Stained glassGiving up chocolate, TV watching, eating meat, and other vices for Lent is so last century. In 2010, some Christian leaders are urging the faithful to cut their carbon emissions as an act of penance. Not sure where to begin? Washington Interfaith Power & Light, a project of Earth Ministry, created this handy calendar that provides carbon-saving actions for each of the 40 days of Lent.

Suggested steps include setting a timer to see how long you’re luxuriating in the shower and then aiming for five minutes or less; turning your water heater down to 120 degrees; observing the speed limit to save fuel; and writing or calling an elected official in support of climate legislation. And under this program, you can have your chocolate and be observant too: the Lent calendar allows for an indulgence in a Theo Chocolate bar, seeing as it’s a local (Seattle-based), organic chocolate maker.

Lent starts Wednesday.

Stained glass photo courtesy of Flickr user Lawrence OP under a Creative Commons license.