Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
Green Sanctuary Audit
January 3, 2008

Preamble

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno (UUCF) is the only UU congregation in the ethnically diverse and politically conservative Fresno-Clovis area. It has a membership of 326 and total average Sunday attendance of 200.

Prior to August 2007, the church was located in an old, poorly insulated building with insufficient natural light. The lighting in the sanctuary consisted of large incandescent fixtures that offered poor illumination and contributed to the heat load in the summer. Staff and members were careless about leaving lights on throughout the church campus. The heating and air conditioning were very inefficient due to the construction of the buildings. Since most of the air conditioners were single, stand-alone units, they were frequently left running unnecessarily and set at too low a temperature.

When considering building a new church, the congregation voted to build according to Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification requirements, despite the greater cost of doing so. In August, the congregation moved into California's first soon to be LEED certified church. The building was constructed and oriented in such a way as to significantly conserve energy. Features and materials include natural lighting, bamboo flooring, recycled steel, low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and products, low flush toilet and waterless urinals. The landscaping includes drought tolerant plants and drip irrigation. A solar array will be installed in 2008.

Audit

1. ENERGY
What are your energy usage patterns and current conservation practices?

Current status:
As expected there have been some “bugs” in the computer-controlled temperature and lighting systems of the new church. Once they have been resolved, we'll be able to collect accurate baseline measurements of our energy use. Wasteful behaviors such as leaving lights and heating or cooling on when not in use have continued. We have no policies and procedures for inservicing church staff (paid and volunteer) and members about how to use the green features of our church.

We already are experiencing a parking space shortage. A new carpooling program is in its infancy. Although many members drive hybrid vehicles, few of them regularly carpool. Several members ride their bikes to Sunday services. Two bike racks provide sufficient bicycle parking space.

The Fresno area is plagued with poor air quality and traffic congestion. In April 2007, we distributed to members and friends an Earth Day Pledge list of earth-friendly activities they might choose to do. Of 81 respondents, 19% agreed to keep their vehicle tires properly inflated, 11% agreed to carpool, and 22% said they would drive more slowly.

Evaluation
Although our building will be LEED-certified, we need to improve our use of its green features to minimize our energy consumption related to lighting, heating, cooling and electrical equipment. Carpooling and alternative forms of transportation must be strongly encouraged. Since driving more slowly and keeping tires properly inflated increase fuel economy, these practices also must be encouraged. A congregational consciousness of energy conservation and alternative energy use must be cultivated and maintained by way of policies and practices related to all aspects of individual and church life.

2. RECYCLING
What are the local recycling procedures and what is your level of compliance?

Current status:
We presently have no written policies for recycling. Per LEED certification requirements , we have recycling bins for paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal. The material in these bins is collected by the City of Fresno recycling program. The bins in the kitchen are not placed conveniently. Some people do not always properly separate our non-recyclable from recyclable waste. A lot of paper is being used for church activities. Orders of service and other handouts used during church services are recycled. The church holds both an annual rummage sale and a used book sale. Used books and videos may be donated to the church library.

The office staff is making a conscious effort to separate recyclable from non-recyclable office waste. The church participates in a program to recycle printer ink cartridges from both the church and individuals. Toner cartridges are not recycled.

Evaluation
We need a church-wide policy for reducing, reusing and recycling, as our current practices are inadequate. Bin location, capacity and signage should be evaluated and revised to improve compliance.

3. NON-DISPOSABLE MATERIALS, CLEANING SUPPLIES
What are existing policies for use of non-disposable materials, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, etc.?

Current status:
We have no policies governing the purchase or use of non-disposable materials or cleaning supplies. Although we use ceramic plates, glass and rigid plastic glasses and reusable flatware for church functions, our supply is inadequate. We use cloth dishtowels, placemats and tablecloths. We still have a supply of Styrofoam cups. We use paper towels both for convenience and because they're more sanitary. The new dishwasher is not working properly and must be run several times to clean each load of dishes adequately.

We contract with a weekly cleaning service to clean the bathrooms, sanctuary floor and windows. We provide the cleaning products. Our sexton cleans the rest of the church buildings. We have a wide assortment of cleaning products that have accumulated over the years. They have been purchased primarily on the basis of effectiveness and price. Although the city has an annual collection of household hazardous wastes, we have no process for reviewing and disposing of toxic substances.

Evaluation:
We need to develop policies regarding the purchase and use of non-disposable supplies, cleaning products and hazardous waste. We need a process for evaluating and recommending products for their earth friendliness. We would like to ban Styrofoam, in particular. Supplies of reusable kitchen items need to be augmented to meet demand. We need to resolve the dishwasher problem.

4. PURCHASING AND INVESTING
What existing church policies govern purchasing and investing decisions? Are your investments in keeping with your environmental and other social values?

Current status:
We have no policies related to our purchasing or investing decisions. We have tried to be good stewards of the church's money by purchasing the most cost-effective materials. Whenever possible, we purchase recycled paper which is more expensive than non-recycled products. Church funds are presently invested in CDs that have not been screened for environmental or social responsibility. Until recently, the church has had relatively little to invest. However, with recent increases in the Endowment Fund, there is a greater opportunity to have an impact with our investment choices.

Evaluation:
We need to develop and implement policies related to socially and environmentally responsible purchasing and investing. Programs on those topics must be offered to the congregation to raise our consciousness about these issues.

5. LANDSCAPING
Do you have landscaping policies that direct use of native species, landscape chemicals, etc.?

Current status:
We have a policy requiring the approval of the Landscape Committee to plant anything on church property. It does not require the use of native species. In accordance with LEED certification requirements, our plants are drought tolerant, native or “water-wise”, selected to survive, after established, on a once a week watering. We have a drip irrigation system for the shrubs, trees and plants.

We have no policy regarding dust control, green waste use or disposal, or the use of outdoor chemicals or equipment. Roundup and tree sprays have been used. Our storage shed contains assorted hazardous materials such as fungicides and petroleum-based products.

The city provides a receptacle for our green waste.

Our Home Gardening Group has offered classes on drought-tolerant ornamental grasses, favorite Fresno plants, habitat gardening and drip irrigation.

Evaluation:
We need to develop and implement policies related to plant selection, dust control, and the use of landscaping chemicals and equipment. We should continue offering programs related to environmentally friendly gardening and landscaping practices.

6. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
What current religious education programs relate to the environment for both children and adults? You'll want to look back over the past few years to see what has been used previously.

Current status:
Children: In previous years, environmental lessons were based on whichever books were being used at the time, instead of intentional planning to teach this topic. The theme of Summer Camp 2006 was “Out of the Stars”, which explored the origins of the universe and our species and celebrated the beauty of all existence. This year's YRE program is based on five units, or pillars, one of which is Environmental Justice. Therefore, about one fifth of classroom time was devoted to teaching about the environment.

Adult: Over the past three years, there have been special observances of Earth Day, an ongoing Hiking Group and eight First Friday programs that have dealt with environmental issues such as bio/ecological principles, conservation and sustainable living.

Evaluation:
We will continue our current level of environmental education for youth and increase and develop more programs for adults.

7. WORSHIP
How well does your worship integrate the wisdom of the Earth?

Current status:
The minister and the Sunday Services Committee consciously work together to maintain a balance among four themes, one of which is Social, Environmental and Political Justice.

During the past three years, there have been fourteen Sunday worship services that dealt with environmental themes. Topics include specific legislative and personal actions to promote “living green” by creating more sustainable communities and practicing voluntary simplicity. One service involved youth from other faith traditions who had worked with our UU youth on an Earth Day project.

On display in our sanctuary is a Tibetan thangka, or meditation tapestry, depicting the legend of two lovers threatened by melting glacial floodwaters resulting from global warming.

Evaluation:
We will consciously work together to maintain this balance.

8. SOCIAL ACTION
How is earth caring part of your overall social action program?

Current status:
Every issue of the church newsletter includes a short article entitled, “Be a Conscious Consumer”, which contains information about environmental issues. Information about social and environmental issues and events are provided every Sunday in our announcement sheet and at our Social Justice Table. The Social Justice Coordinating Committee (SJCC) has co-sponsored forums on water issues and global warming. It also supported the creation of a UU planning committee for Earth Day events and an interfaith forum on climate change. This group formed the basis of our Green Sanctuary Committee, which was also promoted by our 75 Alive group

Evaluation:
We will continue our current level of social and environmental activism.

9. OTHER ISSUES
What other environmental issues come up in discussion groups and adult education classes, in policy proposals for the congregation, and in the local community that might be the basis for a Green Sanctuary program or activity?

Current status:
Issues brought up by the congregation and at the Interfaith Forum on Climate Change include:

Cooperative purchasing of “green” products
Interfaith “green” website
Locally produced organic food
Vegetarianism
Plastic bags and bottled water
Hurried lifestyle – driving, working, eating
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard
Inadequate community compact fluorescent light (CFL) disposal
Personal carbon footprint questionnaire
Air quality
Water resources

Evaluation:
There is no lack of environmental issues and ideas within our congregation and community. The challenge lies in prioritizing them and channeling our energy into those that will have the most significant impact. We have tried to do just that in our action plan, by focusing on activities that will conserve the most energy and, hopefully, result in the collective and individual behavior of members of our congregation.