The Sabbath: Earth Day Every Week

We celebrated Earth Day this year by resting from driving, and making plans for our new edible gardens that will help alleviate some of the food insecurity in the North Hollywood area. A perpetual food desert, the terrain is mostly asphalt and concrete with Sour Soil throughout the neighborhood of Palmershire Park.

The Earth needs a rest - from us. In the Genesis account of creation, God rested on the seventh day and humans were asked to do the same in perpetuity. It's good for the soul, the planet and the community. Asking people to participate in a 2600 year old tradition is hard. It is still worth asking.

So this week, would you consider helping the planet by doing - nothing?

The Green Sabbath Project founded in 2019 by Jonathan Schorsch proposes just that. As a member of the clergy and as the founder of Ana-Genesis, I agree wholeheartedly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had a glimpse of what that would look like, according to a United Nations report on the impact of ceasing work:

"The COVID-19 crisis offers only a short-term reduction in global emissions."

Although, such as short period of rest cannot reduce emissions by 2030, the same report shares that to positively impact the 2030 goals of the Paris Agreement "countries (must) pursue an economic recovery that incorporates strong decarbonization." One way to achieve that is to simply stop. Stop driving. Stop shopping. Stop Working. Turn off all mobile devices. If everyone were to observe the Sabbath once per week, the same decrease in emissions would occur but on a sustained basis.

When I returned to taking Sabbath rest on Mondays (as a Minister, I drive to church and "work" on Sunday) it was hard to resist the temptation to get errands done, shop online and stop all work. Explaining to people that I don't answer my work phone or emails on Mondays was hard sometimes but eventually, those around me came to respect my need for peace and rest. In our consumer culture, with everything we want to buy just one click away, not shopping was also hard. It was a fast way to check an errand off my list. I learned to incorporate many stops into one travel trip to save gas (and money!) as a student at college. I returned to that model, stopping on the way home at the grocery store (reusable bags in hand) and that curbs the habit, and saves money as I cash in on locally available deals.

Resting is often viewed as laziness. In Asian culture, it is often said that, "necessary rest is called relaxation, anything beyond absolute necessity is laziness." A new mentality is needed where rest is not just a biological necessity, but a joy. Time with family and friends, walking in the park, or relaxing with a good book. Do whatever brings you joy.

In short, take a break. Your body and the planet will thank you.