Protecting the Biosphere 1989 General Resolution

Guided by our respect for the sanctity of all life and for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part;

Recognizing the stress placed upon the biosphere through excessive demands upon resources, and mismanagement of those resources for industrial, commercial, and personal objectives; and

Acknowledging that we are responsible for the survival of life on our planet; and

WHEREAS industrialized countries consume a disproportionate share of the earth's finite resources and generate a disproportionate quantity of waste and pollution;

WHEREAS the disposal of environmentally dangerous wastes in the form of plastics, chemicals, metals, and synthetic and radioactive materials has proven to contaminate our air, water, and land with carcinogens and toxins;

WHEREAS we are increasingly polluting our environment by human-error;

WHEREAS acid rain has damaged and destroyed forests and lakes throughout the northern latitudes; and destruction of tropical rain forests by corporations, governments, and internationally-sponsored projects is resulting in one-third of the annual increase in global carbon dioxide levels, which have been rising since the late 19th century, threatening life on earth with an unprecedented warming trend; and

WHEREAS the polar ozone layers have decreased significantly in the past decade, threatening life on earth with an increased level of ultraviolet radiation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association calls upon its congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists to examine their attitudes and to practice responsibility as consumers, affirming the need to support and participate in community conservation and recycling programs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalists inform and petition their legislators to enact legislation:

  1. Encouraging safe waste management and the conservation and recycling of natural resources;
  2. Advocating environmentally sound controls and practices in the manufacture, use, and disposal of environmentally dangerous materials;
  3. Promoting international action against polluted air masses and water flow across political boundaries;
  4. Developing efficient means to prevent, where possible, and to respond swiftly and effectively to environmentally threatening accidents; and
  5. Rejecting environmentally damaging aid and development projects, such as those causing the destruction of tropical rain forests;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalist congregations and their members inform themselves of the global issues of environment and quality of life as addressed in the United Nations Brundtland report, "Our Common Future"; discontinue or strictly limit the use of environmentally destructive products, and coordinate efforts with those of environmental groups everywhere; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalists support international efforts to heal the harmful effects of human activities on the biosphere.