Environmental Justice is in Our Nature

The Seventh Principle of Unitarian Universalism (UUism) calls us to "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." Helping to care for the Earth is also caring for humanity.

Before Global  Warming/Climate Change and Green Jobs were in the daily news, we have been trying to live by this principle in our congregations, homes, neighborhoods, and in our world-wide justice work. We have been recycling before it was required. Many of our congregations have land and streams that they protect. Using renewable energy and buying products made from recycled materials are just some of the ways we have been helping the environment.

In order to accomplish this work, we are continuing to learn together. UUs work for environmental justice in many ways:

• religious education programs that teach our children to respect the earth
• environmentally-friendly congregational buildings and sustainable practices, and
• advocacy on issues such as climate change, environmental racism, socially responsible investing, and corporate accountability.

We are committed to understanding and addressing the threats to vulnerable communities that are always connected to the degradation of the environment. Earth justice and social justice go hand-in-hand.

One of our current study issues is Ethical Eating. Some of the concerns we're considering are:

• There are environmental concerns and concerns about animal rights and human rights. What moral guidelines, if any, should govern food production?
• Some people have too much food and some have too little. How should congregations address issues like poverty and hunger, nutrition education, and health promotion?
• What guidelines, if any, govern the purchase and use of food and beverages in our congregations?
• There are different religious teachings concerning the production, distribution, and use of food. Why is food so important in religion?

Help us save the environment at a local congregation near you.