At its annual meeting on June 13 the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County added its voice to the calls for decisive action to combat man-made global warming.  By unanimous vote, the members adopted a position statement on climate change action, to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and to urge others, including the world's leaders, to take action.

The minister of the congregation, Reverend Jarocha-Ernst said, "As Unitarian Universalists we recognize that all life is connected and interdependent and global warning threatens the sustainability of this life.  Our faith calls us to take responsibility for the stewardship of the earth and her inhabitants.  We pledge to speak out, to educate and to act to overcome our addictions to over-consumption and fossil fuels so that earth's ecosystem is sustainable for the generations to come."

The Congregation has already taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint and also save money. It acquired a large 9.6 kilowatt rooftop solar array in 2006, installed compact fluorescents, added programmable thermostats, and encouraged mindfulness about energy use, and realized a large electricity savings of 42%.

But the congregation wants to do much more by informing people of the danger posed by high and dangerous greenhouse gas levels and taking personal and collective action now.

Jan W. Dash Ph.D., a member of the congregation, Director of the Climate Initiative of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, and a member of the Executive Committee of the UN Committee on Sustainable Development (CoNGO, NY), noted: “The UUCMC Climate Statement is based on solid principles. The human-caused global-warming trend of climate change is scientifically established. Impacts from global warming are now being felt and will soon become far worse. All countries will be increasingly affected in a myriad of severe, adverse ways: economically, environmentally, militarily, politically, medically, and psychologically. We need dedicated, clear, decisive leadership and action to beneficially counter global warming by governments, organizations, corporations, and individuals. There is no alternative. Let not future generations, impacted by global warming, say of us, ‘They knew but did not act’.”

At an official congregational business meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, Inc., held on June 13, 2010 and attended by 69 Members, the Members passed the following resolutioni:

Whereas…

• Our Unitarian Universalist principles affirm and promote environmental stewardship…
• The scientific evidence supporting global warming is overwhelming and cannot be ignored...
• Climate change has the potential to degrade the quality of life of all people on earth, particularly those who lack the resources to adapt…
• The impacts of global warming have dire consequences, including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and mass extinctions…
• There is no second planet and so we must preserve the one we have…
• Dwindling water and food supplies will increase conflict and threaten world peace…
• The Copenhagen Climate Conference COP15 was a pivotal first step towards making a binding agreement but is not enough…

We of the UUCMC, as a faith community, therefore pledge to honor, uphold, and act upon the following ethical and moral imperatives:

• Be conscientious consumers by distinguishing the difference between ‘need’ and ‘want’.
• Educate ourselves and our communities (schools, neighborhoods, etc.) with the most accurate information available, counter disinformation, and use effective means of communication to accomplish these ends, e.g. the Internet and the arts.
• Take simple and economical steps to reduce our carbon footprint and advocate for pro-environment legislation and research on a large scale.
• Urge political candidates and elected officials to acknowledge the climate crisis and demand that they take action.
• Urge the Cancun Climate Conference COP16 in 2010 to develop a fair, ambitious, and binding agreement. This means specifying commitments to achieve safe greenhouse gas levels and providing substantial aid to developing countries for technology transfer and adaptation.
• Ensure generational equity, meaning that our children and further generations will be able to enjoy our planet and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

The vote was 68 votes for the resolution, no votes against, with one abstention.

Based on the 2010 Climate Change Seminar Statement (UU - UN Office) formulated by the seminar participants, and strengthened by the UUCMC Climate Change Action Team and Rev. Virginia Jarocha- Ernst. It follows the 2006 UUA General Assembly’s Statement of Conscience.