Solar Roof Brings Vatican Closer to Becoming World's First Carbon-Neutral State
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 10. 4.08
The world's smallest state aims to become the first net zero emitter. (photo via Wikipedia)
This week, the Vatican did its part to make the move to renewable energy, as workers began installing the first of 2,400 solar panels on the roof of the papal audience hall in Vatican City. The Vatican's new solar roof, reportedly worth nearly $1.5 million, should need only minimal maintenance for the next 25 years.
Last year, the Vatican announced its intention to become the world's first carbon-neutral state. "Those who destroy the environment are also big sinners", says Italian Cardinal Deacon Renato Raffaele Martino. "It's a big insult to God."
A Green Pope?
Benedict XVI has proven to be a surprisingly environmentally-aware Pontiff, calling for action against climate change and even suggesting that polluting be considered a major sin. A year ago, the Vatican announced the creation of the "Vatican Climate Forest," a carbon-offset project in Hungary which would purportedly absorb as much carbon dioxide as the Vatican emits.
Green-Collar Business Lends a Hand
Both the solar panels and the carbon-offset forest are the result of partnerships between the Vatican and green businesses, and both were given to the Vatican as donations. The solar panels were donated by a German company called SolarWorld.
According to MSNBC, SolarWorld's CEO decided to give the photovoltaic cells as a gift to the German-born Pope Benedict. The Hungarian forest was the first project of Klimafa, whose parent company is Planktos International.
Via:: msnbc, iht, autobloggreen, therawstory
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It's marvellous to see eco enlightenment walking hand-in-hand with spiritual enlightenment.
This is VERY nice. The catholic church still holds a lot of sway in much of the world. Good to see they're using it well.
It would be even better if they encouraged their members to practice family planning and use contraception?
That`s fine ! the church shows a opinion
Reassuring to find treehuggers are as gullible as ever. Anybody who thinks the Vatican can be carbon neutral has forgotten the real footprint of the Pope.
It makes sense that if you are religious and Earth was created by your God(s) you should make all efforts to preserve it.
In Christian Mythology wasn't Eden a place of harmony with nature?
I'm puzzled because where I live most Christians claim the Bible says God gave us beats and nature so that we can use them...
All allies are welcome!
how many carbon credits does the vatican need to offset the pollution from all the heretics they've burned?
Sweet. Make polluting a sin so everyone can do it anyway and just apologize later.
EcoFemme -- The Catholic church does promote family planning. It's called NFP, or Natural Family Planning. It uses your body's natural cues to show signs of fertility.
All it takes is a thermometer and a sheet of paper to track your pattern. It's much more green than putting hormones into your body or using non-biodegradable latex methods.
It's proven to be just as effective as artificial means.
It's really great. Check it out.
Chele: "Just as effective as artifical means", I think not. Wikipedia disagrees, with references given. 25% failure rate with "typical" use is not brilliant, although even condoms have a 15% failure rate with "typical" use. Still a substantial difference.
I'll grant your point that it's greener than using disposable barriers like condoms, but apart from that attempts to post-facto rationalise things you do for completely irrational reasons (i.e. because an old man who's never done it himself tells you to...) rather annoy me. I had a strongly religious housemate once who did that.
Also the use of "green" for health-related matters annoys me, much like the "green our vaccines" campaign trying to use "green" to mean "healthy and safe"... although of course, the real problem with that campaign was that their claims of vaccines being dangerous were completely false and fabricated.
Just look at the hard facts at hand:
A large solar array is being installed somewhere.
Isn't that cause for optimism no matter if it's the Pope or Kim Jung Il that is installing it?
This struggle we're in for the environment should overcome these petty prejudices...
Julius -- thanks for your comment.
I'm sorry to hear your housemate. Sometimes the prayer becomes, "God, save me from your followers!"
The term "green" makes me wince too, but it was the easiest word to use to get my meaning across. I agree, it needs to be put away for a looong time!
If you follow the FA link off the page you sent, it goes here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_awareness#As_birth_control "When used correctly and consistently with ongoing coaching, some studies have shown some forms of FA to be 99% effective,[40][41][36][42] the same as oral contraceptives.[43]"
As for the "old man who's never done it" he didn't make the rules -- he's just here to enforce them. ;)
Take care and have a good evening!