The 27th Conference of the Parties—COP 27
The United Nations 27th environmental Conference of the Parties is underway in Egypt through November 18. Live sessions can be viewed online at https://unfccc.int/cop27/webcast.
The Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE)will be hosting almost daily facilitated discussions using Zoom. The full schedule and a link to sign up for the discussions may be found here: https://www.uumfe.org/cop-27-un-climate-summit/.
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice hosted an Action Hour on November 14, advocating fully funding the Green Climate Fund and passing the Environmental Justice for All Act.
• The Green Climate Fund “provides climate financing to developing countries, helping them raise and realise their climate ambitions and actions. Major innovation and transformation are needed in society, government, and business to transition from the status quo to a low-emission, climate-resilient path. GCF’s unique financing model, based on four complementary pathways, is designed to unlock climate innovation and investment for a more sustainable, liveable, and prosperous future.”
• The Environmental Justice for All Act being considered in the House and the Senate would establish “several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities.”
Green Sanctuary
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) “seeks environmental justice, beloved community, and the flourishing of all life” and envisions “a world in which reverence, gratitude, and care for each other and for the living Earth are central to the lives of all people.” The website lists numerous ways to get involved, learn about current campaigns and issue areas and find resources. You can sign up on the website to receive a brief monthly e-newsletter with information on opportunities for education, collaboration, and action.
Green Sanctuary
The Unitarian Universalists of the Blue Ridge is a candidate congregation for the UUA’s Green Sanctuary designation, in partnership with UUMFE and Create Climate Justice. The program is intended to:
• Deepen ties to UU faith and our seventh principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
• Empower congregations, families, and individuals to embrace and integrate effective stewardship of the Earth into their daily lives.
• Grow the environmental justice movement among people of faith by inviting congregations to engage in partnership beyond their congregational walls.
The requirements for the designation have been modified since UUBRidge first applied for it in 2016. In addition to individual and congregational efforts for conservation and reducing our climate footprint, direct engagement with frontline communities—those most impacted by the climate crisis and often having the fewest resources for mitigation or adaptation—is needed.
Climate change has serious implications for food production. Food insecurity has been a target of UUBRidge members for many years, from donating food items, home-grown vegetables, and cash to local food pantries, to an increasing focus on developing community gardens, working in partnership with local residents and like-minded groups to expand the availability of fresh produce and how to use it. Other projects, including local farm-to-table efforts and Native American gardening research and seed distribution are being developed.
The ESJ Committee welcomes everyone to join us in these efforts! Contact ESJ Chair Lisa McQuail for information.