The weeks just before Easter are known as Lent. It’s a time when many Christians fast or give up luxuries. Now, some churches and faith groups are encouraging Christians to reduce activities that contribute to global warming.

Leah Wiste is director of outreach and advocacy at an organization called Michigan Interfaith Power and Light.

Wiste: “Lent is a state of preparing for rebirth … And so we focus on transformation.”

In that spirit, her group helps Christians use this time to develop more environmentally friendly habits.

Wiste: “We propose a Lenten Carbon Fast. We’ve created a calendar that suggests one activity each day that folks can do in order to reduce their ecological footprint.”

It includes actions such as switching to energy-efficient L.E.D. light bulbs, eating food that is not trucked long distances, turning the temperature down on water heaters, and hanging clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer.

Wiste: “The hope is that this several week exercise won’t just end at Easter but that these actions actually seed a more fundamental transformation that people can then continue.”

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media.