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Vine And Fig Tree
Philadelphia Intentional Community
Tips page
This is a page to explain some way we try to help our community and world. These tips range from practicing economic equality to enviromental to just saving money. All these are things we, as a community, try to practice daily.
1. All resources come from the earth:
Everything that we use comes ultimately from the earth, so if you truly are dedicated to saving our enviroment, it means you should keep this in mind at all times. By using, we're taking from the earth, so this is where you start. Be mindful. Do I need this? Can I get this used? Be aware of what you're using at all times, and from there you can cut back and use less.
2. Reuse plastic container:
Instead of recycling plastic food containers and then buying other plastic containers to start your seeds in, save the former and use as the latter! Clean out the food container, poke drainage holes in the bottom, then fill with potting soil and start your plants in it.
3. Put your money where your mouth is:
You can bank at a credit union rather than a regular profit-oriented bank. This supports a more local and just economy while also taking your money away from banks that might have immoral values.
4. Buy local food from local businesses:
Buy from the famers market, co-op, local farm, or other close local source. This normally will be more organic with less chemicals in the produce. This also cuts down on the wasteful packaging (packaging accounts for 1/4 of all trash), fossil fuels used to ship, and injustice in farming. Not only for the food, but also shop at family-owned local businesses -- local bakeries, local pizza shops, local laundry mats, local construction companies. These are more likely to be fair while building a strong local community.
5. Buy used stuff:
Things are still good after other people have no use for them. Clothes, appliances, books, equipment -- all of these can be purchased from the local thrift store, craigslist, yard sales, or ebay. These are all ways to support sustainablility and use less resources.
6. Who needs screens?
Screens )computer, TV, Iphones, etc.) help communication, connecting, and education. They're in everyday life (I bet you looking at one right), but they also distract us from really being present and living. This is especially true when they are becoming our entertainment and our whole social life. In addition, the techonology uses resources, money, and energy. So try to get away from your screen to be with families, friends, and the earth.
7. Sabbath:
The ancient biblical vision of Sabbath, the idea of balancing with rest, challenges the hyper-productivity of our capitalist economy which runs on growth at all costs; it is both psychologically and spiritually healthy for the person, and an important act of caretaking for the earth.
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