We have met 70% of our goal, or 800,000 lbs. of C02 savings annually.

Energy Survey

See instructions below.

St. Cecilia’s Carbon Challenge
Welcome to St. Cecilia’s Carbon Challenge homepage. As Christians, we have been called to care for God’s creation. A core value of Christianity is to live the teachings of our faith on a daily basis and to promote a more positive relationship with the earth and each other. The carbon challenge is a way to inform and empower people to take an active role in this mission.

At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God's creation and the one human family. It is about protecting both "the human environment" and the natural environment. It is about our human stewardship of God's creation and our responsibility to those who come after us.

-Pope John Paul II

Please feel free to take the St. Cecilia’s Carbon Challenge; it is free and does not require a time commitment, in fact it may actually save you money. Simply click the links to find out what a carbon footprint is, more about global warming (including resources and programs), and to get started on reducing your Carbon footprint.

What is the Carbon Challenge?

Carbon Challenge Presentation
The earth is being stretched to a breaking point. Melting polar ice, rising sea levels, more intense storms, weather extremes, increased disease ranges, species becoming extinct daily and much more, are all signals that the way we have been living over the last 100-plus years is altering the way we live today and how others will live tomorrow. Global climate change is affecting human health and our ability to adapt today. This is not a problem that will need to be addressed in the future; it is something that must be at the core of how we think about our every action and our every inaction.

At the core of climate change is excess carbon dioxide build-up in our atmosphere (see the presentation). One of the main contributors to carbon dioxide is manmade, be it from power plants, cars or manufacturing (our carbon footprint). The world must reduce carbon emissions by 60% of current levels by 2050 to avoid drastic environmental damage. Of the 7 billion tons of CO2 emitted annually, the U.S. is responsible for 25%. We can have a big impact.

The carbon Challenge is an easy and cheap way to reduce the amount of CO2 each of us is responsible for (approximately 21 tons per household). The EPA suggests that we can reduce our carbon footprint by 32% with little or no-cost changes.

How is it affecting us?

• Health and Climate Change
• Too Hot for Health

Take the Carbon Challenge

• Carbon Point System Instructions
• Carbon Point System
• Carbon Card
• Kids Carbon Challenge

Energy Consumption Awareness

To improve our energy consumption awareness, you are encouraged to fill out this simple Home Energy Survey.

Energy Survey

You only need to fill out the blue cells.  If you have not kept your electrical and/or gas usage, you can contact your provider and request the past year's information.  This survey will self-generate a total energy use number and compare it to the national average.  This number will give you an idea as to the amount of energy you are saving, or are able to save in the future and how much you might be able to save by following the Carbon Challenge.  By following the simple St. Cecilia Carbon Challenge actions, you will greatly reduce this number and save large amounts of money while preserving our environment.  When you have filled out the survey, feel free to send them to us at socialjustice@stceciliaspm.org and know that your information will always be kept confidential.

If you have fuel sources other than electric or natural gas, please contact us and we will send you a more specific survey.

Ask the Expert
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the carbon challenge. Our team of experts will promptly answer or direct you to the proper resources with questions regarding energy efficiency, energy alternatives, global warming, and Christian environmental teachings.

socialjustice@stceciliaspm.org

Tip-of-the-Week
With cold weather here, try keeping your shades closed at night to slow heat loss and open during the day to improve heat gain.

Contact Us
socialjustice@stceciliaspm.org