Only use your washing machine when you have a full load. Run your washing machine at 30-40ºC. Run at maximum spin to reduce drying times. Washing at 30°C will use 40 per cent less energy than hotter programs. Put up a clothes line and dry clothes outside in nice weather and in the basement in winter.

More than 100,000,000,000 pieces of junk mail are delivered each year—that’s more than 800 pieces per household. It takes more than 100 million trees to produce the total volume of junk mail that arrives in American mailboxes each year—that's the equivalent of clearcutting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every 4 months. (Source: www.donotmail.org) Take action to reduce junk mail by signing the petition to establish a do not mail list at www.donotmail.org and follow suggestions to reduce junk mail at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/stop-junk-mail-7-ways-reduce-opt-out.php. Bonus: Request electronic bills and statements to save paper and postage.

Turn it down. If you need to add cold water when you fill the sink or run a bath, then your hot water thermostat is too high – it should be set at 60°C or 140°F.

Reflect on your lifestyle and its impact on the planet. Ask God to help you during Lent to focus on what he wants you to do to restore your relationship with the world and your neighbors.

Address your standby habits – unplug mobile phone chargers and any unused appliances. Eight per cent of electricity consumed at home is from appliances that we aren’t even using (source: www.climatecare.org). Bonus: When replacing appliances look for the Energy Star logo.

More than 150 billion liters of bottled water are sold worldwide every year. This contributes significantly to landfill and transport emissions. Say no to bottled water and drink tap water – buy a refillable washable bottle to use instead. 1.5 million tons of plastic are used every year to package bottled water (source: The Ecologist). Most of the bottles are made from non-biodegradable plastic and only about a quarter are recycled, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (www.wrap.org.uk).

Calculate your carbon footprint. Start the Fast by finding out your individual, household or church emissions so you know where to concentrate your reductions. Find out how many planets you need, go to www.myfootprint.org

Remove one light bulb from your home and live without it for the next 40 days. This will decrease your energy use and act as a reminder of what you are doing during Lent. To further reflect on climate change and faith, sign up for the lenten e-mail series, Climate Justice from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Check it out at: http://ga6.org/elca_advocacy/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=28993431

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