Safer Sources of Energy 1992 General Resolution

BECAUSE future generations have the right to inherit a livable biosphere; and

BECAUSE the responsibility for ensuring the livability of the biosphere lies ultimately with every person; and

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; and

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

WHEREAS the General Assemblies of 1977, 1979, and 1981 adopted resolutions urging the development and the use of non-polluting, renewable sources of energy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association support efforts such as the Seventh Principle Project whose aim is to:

  1. provide a network to collect and distribute ecological and environmental information; and
  2. coordinate ecological and environmental projects within the Association and with other affiliated organizations;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department for Social Justice be encouraged to establish a network for sharing the results of attempts to implement this resolution;

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;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association promote the conservation of the remaining dwindling sources of fossil fuel by improving fuel efficiency, by encouraging increased taxation of polluting fuels, and by increasing support for public transportation, and that member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists be urged to join this action; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations work with its affiliates, Unitarian Universalist congregations, camps and conference centers, district offices, and other groups to set an example by actively promoting energy conservation measures among ourselves, including proper insulation, energy efficient lighting and heating, improvements in building design and landscaping, and the encouragement of carpooling, walking, and cycling.