The 2018 General Convention of The Episcopal Church addressed 19 resolutions further strengthening its position on stewardship of the environment and creation care, sending a message of engagement to Episcopalians churchwide.

You can read more about the resolutions and find links to them here: Convention Reinforces Creation Care and take the Pledge for Creation Care here: Creation Care Pledge 

The Diocese of California has developed a resource called “Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home”. It includes a new carbon tracker that is being made available to the entire Episcopal Church. Bishop Greg Rickel is encouraging parishes and members of the Diocese of Olympia  to be part of a group of dioceses that will be testing the tracker.

The tracker is easy to use – you create your household profile, browse the list of actions you can take to reduce your impact on the environment, add them to your dashboard, and the tracker will provide you with the next steps you need to take. You can find Bishop Rickel’s statement and a link to the Carbon Tracker here: Invitation to the Carbon Tracker

Here is an orientation on how to use the Carbon Tracker: Vimeo Carbon Tracker Training

Genetically Modified Organisms

What are GMOs?
GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.

For more information on GMOs and resources for identifying non-GMO foods, see The Non-GMO Project website (www.nongmoproject.org)

 

African Elephants

Africa’s largest tusker elephant, Satao, was killed by poachers in April. The anti-poaching team in Tsavo the Kenya Wildlife Service and Moller’s team went on the hunt for the poachers themselves. On 22nd June it was reported that three of the men responsible for Satao’s death had been arrested by KWS. Save the Elephants & the Tsavo Trust then donated a new Toyota Landcruiser fitted out for anti poaching work, funded by the STE / WCN Elephant Crisis Fund. KWS have dedicated the vehicle to large elephant protection, making it a perfect compliment to the Tsavo Trust’s aerial support.

If Satao’s fellow great tuskers are to remain in the world to astonish more people, to leave them wide-eyed and make them feel the span of eras, then we must do more. We have great plans that are already being implemented; new initiatives to reduce demand for ivory, helping authorities crack down on trafficking networks, and of course tightening the essential web of security on the ground.

As always, none of this would be possible without the donations that fund the work of Save the Elephants, and of our partner organisations. Our heartfelt thanks to all those that have lent their support. And for those who want to get involved, please remember that donations given through the Elephant Crisis Fund are matched to double their impact, and 100% reach the project itself.

See this link for more information about how to help Save the Elephants:

http://www.savetheelephants.org/special-feature/the-spirit-of-satao-the-great-tuskers-that-transport-you-across-the-ages/