Answering Our Climate Prayers

Religion may not be associated with harming the environment, but that's not stopping religious groups from parting the Red Sea of gloomy climate-change coverage and shining the light on environmentalism.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston earned LEED gold for renovations in its Christian Science Publishing House Building. Of the numerous LEED credits awarded, the most notable was for the salvaging and proper recycling of demolition materials and reusing of furnishings.

In a growing age of green design, people tend to forget that the greenest building is the one never built. Therefore, renovating and retrofitting – if financially viable – should be the primary focus.

Christians have engaged in eco-friendliness before, publishing a green Bible made with soy-based inks and recycled paper, but a desire for a healthy environment is universal. Regardless of your religion (or lack thereof), you can green your place of worship and show your faith in caring for the environment.

--Michael Mullaley / photo courtesy First Church of Christ, Scientist