Unitarian Universalist Policy

Fossil Fuels in General

Safer Sources of Energy
1992 General Resolution

...WHEREAS the quality of the environment is deteriorating; and

WHEREAS the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributing factor in this deterioration; and

WHEREAS fossil fuels are non-renewable resources; and

WHEREAS the true economic costs of processing and disposing of fossil fuels and their byproducts are not accounted for;

WHEREAS it is now possible to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by replacing them with less polluting, ecologically safer means of energy conversion; ...

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association advocate research and development for conversion from fossil fuels to environmentally sounder, cleaner sources of energy, such as solar, geothermal, wind, tidal, and other safer sources of power, and that member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists be urged to join this action;...

Energy
1977 General Resolution

...WHEREAS, the availability of adequate supplies of energy at a reasonable cost is essential to the welfare and future of all peoples of the world, both in developed and undeveloped countries; and
WHEREAS, current energy production is dependent upon finite resources; and

WHEREAS, unlimited growth is leading to the depletion of all natural resources, including possible sources of energy, at an unprecedented rate, the projected consequences of which will be disastrous for the world society; and

WHEREAS, all conventional processes of energy production and consumption have some environmental effects; and

WHEREAS, at present and projected use rates world supplies of petroleum and natural gas will be virtually depleted within 50 years; ...

Clean Up the Clean Energy Bill
2010 Action of Immediate Witness
...WHEREAS the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico illustrates the tragic cost of fossil fuel energy, the recklessness of corporations that allow the public to bear their risk,...

Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change
2006 Statement of Conscience
... global warming/climate change caused primarily by the human use of oil, coal, and natural gas. The burning of these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps more heat from the sun...

Ethical Eating: Food & Environmental Justice
2011 Statement of Conscience
...Contributors to global warming include the overreliance on fossil fuels for food production...

Coal

End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
2006 Action of Immediate Witness

...WHEREAS the exploitation of Appalachia unjustly enriches other regions in the United States by providing cheap coal and thus electricity at the expense of Appalachia;

WHEREAS the availability of cheap coal thwarts energy conservation efforts because consumers, if required to pay the full and true costs of energy, would likely change their consumption habits; ...

Extend the Tax Credit for Wind and Solar Power
2008 Action of Immediate Witness
... and Climate Change; Whereas: Wind power and solar power partially replace electricity generation by coal-fired plants; Whereas: Carbon dioxide generation by coal-fired electric plants is a major contributor ...

Oil & Gas

Gulf Coast Environmental and Economic Justice 2010
2010 Action of Immediate Witness
... BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we educate ourselves and our communities about how we are involved in these events due to our demand for oil, and that we actively commit ourselves to reducing energy consumption from fossil fuels ...

In Support of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act
2009 Action of Immediate Witness
... THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2009 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges congregations and their members to:

• call for the Department of the Interior, through the BLM, to establish administrative protections for Utah’s wild lands from off-road vehicle abuse, road development, oil, gas, oil shale, and tar sands development by participating in the BLM public comment process; ...

Safer Alternatives to the Alaska Pipeline
1973 General Resolution
WHEREAS, there are strong indications that the proposed Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline would endanger the existence of much Arctic wildlife, including the migratory caribou upon which many of the inhabitants rely for food...

Alternate Sources and Conservation of Energy
1981 General Resolution
... WHEREAS, the United States cannot continue to be dependent on oil ...