We support the UU climate justice movement by collaborating with other climate voices at the United Nations in order to support climate change mitigation, adaptation, and policies to protect communities under threat and to ensure that our planet is viable for us and future generations.
UU@UN Climate Initiatives at the UN
The Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations (UU@UN), part of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and working in collaboration with the Canadian Unitarian Council, promotes human rights, peace, and justice throughout the world. The UU@UN supports the work of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), whose long-term vision is very much in tune with our moral, ethical, and survival imperative to ensure ecosystem health, livelihood, peace, and justice.
There can be no long-term solution to human rights concerns without effectively dealing with environmental justice issues; this includes climate change. Climate change makes a tangible impact on human survival on Earth. It is interconnected with many social justice and environmental issues, including the themes focused on in the SDGs (good health & well-being, gender equality, clean water & sanitation, affordable & clean energy, reduced inequalities, etc.).
Today’s world needs to address issues including: employment and decent work for all, social protection, youth, education and culture, health and population dynamics. Local efforts will not be enough to solve them. Global action is needed, which can only be coordinated by the United Nations.
UU@UN Climate Justice Initiative Values
The UU@UN Climate Justice Initiative values consist of the Unitarian Universalist Principles with an emphasis on the Seventh Principle, “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” UUs have long been strong advocates and actors in the fight for climate justice. Delegates at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly in 2006 passed the "Threat of Global Warming, 2006 Statement of Conscience" and in 2015, passed an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) titled “Support a Strong, Compassionate Global Climate Agreement in 2015: Act for a Livable Climate”. This AIW conveyed the importance of an ambitious climate change agreement at the critical United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP21) held in Paris, France in December 2015. In addition to sending credentialed observers to COP21, Unitarian Universalists have participated in subsequent UNFCCC conferences, promoting the UU agenda of climate justice and urgent action to mitigate climate change.
Get Involved with Climate Action: UU Climate Action Network
The Unitarian Universalist Climate Action Network is a way for Unitarian Universalist individuals and Climate Action Teams to connect and share news, stories, resources, and calls to action.
Climate Action Teams (CATs)
CATs work with their congregations and surrounding communities to educate, inspire, and create change for climate justice. In some congregations, a CAT is also the Green Sanctuary Program committee. In others, the CAT is its own stand-alone committee or a subcommittee of the Green Sanctuary team or social justice committee. CATs choose their own structure and program priorities based upon their local contexts and interests.
Learn More & Register Your CAT
Connect and Network
The UU Climate Action Roundtable is a monthly opportunity for UU CATs, activists, and friends to come together online or by phone for conversation around spiritual resources, current events, stories, questions & struggles, and calls for action & solidarity towards climate justice.
Calls take place the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm Eastern / 5pm Pacific. You can join by phone or web (Zoom.us); by yourself or with others in your congregation. Sign up to join the Climate Action Roundtable mailing list and get dial-in information for the next call.