News from The Green Team

You may have heard some murmurings about some of the activities of Islington United’s Green Team. You’ll soon be reading an article in LINK Newsletter on that very topic. Here’s the latest update.

The Green Team has been in place a relatively short time but with the support of Church Council it is pressing ahead, investigating the feasibility of installing solar panels on the roof of Stewart East Hall.

Why would we even consider such a project? Well, our creed calls us to live with respect in creation – and that means taking action where we can and doing so much more than carefully sorting our garbage each week before putting it out to be hauled away “somewhere.” We care about creation because we want all to live in a beautiful world, to be assured of the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, and not to have our lives devastated by some monstrous storm sweeping through – especially a storm caused by factors within our control. We also recognize the serious consequences of climate change caused by our actions, and that those who are most harmed by climate change in the end are often the most disadvantaged. That is the social justice dimension to the care of creation.

As a result, the Green Team is examining the installation of solar panels as one of several initiatives to “green” Islington United. Members of the Green Team have consulted other churches who have installed solar panels or are about to do so to learn from their experience. We have joined the Green Awakening Network, a United Church forum, to learn more from its members. Three experienced solar panel suppliers have provided quotes that are being evaluated by an experienced team of IUC members (Fred Leslie, Ian Reece, Bob Shirer, Elsa van Vliet, Gil Watson, John Woomert). A supplier will be recommended after completing reference checks. Financing options are being investigated and the business case refined. At present, rough estimates suggest a nine- to ten-year payback with a very attractive return on investment of 10 to 12 percent over 20 years. It is important to note that the solar panel project does not reduce our energy consumption – we do! Instead, it is an opportunity to supply clean solar power to our electric power grid and generate income for the church at the same time.

There are many ways in which we can support a more sustainable future – through better insulation of the church (windows, doors, and walls), actively reducing our energy usage (better light bulbs, occupancy zone thermostats, etc.), replacing “energy hogs” (like our electric water heater), and better management of our resources and waste. The Green Team will be investigating and driving these sorts of initiatives too, with your support.

But why are we moving ahead with solar panels so quickly, you may ask? If we care so much about the environment, aren’t there other projects we could do instead?

Several levels of government and their agencies are encouraging a significant move to alternate forms of generating electricity as an investment in Canada’s future. Here in Ontario there are provincial and municipal programs to support this move and Islington United is working with these opportunities. We have been granted a conditional contract by the Ontario Power Authority so that if we can generate electricity through solar panels we would receive 80.2¢ per kW for 20 years. But this rate is only guaranteed until the end of January 2012. As well, we would like to take advantage of the most sunny time of year (the summer) for solar power generation.

There are many ways in which each of us, as members and friends of this congregation, and within our own families, can support the creation of a sustainable future. Our children in Discovery Quest are challenging us during this season of Lent (2011) to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Why not take up their challenge. By Earth Day 2011 (April 22 – Good Friday), set yourself a challenging, specific but “doable” goal for beyond Lent. Think about it and discuss it with others – in your family, among your friends and colleagues, at coffee hour, at church meetings. Share your ideas and suggestions with others and take action!

And the members of the Green Team would love to hear from you! What are your ideas for making our church home “green?” Please don’t hesitate to speak to one of us: David Allen, Carole Bennett, Dennis Bradley, Laura Johnston, Dave Laughton, Michael Perkins or Steve Tower. Or email us. Start now; join the team!