Has the problem of global warming been solved by the faltering economy? It certainly appears that way, if news headlines are our guide. Last year the news was mainly about consumption at unsustainable levels and shortages and record prices for raw materials and headlines such as ''2007 second warmest year on record''.

Suddenly, since about the middle of last year, ''global economic meltdown'' has replaced ''global warming'' in the news. Oil prices have collapsed, car sales have fallen sharply and people's personal consumption, of necessity, has been cut drastically. Without having to do anything, the problem of global warming had simply disappeared!

Actually, of course, global warming has not gone away. The impact of the recession on global warming will not be very significant. A 1% change in GDP brings a 0.9% change in carbon pollution. This means that a 2.5% decline in worldwide GDP for 2009 projected by the IMF will only reduce emissions by about 2.5%.

In a homily at Mass on Ash Wednesday in UCD last week, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, repudiated the argument that ''a little bit of recession is good for the soul''.

Dr Martin pointed out that social inequality in Ireland will be maintained, and perhaps intensified, in the present recession. While those who did well in prosperous times would continue to live reasonably well, the poor will become poorer and the vulnerable will be in a more precarious position, he said. Stated in this way, it is painfully clear that recession of itself will do little to address the social, spiritual and environmental challenges we face.

Global warming and social inequality may be off the agenda at the moment, but there are still ''hard choices'' that must be made if not to cause even greater problems down the tracks. In recent weeks the now grossly overused phrase, ''hard choices'' has become a feature on news broadcasts.

The phrase is often used in relation to the Government having to make hard choices on the economy, on public pay, on taxes and public finances.

What is generally being signalled is that the Government needs to challenge a vested interest, whether it is the higher paid, public sector worker unions, employers groups or another grouping. It appears that hard choices are exclusively to be made in order to re-establish economic growth.

At this time, it is either foolhardy or prescient that 14 Catholic organisations in Ireland would come together to develop a network called Livesimply, asking people to make real and personal ''hard choices'' about their lifestyle. Livesimply works with religious leaders to help them communicate the need to respect the environment. It asks people to live simply so that others, especially those in developing countries where livelihoods depend directly on the environment, can simply live.

Some of the early reaction to Livesimply, though thankfully not a common response, is from people questioning how the network can possibly ask people to live more simply at this moment when many people already have fewer spending and lifestyle choices. We asked ourselves the same type of questions - are Irish people ready to hear a message that calls for further hard choices on consumption and how it relates to the environment when many are facing unemployment and job insecurity?

We have concluded that Livesimply is a little more radical, and indeed more counter cultural, than this type of analysis. Livesimply is a challenge to reflect and take action in order to work for justice and to be happier in ourselves as a result. It's about seeking what we need rather than grasping for more, sharing not hoarding. The idea that God calls us to live simply is in direct contrast to what Western society demands of us - to earn more and more in order to consume on an ever grander scale.

Perhaps there is no good time to try and communicate such a message. But in recession or boom, the telling of the timeless message of Live simply is never more important than now, in this very moment.

Here are some suggestions to live simply during Lent:

• Get outside: Go out when it's raining! Walk on the beach. Hike through the woods. Play sports, or walk barefoot through grass. Pay closer attention to nature.
• Savour food: Feel the texture, the bursts of flavours. Savour every bite.
• Limit your buying habits: If you are a slave to materialism and consumerism, there are ways to escape it. Get into the habit of buying less.
• Rediscover what's important: Take an hour during Lent to make a list of everything that's important to you.
• Eliminate everything else: Where you can, simplify your life by eliminating things that are not on your short list.
• Volunteer: Help the sick, those with disabilities, those who are dying.
• Talk to old people: There is no one wiser, more experienced, more learned, than those who have lived through life.
• Find spirituality.

And some simple practical environmental things that require a small change....

• Change your conventional light bulbs for energy saving light bulbs.
• Buy Fairtrade goods or locally produced fresh goods as much as possible.
• If you can manage it, just have one car. Consider biking to work or using the bus or carpooling if this is possible.
• Travel less by plane.
• Get your community to do an energy audit of your community, how can your church and community buildings be more energy efficient?

Emmet Bergin is the Advocacy Officer with Progressio Ireland. Livesimply is a network of 14 Catholic organisations and religious orders that seeks to encourage clergy, religious and the young to take the message of sustainability as an active part of their faith. For more details about Live simply, contact emmet@ progressioireland.com or ring 01-6144966.