environment

Compost Crew: Turn Scraps to Gold

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“The gardener said, ‘Let’s give it another year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize, and maybe it will produce next year;” – Luke 13:8-9 Composting crew: A Christian Way to Care for Creation As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the earth. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” One simple way to care for God’s creation is through composting—turning food scraps and natural waste into rich soil instead of throwing it away. Every day, tons of food waste end up in landfills, where it rots and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. But composting transforms waste into something useful—it feeds the soil, reduces pollution, and helps plants grow naturally without chemical fertilizers. It’s a way of respecting the resources God has given us. Getting started is easy. Instead of tossing food scraps like fruit peels, vegetable leftovers, eggshells, and coffee grounds into the bin, collect them in a compost bin or pile. Over time, they break down into nutrient-rich soil that can be used for gardening. Even if you don’t have a garden, many communities have composting programs. Jesus used nature in His teachings—seeds, soil, and harvests all symbolize spiritual growth. Composting is a small but powerful way to live out our faith by restoring the earth, reducing waste, and giving back to creation. Let’s honor God’s gift of nature by using what He has provided wisely—because nothing He creates should go to waste. Roselyn Kareithi says: “I love gardening; it is one of my favourite ways to relax, yet be creative. I compost so as to reduce dustbin waste, enrich the soil, have healthier plants, and get higher yields. It makes me feel content to obey God’s command to take care of the earth.”

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Feast smarter, Waste less

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.  – Luke 16: 19 – 21 The story of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us that some people can feast every day while others go hungry. Food Waste in South Africa – Why It’s a Big Deal Did you know that South Africa wastes about 10 million tons of food every year? That’s nearly a third of all the food produced! Meanwhile, millions of people go hungry every day. Food waste isn’t just about throwing away leftovers—it’s a serious issue that affects hunger, the environment, and the economy. Most food waste happens at farms, supermarkets, restaurants, and even in our homes. Perfectly good food is often thrown away because it doesn’t “look right” or expires before being used. But wasting food also wastes the water, land, and energy that went into producing it. When food rots in landfills, it releases methane gas, a major contributor to climate change. So, what can we do? Start by buying only what you need and storing food properly to make it last longer. Support food donation programs that give surplus food to those in need. If you have leftovers, get creative—repurpose them into new meals instead of tossing them out. Composting is also a great way to return nutrients to the soil instead of adding to landfills. We have the power to change how food is valued. Reducing food waste isn’t just about saving money—it’s about fighting hunger, protecting the environment, and respecting the resources God has given us. Every meal matters, so let’s make sure our food goes to people, not landfills. A few years ago there was a Taize international youth Conference in Cape Town where thousands of young people were fed everyday. Green anglicans was tasked with waste disposal which was challenging! We found a church in Langa with a pig farming project and they were able to come and take away the food waste

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Celebrate Water – World Water Day

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen” – Job 37:10 The theme for World Water day is Glaciers and icebergsSitting in Southern Africa we may wonder what has that got to do with me? Why Should Africans Care About Melting Icebergs and Glaciers? Icebergs and glaciers are thousands of kilometers away from most of Africa, so why should we care if they’re melting? The truth is, climate change knows no borders, and what happens at the poles directly affects Africa. As glaciers and icebergs melt, sea levels rise, leading to floods in coastal cities like Lagos, Dar es Salaam, and Cape Town. Small islands and communities near the ocean are at risk of being swallowed by water. At the same time, melting ice changes global weather patterns, making Africa’s climate more extreme. This means longer droughts, unpredictable rains, and deadly heatwaves—all of which threaten food security, water supply, and livelihoods. Africa is already feeling the effects. Farmers struggle with failed crops, water sources dry up, and extreme weather events are becoming more common. If we don’t act now, the situation will get worse. We can help by supporting green energy, planting trees, reducing waste, and pushing leaders to take climate action seriously. The fate of icebergs may seem distant, but their impact is close to home. The fight against climate change isn’t just about saving the Arctic—it’s about protecting Africa’s future. Let’s take action before it’s too late!

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Quick Splash: Shorter Showers & Smarter Toilets

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;  – Isaiah 1:16 Save Water: Shorter Showers & Smarter Toilets Water is one of the most precious resources on the planet, yet we waste so much of it every day—especially in the shower and the toilet. Taking shorter showers and using less water when flushing can make a huge difference in saving water and protecting the environment. Why Take Shorter Showers? A 10-minute shower can use up to 100 liters of water! By cutting your shower to 5 minutes, you cut that in half—saving thousands of liters every year. Try setting a timer, listening to a short playlist, and turn the water off while soaping up to reduce waste. If your shower water takes a while to heat up them keep a bucket in the shower which you can use to flush the toilet. How to Use Less Water in the Toilet Toilets use a lot of water—older models can flush up to 12 liters per flush! To save water: Flush only when necessary (skip the unnecessary flushes). Use a dual-flush toilet or place a filled bottle inside the tank to reduce water per flush.Fix leaks—a running toilet can waste thousands of liters per month. These small changes might not seem like much, but together, they make a huge impact. Let’s be mindful of our water use—every drop saved helps the planet!

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Eco-Friendly Clothes Washing

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

Save Water, Energy & the Planet Washing clothes is a part of life, but did you know it can harm the environment? From wasting water to polluting rivers with microplastics, laundry has a bigger impact than you might think. Here’s how to wash your clothes in a more eco-friendly way—whether you use a washing machine or do it by hand. Using a Washing Machine: Wash full loads – Running half-full loads wastes water and electricity. Wait until you have a full load to maximize efficiency. Use cold water – Heating water takes a lot of energy. Most clothes get just as clean in cold water, and it helps them last longer. Choose eco-friendly detergent – Many detergents contain chemicals that harm marine life. Look for biodegradable, plant-based options. Skip the dryer – Air-dry your clothes when possible. It saves energy and prevents wear and tear on fabrics.   Washing by Hand: Use a basin – Instead of running water continuously, fill a bucket or sink to soak and scrub clothes. Use minimal detergent – A little goes a long way, and it reduces the amount of chemicals rinsed into the environment. Reuse rinse water – If possible, use leftover rinse water for mopping or watering plants. Small changes make a big difference. Let’s wash smarter and protect our planet!

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Leak Alert

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

Because of laziness the roof caves in,and because of negligent hands the house leaks. – Ecclesiastes 10: 18 Fix That Leak—Why Every Drop CountsA small leak might not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can waste thousands of liters of water. Think about it—one dripping tap can waste up to 20 liters a day! That’s water we can’t afford to lose, especially in a world where droughts and shortages are becoming more common. Mending leaks isn’t just about saving water—it also saves money on water bills and helps protect the environment. When we waste water, we also waste the energy used to pump, clean, and transport it. That means more pressure on natural resources and a bigger carbon footprint. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be smart about our water use. Checking for leaks, fixing dripping taps, and reporting pipe bursts in our communities are small but powerful actions. Every drop saved makes a difference. Let’s be the generation that values water before it’s too late! St Thomas Rondebosch, Cape Town had a problem with the pipes of their irrigation that was leaking they immediately called the service provider to come and fix all leaks. First all the water had to be shut down on the premises so that maintenance could occur. 

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