Note wrong email address in 18th March newsletter

All are warmly invited to attend 

Environment Questionnaire

1. What is the biggest concern for the world ? (- rank from 1 - most concerning to 14- least concerning )
   1. Rising world population 3
   2. The democratic deficit – the drift of power to unelected organisations. 8
   3. Global Financial crisis (Credit crunch, euro crisis etc) 6=
   4. Social problems created by drug and alcohol misuse 4
   5. Environmental problems – global warming, biodiversity loss, depletion of resources 1
   6. Poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor 2
   7. The rise of Islam 13=
   8. Declining moral standards in the West 9=
   9. The growing power of China 13=
   10. The increase of globalised organised crime – including internet crime. 5
   11. Terrorism 11=
   12. The demographic time bomb – the aging population 6=
   13. Intractable conflicts – Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan etc 11=
   14. Nuclear War 9=

Environment and Poverty were well ahead with world population a clear third. If this question had been asked 40 years ago then we would have got very different answers – probably Nuclear War would have been further up the rankings.

2. What is your favourite animal or plant? 3 dogs, a primrose, a sunflower, a deer and a dolphin

3. What is your favourite habitat (e.g. mountains, cities, farmland etc.) ? 3 mountains, 2 coast, 1 countryside, 1 inland loch

4. What do you value most about the “environment”? - (rank 1 as most valuable)
   1. The beauty and variety of the landscapes and natural habitats 1
   2. The beauty and majesty of plants and animals 3
   3. The natural resources it provides for the good of mankind’s comfort 4
   4. The land and eco resources it supports to feed, clothe and shelter people. 2

No clear winners in this question. It was divided equally between those who valued the environment for what it gives people, and those who value it for its own sake – or at least that was the idea of the questions.

5. Rank the following possible Government environmental policies (rank 1 – most effective)
   1. Major investment in Renewable Energy 1
   2. Transport policies to encourage public transport use 2
   3. Enforcement of environmental building standards 3
   4. Grants for home insulation, new boilers, windows etc 5=
   5. Discouraging air travel (higher taxes , no new runways etc) 4
   6. Discouraging Car use (higher taxes, road pricing etc) 9
   7. Recycling policies 5=
   8. Green taxes 7

Renewable Energy was a clear winner. This one shows we all love using our cars!

6. What in order of effectiveness what I should personally do to reduce my negative environmental impact – or footprint? (rank 1 most effective)
   1. Shop intelligently and become aware of where products come from and the impact of their production on the environment. 1
   2. Buy local, seasonal food 3=
   3. Turn down my central heating thermostat 6
   4. Take public transport/walk/cycle instead of using a car where possible 7
   5. Reduce, Re-use Recycle 8
   6. Reduce home energy use by getting an efficient boiler, insulation etc. 9
   7. Don’t fly so much (or not at all!) 2
   8. Holiday in Scotland 5
   9. Just buy less 3=

The intelligent shopping was well ahead. There was not a great spread between the others.

7. What should our church do to care for the environment more? (rank 1 as best idea)
   1. Support each other by sharing our resources. 1
   2. Don’t get our own building. 4
   3. Become an Eco congregation (/www.ecocongregationscotland.org) 2
   4. Have more preaching on living more simply 3

The only thing coming out of this one was that “not getting our own building” was a clear last.

Ruth Beattie has passed away at 7am on Wednesday the 9th of November, we will miss her, but rejoice that she is with her Lord. Please pray for David Young who was faithful in his care of her and also the family members in their loss.