Comment - June 2010
Welcome to the new website
After months of redesigning, researching and rewriting we now have a new Shrinking the Footprint website launched at our Second National Shrinking the Footprint Day attended by representatives of every diocese at Lambeth Palace. The day features reports and presentations covering a wealth of environmental issues involving the Church here and around the world.
We thought that last year's Shrinking the Footprint day was a success, but this year's event attracted even more delegates proving how environmental issues are climbing up the Church's agenda involving a range of diocesan departments and activities.
This new website is a vital resource to keep everyone informed. Over the past few months our website team - Rachel, Ruth and Martin have been working hard to create pages and sections which now be constantly monitored and updated.
It's great having a new look, but we need to keep the content fresh and bang up to date so do help by sending us ideas, news and views.
You will find case studies featured, but we want more to illustrate the many actions which churches are undertaking to improve energy efficiency, manage buildings sustainably and encourage biodiversity. There is a template which you can download from our case study section.
2010's energy use will be recorded in Measuring our Footprint 2 and whilst dioceses will choose their own methods of recording the data this website will be providing national support and information. As churches install more efficient lighting and heating and consider the amount of time heating and lighting are used the footprint will be reduced. Suggestions and advice for saving energy can be found in the Toolkits section.
This year Shrinking the Footprint is encouraging every church to consider the environment around its buildings too, by supporting International Year of Biodiversity. Added together our churchyards are a huge national park containing a fantastic array of wildlife which we want to celebrate. 2010 is also the 10th Anniversary of Yews for the Millennium and as part of anniversary all churches with notable, veteran and ancient yews are being encouraged to ensure that all these are protected by Tree Preservation Orders.
Please use this website and pay it regular visits. We will be featuring new developments as they happen reporting where churches are installing new equipment and sharing the trials and tribulations that new projects can involve. It is important for others to learn from experiences, both good and bad.
So thanks to Rachel, Ruth and Martin and thanks to our friends at Ecclesiastical Insurance for their support.
Now we want you to join in both here on the website, and with Shrinking the Footprint on Twitter whenever you can.
