Greening
Our Places of Worship
Event
Helps Places of Worship "Go Green"
Story
by Beth Fiteni
People
of faith are realizing the moral obligation to take care
of creation more and more. The LI Interfaith Environment
Network (LIIEN), a project of the Sustainability Institute
at Molloy College, held its annual conference, Greening
Your Place of Worship at the Molloy College Suffolk Center,
Republic Airport, Farmingdale. The event’s theme
was “be green to save green” and featured speakers
on energy efficiency and reducing toxins, as well as twenty
exhibitors of green products & services from compost
bins to biodiesel. The event was a great success, attracting
over 120 people from various faiths.
After opening
the day with prayers about our connection to the earth
from seven different faiths, the event featured speakers
including efficiency experts from the Long Island Power
Authority (LIPA) and National Grid, and also a panel of
representatives of different faiths working to reduce utility
bills by implementing efficiency who shared lessons-learned
from their own experiences. Topics also covered included
organic lawn care and “green” cleaners. A presentation
on financial incentives for efficiency projects was offered
by a representative of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
LIIEN issued
a report called: “Greening the Faith — A Long
Island Environmental Stewardship Report,” showcasing
progress made at local places of worship in reducing their
environmental footprint. Ten places of worship from across
Long Island were highlighted for changing old lightbulbs
to new CFLs and LEDs, use of solar panels, planting community
gardens, implementing greener cleaners, recycling, and
the use of biodegradable cups & plates to reduce the
amount of Styrofoam and other disposables at events.
LIIEN provides
a “How-to get Started” tips factsheet on how
to green your place of worship. SeeLIIEN.org for
more information, or contact Beth Fiteni of the Sustainability
Institute at Molloy College at 631-963-5454, email efiteni@si.molloy.edu or
call Keith Mainhart, St. Martin of Tours Parish Outreach
at 631-264-4840 or smtoutreach@optonline.net
