AMM is Carbon Neutral and Proud

Like so many others, we’ve had to get very ‘real’ about our priorities over the last year and a half. There’s been a lot going on -- from our country’s ongoing struggle for social and economic equality, to COVID-19, and the rush to vaccinate our population against further losses. All of these events have led us to reconsider and reinvest in what’s most important to us as individuals, and as an organization. 

 

One priority that remains strong for AMM is prioritizing carbon neutrality. 

 

We choose to be a carbon neutral office because we cherish our planet and want to honor the people that share it with us. We know that addressing climate change is more important than ever before, and that it’s more than just an environmental issue. Fighting climate change is about social justice, too! 

 

That’s why everyone at American Marriage Ministries is proud of our ongoing partnership with Carbonfund.org, which allows us to offset our carbon footprint while serving a nationwide network of wedding officiants.

 

 

Carbonfund.org supports the Lower Mississippi

Alluvial Valley Reforestation Initiative

 

 

Climate change is a social justice issue. 

 

Climate change doesn’t just impact the environment, it impacts people, too. And its effects aren’t felt by all populations equally -- it hits underprivileged populations first, and hardest.

 

In fact, the relationship between climate change and social inequality is a cycle: When economies prioritize cheap and ready labor and cheap and ready materials, it perpetuates racist and environmentally damaging attitudes and policies. This leads to further increases in climate change, and further social inequality.

 

That’s why some people use the term ‘climate justice’ when addressing all of these impacts (environmental, economic, and social) in a holistic way -- because climate justice is also social justice!

 

 

Image via Carbonfund.org

 

 

Leaving the world a better place than we found it.

 

We’re committed to equality on all accounts, and we know that future generations won’t benefit from our generations’ efforts if they’re unable to breathe the air, drink the water, or harvest from the soil. As an organization that’s committed to marriage equality, and leaving the world a better place than we found it, offsetting our carbon footprint is essential. 

 

When we spoke with Linda Kelly, Vice President of Partnerships, last year, she told us that, “The team at Carbonfund.org continues to be so appreciative of organizations like American Marriage Ministries that have remained committed to maintaining carbon neutral operations as a priority, even during these challenging times. Environmental preservation is part of social and economic justice for all of us, and we encourage other organizations to follow the leadership shown by American Marriage Ministries and all of our business partners.” 

 

We’re grateful that we’ve been able to continue our partnership, too, as we head into a new year of weddings and opportunities. 

 

We’re inspired when we see the ways that meaningful events like weddings connect us to the world and people around us. Those connections are so valuable, especially now. Wedding ceremonies give our couples a chance to share their love and values with their communities, and we’re glad that preserving the planet for future generations can be a part of that story.

 

 

 

Image via Carbonfund.org

 

 

AMM also supports Ocean Conservancy, and has donated to American Civil Liberties Union, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, Direct Relief, the Wildlife Conservation Network, and other organizations. You can find out more about our charitable activities here. 

More about Carbonfund.org: In addition to helping individuals and organizations offset their carbon footprint through charitable donations and reduced emissions, Carbonfund.org also provides climate change education and public outreach, supports global energy efficiency and reforestation projects, and owns and manages Camp Quinebarge, an educational children’s summer camp in New Hampshire.

 

If you’d like to read more on the topic of climate justice, check out: 
Racism, Police Violence, and the Climate Are Not Separate Issues, by By Bill McKibben for The New Yorker, and Racial Justice Is Climate Justice: Why The Climate Movement Needs To Be Anti-Racist by Frederick Hewitt for WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station. 

 

---

 

You might also like: 

 

• Attn Couples: Have You Considered an Eco-Friendly Wedding?

 

• ELOPE: An illustrated guide to an eco-friendly & empowered alternative wedding (PART 1)

 

---