Dear Friends of Environmental Justice,
The world has turned its attention to climate change for the moment, with two weeks of discussions and negotiations happening right now in Copenhagen. Let us do what we can to inform ourselves and take action to protect our planet for future generations and to support those most affected by the climate change already occuring. We are blessed to have such an opportunity to shape the future. Happy Holidays!
In This Issue:
Climate Change -- UUSC, UUMFE, UUA
The Human Right to Water -- UUSC
The Human Right to Water -- UUSC
Environmental Justice News is a collaborative effort between:
UU Ministry for the Earth
UU Service Committee
UUA's Green Sanctuary program
UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy
In faith,
Rowan Van Ness
Program Associate for Environmental Justice
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(1) Climate Change -- Updates from UUSC, WOA, and UUMFE
ACTION: Dial Down Climate Change: Obama in Copenhagen [WOA]
The UN COP15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is nearing a close, and President Obama is expected to go to Copenhagen on Friday, 12/18. He's planning on negotiating for emissions reductions in the range of 17% below 2005 levels (4% below 1990 levels), which is simply not enough to prevent the worst effects of climate change. As he said himself in his Nobel Peace Prize speech, "there is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement," and the impacts of climate change most adversely affect those with the least power to do something about it. We need to join our partners and tell the Administration how important it is for the US to Dial Down Climate Change!
ACTION: Stand Up for Climate Justice [UUSC]
The disruption caused by climate change affects all of us, but the people who are feeling these impacts most profoundly did little to cause them. They are street vendors in Kenya who are grappling with the instability of crop failures and rising food prices. They are women in Darfur who must walk further and further away to collect firewood. You can help address this injustice by supporting UUSC partners to ensure a safer, healthier tomorrow. See how you can support international efforts of grass roots organizations who are working on climate justice.
RESOURCE: Human Rights and Climate Change [UUSC]
People around the world are looking to Copenhagen for significant change in climate change policy. Grassroots organizations from around the world are mobilizing to impact the talks to tip them more toward climate justice. UUSC partner Asia Pacific Research Network began a "people's movement" for more just climate policy last year - culminating in the "People's Protocol on Climate Change" with far reaching aspirations. Human rights defenders are also mobilizing to engage the UN Human Rights Council in their initiative to address the nexus of climate change and human rights. Become familiar with the human rights issues related to climate change and monitor the UN process - help human rights defenders around the world by including human rights in your efforts to create climate justice.
NEWS: Vigils for Survival & Sounds of 350 [UUMFE]
UUs joined people from around the world in a weekend of climate action during COP-15, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. UU Ministry for Earth supported candlelight "Vigils for Survival" around the world on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12. On Sunday, Dec. 13, faith communities "sounded out" the 350 call to action through ringing bells, beating drums, and making all kinds of noises 350 times. Visit UU Ministry for Earth for more information.
NEWS: Blogging from Copenhagen [WOA]
Several UUs are in Copenhagen right now for the Climate Change Conference, and are blogging about their experiences. Check out the Inspired Faith, Effective Action blog to read their reflections.
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(2) The Human Right to Water -- Update from UUSC
Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes Human Right to Water Bill (AB 1242)
NEWS: Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the historic state wide human right to water bill in California at the last hour on October 11th - but did sign four other water justice bills, due in part to the pressure from UUs on the bill. See the governor's message (PDF). UU Legislative Ministry of California and UUSC members worked to make this historic legislation a reality. See information about AB 1242.
NEWS: UUSC briefs the UN Independent Expert on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
UUSC, the Religious Working Group on Water, and ally Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, held a briefing about the human right to water in the United States for Ms. Catarina De Albuquerque, the UN Human Rights Council Independent Expert on the Human Right to Water. See the full briefing and the IE's comments.
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(3) Food Justice -- Update from Green Sanctuary
A Thriving Ministry of Local Foods - UU Rockland, ME Fishing has always been a traditional way of life in coastal Maine. For generations, fishing was plentiful and fishermen could count on selling their catch locally. Over time, stocks plummeted due to over-fishing and competition from global markets caused prices to decline. When the price of fuel soared the profit margin for local fishermen narrowed even further. The downturn in fishing took its toll on communities, schools could no longer survive and villages faced extinction.
Several local non-profits worked together to sustain the endangered fisheries. As a result of a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, the Green Sanctuary team at UU Rockland started one of the nation's first Community Supported Fisheries (CSF). The creation of the CSF led to the creation of additional CSFs in Maine and fishing communities from around the world have been contacting the MFA to see if they can replicate the model. The CSF partnership has played a seminal role in helping to sustain the local fishing fleet, spreading the word about the importance of buying locally, and the fishermen and CSF members share a bond and common goal of the restoration of a vibrant fishery along coastal Maine. More information about UU Rockland's ministry of local foods is on the Congregational Stewardship blog.
