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STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Plan for Implementation of the CUC Environmental
Policy
Proposed Environmental Actions
STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Canadian Unitarian Universalists recognize that the ecological support systems
upon which all life depends are threatened by industrial civilization. Population
pressures, technologies and economic systems have, while pursuing human benefits,
created an environmental crisis. This is a profoundly moral issue; as a religious
community it is incumbent upon us to foster the ethics and values that will
ensure the continued existence of a world as beautiful and productive as that
which we know as our home.
Therefore:
We affirm the values described in the document Environmental
Principles of Canadian Unitarian Universalists.
We mandate our denomination at the national, regional
and congregational levels to provide a strong Unitarian Universalist voice and
presence in confronting environmental issues.
Adopted by the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting, May 23, 1999
1. Principle of interdependence: As Unitarian
Universalists, we covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent
web of all existence of which we are a part.
The values of individual responsibility, personal growth,
democracy, and social justice that we also affirm are essential elements in
the development of a sustainable relationship with nature.
2. Principle of inherent worth: We acknowledge that we are
but one species of many on earth; each has its own value that cannot be
measured by its service to humankind.
Viewing the earth merely as a resource for the satisfaction
of human needs and desires has been destructive and imperiled our future.
3. Principle of sustainability: Ensuring sustainability of
the earth and all life upon it is our first responsibility to future generations
and to all the species with which we share the planet.
In a sustainable world, healthy human societies will live
in harmony with the natural environment.
4. Principle of religious commitment: Sustainability requires
an understanding of the universe and our place and purpose in it.
Since the environmental crisis is a result of human arrogance
and alienation from nature, we should seek to re-establish our spiritual relationship
with the earth. A new “story” or myth complementary to earth-based traditions
and wisdom could form part of the educational process that is essential
to this quest.
5. Principle of ethical action: We must seek, adopt and practice
an environment ethic which is appropriate to our time and place.
“The land ethic” described by Aldo Leopold provides guidance
in this search: “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity,
stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”
6. Principle of biodiversity: The health and quality of life
on earth depends upon the preservation and restoration of biodiversity.
Species are disappearing from the earth at a cataclysmic
rate, weakening some ecosystems and causing the collapse of others. By fragmenting
Earth’s landscapes we are creating conditions for even greater losses.
7. Precautionary principle: We can never be certain of the impact
of our actions on nature; where knowledge is incomplete and irreversible harm
is possible, we must err on the side of caution.
Every decision is a choice about the future; application
of the precautionary principle will reduce the possibility of undesirable consequence.
8. Principle of limits: The ecological support systems of
planet earth are finite, imposing limits on the growth of populations and
economies.
Since the economy is totally dependent upon the environment,
it cannot be allowed to undermine the integrity of ecological processes. A
sustainable economy must limit consumption to the “interest” produced by the
natural capital upon which it depends.
Adopted by the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting, May 23, 1999
Our relationship to the environment and our responsibility
to it is a profoundly moral issue. Dr. Phillip Hewett writes: “What we need
is what at their best the religions of the world have always provided in the
past – the spiritual underpinnings for effective action.”
Following adoption of the Statement of Environmental Policy at the 1999 Annual
Meeting, the CUC will:
1. Circulate the Environmental Policy, Principles, Plan for Implementation,
and Preliminary Action List to all congregations.
2. Establish an Environmental Issues Monitor (to be known as
the CUC Environmental Committee), in accordance with CUC policy, to ensure that
the CUC board is aware of issues needing action, and receives advice on what
that action might be. The Monitor will invite, list and priorize environmental
action items for action by the CUC Board and consideration by congregations.
The Monitor will establish an environmental issues communication network between
interested congregations and individuals, invite participants to assume responsibility
for particular issues, and suggest timelines. An annual report should identify
actions undertaken, progress achieved, and proposed activities.
By adopting the Statement of Environmental Policy at the 1999 Annual Meeting,
the CUC and congregations are encouraged to:
1. Integrate the values and ethics expressed in Environmental
Principles for Canadian Unitarian Universalists into our religious rituals
and practices in congregations and as individuals.
2. Establish a committee, or name an existing committee or individual
in each congregation to identify environmental issues, launch action programs,
and communicate with the Monitor.
3. Develop environmental education material for congregational
use, including Religious Education resources for children, young people, and
adults. Promote similar environmental education in the school system.
4. Collaborate with other religious groups and interfaith organizations
to promote environmental awareness, and work with such groups when specific
environmental issues arise.
5. Collaborate with environmental labour, business, community
and other organizations where appropriate for the promotion of values expressed
in our Environmental Principles.
6. Make representations to federal, provincial and local governments
emphasizing the priority required by environmental issues, and pressing for
action where needed.
7. Develop working relationships with media to raise public awareness
of environmental issues and positions taken by Canadian Unitarian Universalists.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, Canadian Unitarian Council, May 20, 1999
1. Promote the concept of an Earth Charter, as presently being
considered around the world for adoption by the United Nations.
2. Encourage the government of Canada to ensure that this nation
achieves the goal agreed to in the Kyoto convention for the reduction of global
warming.
3. Promote the enactment of strong legislation to identify and
protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
4. Consider and support research into and development of alternative
energy sources to replace fossil fuels.
5. Develop a position on biotechnology that considers its potential
impacts on human health, biodiversity, global food supplies, the farm community
and the economy at home and abroad.
6. Promote an Environmental Bill of Rights which guarantees all
people the right to a healthy environment and requires government to enact measures
that will ensure the preservation of such an environment.
7. Promote a Sustainability Act in each province to formalize
a commitment to social, environmental and economic sustainability.
8. Develop action plans to identify and promote lifestyle choices
that will benefit the environment.
9. Encourage the Government of Canada to strengthen the mandate
of the Health Protection Branch in view of weaknesses revealed during recent
assessments of biotechnology proposals.
10. Urge the enactment of legislation requiring the Department
of Defence and the defence industry to be financial responsible for safe disposal
of hazardous materials.
Congregations have also expressed interest in developing action plans in such
areas as population and economic growth, vegetarianism, urban farming, composting,
and urban design with emphasis on densification.
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