3 Ways to Keep Your Winter Green
Often when we think about conserving energy on heating costs for the winter, we think about how much money we can save. That makes sense; on some of the colder days, we might use up to 7 gallons of oil per day or 30,000 kWh of electricity per season. It can all add up to a lot of money over the course of a year. Perhaps enough for a small vacation!
It’s also good to be conscious of the toll our energy use takes on the environment. The Divine Principle reminds us that when God gave humanity dominion over creation, that means we are supposed to love creation and live in harmony with it.
Mother Moon said:
“Two people can exercise greater power than one. The same applies with three, four and more… If the 194 countries of the world move together with one heart and vision, all the problems that human beings are agonizing over can be resolved. We are facing a lot of dangers as a result of environmental problems. The disorderliness of humanity is destroying the natural environment, which is a source of joy to us. If we work together with one vision, we can solve these problems.”
If we all take a few simple steps, we can work toward conserving energy and reducing our negative impact on the environment. In lieu of some more major changes you can make to your home like sealing windows, having your heating system cleaned and maintained, or even just keeping the thermostat down, here are some natural ways to keep your home warm, cozy and environmentally friendly this winter season.
Use the sun
If you have any south facing windows (and live in the Northern Hemisphere), open up the curtains and let that sunshine pour in. The natural energy of the sun can generate a lot of heat in your home. Spend the daytime hours in that room and enjoy the natural heater God provided us.
Bring in the greenery
Another way to help insulate your home during the winter is by keeping it humid. Humidity naturally makes us feel a little warmer. Plants humidify the air and remove impurities in it. It’s God’s way of making sure we breathe fresh air each and every day and stay healthy. (Bonus tip: grow plants that produce food! Save a little on groceries and enjoy the freshest produce in town!)
Get cozy
It’s nice to walk around your house in shorts and a t-shirt but that requires cranking up the heat during winter! Your body is already emitting huge amounts of heat (our internal temperature averages around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit!), so save it: put on a sweater and wear some warm socks. Even better, snuggle up on the couch under a blanket with your loved ones.
Okay, so we’re not suggesting you switch off your boiler and turn your thermostat to zero, just thought we’d spark that creativity in you to find some of God’s wonderful, natural gifts to keep warm this winter. In your own little way, you’ll be doing your part to conserve energy and take care of our Heavenly Parent’s wonderful gift: this Earth.