Faith-Based Earth Advocacy
The Unitarian Universalist Association, UU Ministry for Earth, and the Earth Day Network are partnering in promoting the Earth Day 2007 Call for Action on Climate Change. This movement is gaining momentum from the recent U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on global warming, to Al Gore's reception in Congress, and a growing awareness among the public and faith communities that we must take action.
The campaign kicks off on April 14 with the Step It Up Day of Action, and continues with Earth Day on the Hill—a week of advocacy and lobbying (live and virtual) from April 16 through April 20. Activities culminate with an Earth Day Sunday of sermons, worship and educational activities on April 22.
Special attention is being given to addressing the concerns of communities that are most vulnerable to the devastating impact of climate change and to finding solutions that are economically just and address environmental racism.
At the UUA's 2006 General Assembly, a Statement of Conscience on the
Threat of Global Warming was passed by the delegate body. This year's Earth Day campaign provides an
opportunity to implement this statement!
April 14—Step it Up Day of Action: People are needed to
help organize a nationwide day of hundreds and hundreds of rallies on April 14. Gatherings in every state are envisioned, encouraging Congress to enact
immediate cuts in carbon emissions, and gaining commitments to pledge an 80% reduction by 2050. The individual rallies will be linked together electronically via the Step it Up website to create the largest demonstration on
global climate change that the country has seen.
April 16-20—Earth Day on the Hill will include week long lobbying, live and virtual, for a greenhouse gas emissions cap at 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% carbon reductions by 2050. Lobby visits will include Latino partners who are addressing the farm bill reauthorization act and African American and environmental justice groups addressing toxic clean-up and wetlands preservation on the Gulf Coast.
April 22—Earth Day Sunday: Sermons, Worship, Educational Events.
- This Earth Day, make a commitment to "walk your talk" about environmental issues by joining UU Ministry for Earth, the fastest growing grassroots movement in the denomination. UUA President Bill Sinkford has noted the work of Ministry for Earth as instrumental in the development of a new focus on environmental justice within the UU faith community.
- The Green Sanctuary Movement now claims ten percent of all churches as either certified or official candidates at present, with at least as many considering making that commitment.
- Ministry for Earth is working to produce the first ever national UU conference on Environmental Justice next year. And, as ever, congregational resources for education, worship, and justice work are available and expanding.
Act now: Ask your congregation to consider becoming a Green Sanctuary. Individuals and congregations can take many actions to support a sustainable planet.
For more information contact socialjustice @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, July 27, 2007.
