With the second week of Lent coming to an end, there's one thing Christians are giving up this year that's a bit different from typical comforts like chocolate, alcohol or meat.
Instead, in a move that just might benefit the earth as well as their health, thousands of Christians are giving up carbon this year, according to TreeHugger.
Dubbed "Carbon Fast," the idea began with a small following started back in 2007 by James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool.
Now a full blown movement operating under the non-profit Christian aid organization TearFund, it has spread to communities in the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, India, Hong Kong, Australia, and Brazil, American Progress reports.
Of course, completely giving carbon up might be impossible, so for many the next best step is to reduce their consumption of heat, water, food miles and travel over the 40 day period.
As they work to reduce their carbon usage in a variety of creative ways, participants have turned to social media sites to share ideas and inspiration. Updates on Twitter, Facebook and even subscriptions to daily emails have all become important communication avenues for the movement.
Other Christian denominations have also picked up on this by issuing calendars with tips on reducing carbon over Lent.