Manchester Quakers reduce pollution

12th December 2001
Known by most people as Quakers, the Religious Society of Friends are showing their commitment to the environment by changing their electricity supply to Ecotricity, the UK's first and leading provider of 'green' electricity.

The Quakers believe that as stewards of the earth, we should take care of its resources for future generations. This latest step is the result of their concerns for the world's dwindling energy resources and the threat of climate change. As long ago as the 18th century, one of the most famous American Quakers, John Woolman, summed this up by saying,

"The produce of the earth is a gift from our gracious creator to the inhabitants, and to impoverish the earth to support outward greatness appears to be an injury to the succeeding age."

Ecotricity is devoted to supplying electricity from sources that are less polluting and more sustainable than conventional electricity. Based in Stroud, Ecotricity supplies many leading ethical organisations, including The Body Shop, The Co-operative Bank and EMI and will be launching its domestic service early in 2002.

By powering their Manchester Meeting Houses with Ecotricity, the Quakers are reducing their CO2 emissions by as much as 24 tonnes every year. The Friends are encouraged to use bicycles and public transport in order to cut down their private car usage for the sake of the environment. The Society supports ethical investments and conscientious use of resources.

Richard Summers, Warden of the Manchester Meeting House, says,

"Because of our concerns for the environment we are developing and environmental policy for our Monthly Meetings and switching to Ecotricity is one contribution towards this."