As the impacts of climate change become more frequent and increasingly severe, they are creating crises for people and nature around the world. On Green Sunday, Vahefonua Tonga O Aotearoa encouraged our people to help to reduce these crises.

In a presentation to Vaine Mo’onia Tongan Methodist Congregation, parishioners were urged ‘To Stop Using Plastic at Home and at Church’. Much plastic waste ends up being dumped into the oceans, and also pollutes lakes, and rivers. Almost all plastics are made from chemicals that came from the production of planet-warming fuels (gas, oil, and coal). These cause health issues, threaten wildlife, and spread toxins. (https//www.learnz.org.nz plastic).

Members were also asked to reduce use of plastic at the annual Offering and 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the congregation. For the feast afterwards, they were encouraged to use metal, stainless steel, or wooden cutlery and glasses instead of disposable plastic. This was seen as a practical way of supporting the MCNZ 2024 theme of ‘Zero Waste’.