The nuns of St Mary’s Abbey in Glankern in southeast Ireland have converted a 17th-century monastery to a renewable energy haven. Now, for heating and cooking, members of the religious order use biofuels and solar power, Reuters informed.
The nuns have introduced sustainable agriculture into the life of the renewable energy haven: they grow apples, wheat and vegetables in 80 hectares of fields and greenhouses, they also have cattle.
In addition, 10 hectares of land are devoted to miscanthus and elephant grass, replacing oil products as the main heat source.
Solar panels were installed on the monastery’s roof to heat water, and the insulation of the walls of the ancient building was improved.
Reeds were planted in the area to treat wastewater. According to one of the 29 women living in the monastery, the community wants to set an example for others.
In August in Britain, the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops devoted a meeting to environmental issues. The audience prayed for the state of the planet, discussed relevant topics and planted trees.