The Sylvania Baha'i Community

An Interfaith Exploration of Sustainable Lifestyles

  Saturday, June 6, the ScienceAlliance for Valuing the Environment – SAVE sponsored An Interfaith exploration of Sustainable Lifestyles program at the Sylvania (Ohio) United Church of Christ.  This program was the result of SAVE’s commitment to an Interfaith approach to local sustainability issues affecting our communities.  The program’s content involved not only the why’s of specific and sustainable actions but also the how’s.  Members of the Hindu Temple of Toledo (Ohio), Lourdes University, Sisters of St. Frances, Sylvania (Ohio) Baha’i Community, and Sylvania United Church of Christ brought together diverse presenters with expertise in local sustainable small-scale agriculture, sustainable landscaping for residential areas, and small-scale alternative energy systems for residential applications.  An Interfaith Exploration of Sustainable Lifestyles had an attendance of about 50 local people. Some attendees stated individual interest in similar future programs and events.

Mr. Joe Perlaky, consultant for the Maumee Valley Growers Association, gave the keynote address – “What is Sustainability”.  Joe gave examples of European and local initiatives involving local and urban agricultural programs founded on sustainable systems.  Maumee Valley Growers Association represents a diverse group of growers concerned with local agricultural challenges, food quality, and distribution.  The newest project involves an expanded hydroponic growing system meant to grow select crops during the winter months.  Perlaky also reported on the area’s successful alternative energy installations as well as the related jobs created.  The best example, he said, was the recently completed Photovoltaic (Pv) panel installation at The Toledo Museum of Art.  Multiple Pv panels are installed on the top of the museum car ports and provides electrical energy to the facility.

Dr. Al Compaan, retired Professor of Engineering at The University of Toledo, presented on his

   successes retrofitting his home with Pv panels.  Not only does his residence use the electric power generated, it also charges his electric pick-up truck.  Compaan spoke to the history and direct benefits of the United States using public funds to develop the nation’s physical infrastructure such as the canals, railroads, the Interstate Highway System, and the national Fiber-Optic grid.  Al discussed the various national and state-wide initiatives involved with converting to alternative energy.  A world-wide manufacturer of Pv panels, First Solar in Toledo, is targeting a future cost of $ 0.07 (USD) per Kw and expects to see this soon.

“Raise Chickens!” was the advice offered by Mr. Bryan Ellis, the presenter of Local and Sustainable Urban Agriculture.  Bryan, whose background includes extensive experience in construction, talked about his Urban-Ag projects involving his “appropriate technology” designs and systems.  Ellis talked about his experiences building an expansive Hydroponic growing system installed in the Downtown Toledo Ohio area.  Using low-tech tools, equipment, and gardening methods, food surpluses could be easily achieved and the produced either shared or sold to community members.

  The City of Toledo is actively promoting sustainable practices to its citizens; especially after last    summer’s Lake Erie water crisis affecting some 400,000 area citizens.  A large algae bloom   happening in the Western Basin of Lake Erie made the water toxic – much of the blame going to area farmers and their unsustainable crop treatment.  Ms. Beatrice Miringu, Senior Environmental Specialist City of Toledo, presented on various methods homeowners can employ to reduce the strain on the environment.  Beatrice shared information on the benefits of using native plant species to control rain water runoff.  Miringu also introduced Rain Gardens to the participants and their successful installations around the city.

PowerPoints from the presenters can be downloaded and viewed by going to the SAVE Google Sites webpage.

SAVE, founded by the Sisters of St. Francis and a part of Lourdes University, is celebrating its 25^th year of providing environmental education, scholarships, and recognition of environmental

educators in the Northwest Ohio Area.  Recently, SAVE’s Advisory Board authorized the establishment of the SAVE Interfaith Collaborative.  The group’s sub-committee serves as a focal point for the area’s diverse communities of faith and issues involving community sustainability.  Members of the Hindu Temple of Toledo, Sylvania United Church of Christ, Sisters of St. Francis, and the Sylvania Baha’i Community have join in this endeavor for the common good.  SAVE Interfaith Collaborative works to achieve greater community sustainable working models through individual behavioral changes founded in our core diverse spiritual teachings.