We know that when we drive our gas-fueled cars, buy food transported from far away places, take a flight to an exotic destination or when we use electricity from the grid, CO2 is generated.  CO2 is a greenhouse gas and rising greenhouse gas levels are a driving factor in climate change. According to EPA statistics, transportation accounted for 29% of 2017 greenhouse gas emissions, electricity 28%, industry 22% and commercial and residential sources including heating 12%.  Electricity may be generated using fossil fuels or alternative energies such as wind or solar. According to its own reports the majority of Eversource’s electricity for New England is generated using fossil fuels. On a household basis we can estimate how much greenhouse gas we generate from all our activities and this is our carbon footprint. Reducing our carbon footprints as individuals and households, as a church community and as part of a global effort is one of our goals. 
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The Diocese of Western Massachusetts is participating in an online pilot program to estimate a household’s carbon footprint and actions to reduce it.  Go to www.sustainislandhome.org to register your household for this program.  The Green Team is interested in your input about this program so please get back to us.  
-Ella Ingraham, for the Green Team     ​