"Climate change is not just another issue in this complicated world of proliferating issues. It is THE issue which, unchecked, will swamp all other issues."
- Ross Gelbspan, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author

"We begin our response to global warming with the integrity of our 7th principle, which reminds us that our religious life is not complete without acknowledging and celebrating our relationship with our beloved Earth."
- Rev. Katherine Jensch, Coordinator, UU Ministry for Earth

"We will not acquiesce to the ongoing degradation and destruction of life that human actions are leaving to our children and grandchildren. We as Unitarian Universalists are called to join with others to halt practices that fuel global warming/climate change, to instigate sustainable alternatives, and to mitigate the impending effects of global warming/climate change with just and ethical responses. As a people of faith, we commit to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of all existence."
- Excerpt from Statement of Conscience: Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change - adopted by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (June 26, 2006).

The Statement of Conscience on the Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change is a bold call for systemic reform at every level, with detailed action items for individuals, congregations, the UUA, and for civic and legislative advocacy efforts that shape national policy.

At the personal level, Unitarian Universalists are called to take many measures to move toward greater sustainability, including to “reduce our use of energy and our consumption of manufactured goods that become waste” and to “determine our personal energy consumption and pledge to reduce our use of energy and carbon emissions by at least 20% by 2010 or sooner and into the future.”

UU congregations are urged to “treat environmentally responsible practices as a spiritual discipline” and to “educate ourselves, our children, and future generations on sustainable ways to live interdependently.”

The choices we make, coupled with the choices made by government and the private sector, profoundly affect our environment. We have a moral responsibility to future generations to mitigate global warming while there is still time.

Fortunately, the solutions to global warming are things that will also help us achieve clean air, safeguard public health, promote economic diversity and job growth, ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all, and in the long run save our society millions of dollars. Here in California's central valley, our need for clean air and energy sustainability dovetails precisely with the call to reduce emissions that harm our lungs and contribute to global climate change. The UU Fellowship of Visalia has covenanted with the California Interfaith Power & Light to to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. If you know a group interested in viewing the video Lighten Up which shows how faith must address this hugely important issue, please contact us.

"UU's Take on Global Warming" - A Visual Summary of the Unitarian Universalist Statement of Conscience on Global Warming and Climate Change (Adopted June, 2006), presentation by Harold Wood.
Download illustrated sermon: PDF | Power Point

“Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Carbon Offsets ”
Presentation by Harold Wood.

• Download illustrated sermon: PDF | Power Point
• Download handout: UU Ministry for Earth & Carbon Fund (PDF)
• Link: carbonfund.org

Climage Change Links

• Statement of Conscience: Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change (HTML)
• 2006 UUA Statement of Conscience: "Threat of Global Warming" (PDF) (June 26, 2006)
• Global warming as a moral issue - article from UUWorld.
• What you can do about global warming - article from UU World.
• Global Warming Resources - UU Ministry for Earth
• Sierra Club Global Warming - Suggests several positive things we can do to address global warming
• Global Warming Undo it - Campaign from Environmental Defense
• National Global Warming Coalition - Join a Fast to stop global warming
• Real Climate > Climate Science - Non-political, purely scientific; debunks the global warming naysayers
• Climate Change 101 Seminar Series - Climate Change and its Impacts on California - University of California, Davis
• Global Climate Change - SUNY Buffalo Libraries - Comprehensive Guide to Internet Resources
• Interfaith Climate Change Network - A call for climate justice from National Council of Churches and others
• California Interfaith Power and Light - A religious response to global warming
• Stop Global Warming.com - Join UUA President William Sinkford, Walter Cronkite, James Taylor, and other leaders in a cyber-march on Washington!
• World Wildlife Fund Climate Change - Helpful educational resources
• EPA Global Warming - This agency recognizes the very real threat of global warming!
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - World Meteorological Association - the authoritative source
• Worldwatch Institute - Note especially Global Security Brief #3: Climate Change Poses Greater Security Threat than Terrorism
• Religious Witness for the Earth
• Concern for the Environment Drives UU Church of Fresno Members (Fresno Bee, April 22, 2005)

Videos

• An Inconvenient Truth - Hugely succcessful motion picture documentary and accompanying book on global warming by Al Gore.
• Global Warming 101 with Al Gore - from Oprah Winfrey show
• Kilowatt Ours - A Campaign to Re-energize America
• The Great Warming - Filmed in eight countries on four continents, endorsed by dozens of the world's leading scientists, as well as religious leaders from a variety of faiths, this three-hour television series is the most factually accurate, visually stunning and wide-ranging production ever mounted about this complex, fascinating subject.
• Leonardo DiCaprio's Eco-Site - Superb short film on Global Warming explains our addiction to oil and how we can and must create a "separation of Oil and State."
• Lighten Up Video and Study Guide - from California Interfaith Power and Light - A brief film on the importance of responding to the global warming crisis by protecting Creation from a religious and moral perspective.
• The Big Melt - From New York Times Video

News Flash

29 November 2006, Rome - Which causes more greenhouse gas emissions, rearing cattle or driving cars? Surprise! According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. We can't all buy hybrid cars, but we can eat less meat.