Unity EarthCare Tip of the Month of January

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For 2026, all twelve months of tips will follow a common theme: 12 Powers for our Planet, based on the national Unity EarthCare program. The Unity 12 Powers will also be explored yearlong at USCW through our Fourth Sunday themed services.

We begin with the power of Faith.

Power 1 – Faith 

• The Unity spiritual power of Faith empowers us to stand firm in our spiritual conviction and maintain belief in the possibility of good to come through all circumstances. 

• Spiritual Faith is not blind but rather is informed by our direct experiences of spiritual truth. We can exercise faith in knowing that nature is resilient and can heal in magnificent ways. 

• We can exercise faith in holding space for humanity to evolve a healthier, more loving relationship with the Earth and all the creatures who live upon it. 

• This month, we focus on the spiritual Power of Faith and how it relates to and is enhanced by nature and EarthCare. 

Conviction of what is yet to be seen is a principle of the Universe.  We live and move and have our being in the Living God and it is designed as a principle of conviction in what is yet to be seen–it cannot keep creating what is yet to be seen.  And neither can we!  Together in our study of faith, we are realizing the power to create yet unseen solutions to today’s challenges in co-creating a sustainable way of living on our beloved planet Earth.

Unity EarthCare Tip of the Month of September

Be aware of vampire electricity

“Vampire electricity” refers to electricity that certain appliances and devices use, even when turned off.

➢Yes, even when something is turned “off,” it’s not completely off. There is still electricity consumed by electronic devices and appliances when they are turned off but remain plugged into an outlet, or when they are in standby mode.

• This wasted energy can significantly increase energy bills and contribute to

  energy waste, with some estimates suggesting it accounts for 5-10% or

  more of a household's total energy consumption.

• You may also hear of “vampire energy” referred to as “phantom

  load” or “standby power.”

  Why does vampire electricity occur?

• Many devices are designed to be "ready" to power on quickly, even when

  they appear to be off, a state that still consumes energy.

• Features like standby lights, LED indicators, or built-in clocks require a continuous power supply.

• Appliances with remote controls need to stay powered to receive signals from the remote.

The most common household electronic devices and appliances that draw electricity even when in an “off” position include:

• Televisions and Cable/Satellite Boxes

• Computers, monitors, printers and scanners

Kitchen appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, toaster ovens, etc.

What can you do?

• Consider unplugging specific appliances when not in use or you will be away from home for a few days.

• Combine computer accessories into a power strip (preferably a surge protector).

• Look into “smart plugs.”

Unity EarthCare Tip of the Month of August

August 2025

Optimize your house for efficient air conditioning.

It’s still summer and we need to cool down!

The prior month (July, 2025) Tip of the Month suggested making your home air conditioning more efficient by using fans to help circulate the cold air. That actually allows you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature to help save some energy even while using your air conditioner. 

Here are some other small pieces of advice to further help staying cool while minimizing your use of electrical energy:

Clear the area around the cooling vents (not applicable if you have window or wall-mounted AC units).

• Check each floor vent to make sure it’s open and also not obstructed. Check to make sure that furniture, rugs, chair mats, pet beds and anything else are not blocking the vent.

• If your cooling vents are on the wall above the floor, prudent placement of furniture is even more vital.

• Be sure each vent in rooms you use is open. Close the vents in any unused rooms.

Use window coverings to keep out heat.

• Windows that allow full sunshine in are wonderful but they also make the interior temperature warm up. Consider drawing close any vertical or horizontal blinds, shades, curtains and other window coverings. 

• You may wish to invest in plastic sun shields for the windows as well as black-out drapes.

• Another alternative is growing shrubbery or trees outside that will in time help block the direct sunlight.

Make sure your windows are air-tight

• Just as you may insulate windows during winter to keep out the cold, you may likewise insulate during the summer keep out the excess heat.

• Caulk, tape or use plastic to cover any cracks or small openings.