• If you own a car, keep it properly maintained and keep the tires filled. This improves vehicle efficiency and reduces gas expenses as well.

Protect Biodiversity

• Join local service projects to clean up riverbanks, beaches, parks, and other natural environments to allow native biodiversity to flourish.
• Install “bug hotels” and other related structures to encourage insects that pollinate flowers.
• Keep storm drains clear of debris, such as dead leaves, to reduce pollutants that reach fish populations.
• Dispose of toxic waste appropriately, including batteries, medications, and paint.

Improve Climate Resiliency

• Cultivate a garden or join a community garden.
• Strategically plant trees to increase shade, reduce dust, and minimize damage from rain or flooding on your property.
• Prioritize locally available ingredients in your diet so that your groceries are less vulnerable after natural disasters.

Caring for the Earth at Church

Church facilities like meetinghouses and temples are managed by professionals who strive to implement ever-changing standards for energy efficiency, water use, trash collection, and so forth. But there are numerous opportunities for members and friends to assist and expand these efforts.

• Service activities: Gather ward and stake members together for conservation or sustainability projects. You may try making reusable shopping bags from old T-shirts or collecting and donating unused toys instead of throwing them away.
• Ward activities: Enhance any ward activity by serving locally produced, in-season foods and less meat in meals, in accordance with the Word of Wisdom. You can also set up recycling bins alongside trash cans, where local rules allow.
• Water and energy conservation: Members should feel empowered to care for their meetinghouses and the environment by being conscious of water and energy use. One example is turning off lights and air conditioning in a room when it is not in use (Church Handbook 35.4.4).

Talk to your local Church leaders about additional ideas that fit your congregation’s circumstances.

Caring for the Earth in Our Cities

The Church encourages members to be civically engaged and to positively influence their local areas (Church Handbook 38.8.30), so if your local area is facing a particular environmental challenge or need, consider sponsoring or recommending a community project yourself! For example, one congregation in Duluth, Minnesota, USA, gathered over 125 people to clean up a beloved local beach. What project can you think of for your local community?

Starting a community garden or tool library, where seldom-used appliances or home improvement tools can be found and shared, can be wonderful options to beautify neighborhoods, care for your stewardship, and connect with new people. These are great ways to live both the first and second great commandments.