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Emo Bear

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Convert all church parking lots into community gardens (and later all churches into community gardens + food education centres + seed vault)

 
 
First of all, look at ALL these churches in just one area: http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=churches%2C+new+york

Now do a search on your own town/city.

No matter where you live, there are always a handful of churches within walking/biking distance. Why not think green, walk / bike to church and convert the unused parking lots into community gardens so that non-church-goers benefit as well? That would be a good first step.

And wouldn't it be more intimate if church groups gathered at each others' homes taking turns to host rather than going to a mega church where you don't have time to greet everyone? So hopefully in the future we will see more church goers gather in smaller groups instead and then churches can be converted to community gardens / hydroponic vertical farms / honey bee farms / seed vaults / food learning centres (for kids) benefiting everyone in the community, regardless of age/race/gender/faith/income. That would be a great next step.

If christians / churches can take the lead and do this for their communities, then we may see temples / monastery / mosques doing the same as well.

Take a look at the map again. I believe one day WE CAN grow sooooo much food for everyone and solve our food crisis.

Let's take care of each other!
 

Related Talks:
Topics: Hydroponics christians church urban agriculture urban farming vertical farming
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    Tambra Tice

    • +1
    Nov 30 2011: This is, in my opinion, a terrible idea Emo...While I DO agree that there is a problem with hunger in the world, it is NOT for a lack of food, it is for a lack of proper distribution of the food that exists! And even if there WERE a food shortage, there is absolutely NO need to destroy churches for a place to grow it; ;just look around! There are MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of acres of land on which to grow crops, if anyone were so inclined. Secondly, the value of churches in a community are immense, as Project Mama pointed out; they are NOT simply a place to congregate and worship God (although in my opinion, that is reason enough to leave them be). I think it's sad that so many people want to 'get rid of God' (or anything that He represents), and I also think that it will be those very same people who will be begging for His forgiveness when the book of Revelations comes to pass!
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      Emo Bear 30+

      • +2
      Dec 1 2011:  
       
      Never said I wanted to get rid of god. Please read my original post again. I suggested worshipers gather in smaller groups; more intimate that way.

      Never said I wanted to destroy churches. Lots of people are leaving the church by themselves anyways and a handful of churches are going bankrupt or being abandoned. I had merely suggested a logical solution. Think of it as a transitional state for communities.

      I drive past 1 large church and 2 smaller churches to work everyday. All 3 parking lots are almost always empty. Those church parking lots might get filled a few afternoons and evenings a week, but many hours of the week, it is unused. And the people who drive there live so close by that they might as well walk or bike. And I wasn't even thinking environmentally at first, more about efficiency and how that space could be used to benefit everyone.

      Yes, there is a lack of proper distribution of food. But if we can grow a ton more food in community hotspots then imbalanced distribution of food will not even be a problem.
       
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      Tom Marcinonis

      • +1
      Dec 14 2011: Good call Tambra. It is true - distribution is the problem. However, in light of the fact that religion is far and away one of the most caustic memes in society today, we have to find something useful for church parking lots and buildings. I don't have any problem with doing this for any abandoned building and for that matter why not put gardens on roof tops and in backyards? But Instead of "preaching" peace once a week how about practicing it and being part of the solution. More action and less talking.
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      Emil Stolarsky 500+

      • 0
      TEDx Organizer
      Dec 25 2011: I think you're misunderstanding the point of gardening. Don't look at it as a way of increasing food in the world, but a way of educating people. People look up to religions for guidance and leadership. Why not start smart food planning with them? It doesn't just have to be religions; go to businesses and other places as well.

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