Proposed Statement of Conscience on Global Warming

Wildflower Church

Proposed Statement of Conscience on Global Warming

Endorsed, as revised, by Board of Trustees on October 11, 2007

Life is a process of coming into and going out of existence, but our over-consumption has created an out-of-balance state that threatens the very Earth we depend on for life. We commit to doing our part to restore that ecological balance for a positive future for our children and a sustainable future for our world.

We, as members of Wildflower Church of Austin, TX, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, declare by this Statement of Conscience that we commit ourselves, individually and as a congregation, to take what measures are within our power to reduce the negative impact of our dependence on non-renewable resources. As a UU congregation, we commit to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

We will as individuals, within our power and resources, strive to:

·         Reduce our use of energy and our consumption of manufactured goods that become waste;

·         Use alternative sources of energy to reduce climate change and to encourage the development of such sources;

·         Choose the most energy efficient means of transportation that can meet our needs and abilities;

·         Reuse, recycle, and reduce waste;

·         Plant and preserve trees and native plants and choose sustainably harvested wood and wood products;

·         Reduce our personal consumption of unsustainable energy sources by 20% by 2010 or sooner;

·         Use financial resources to encourage corporate responsibility with reference to impacts on global warming;

·         Consume less, choose appliances that are energy efficient, and products that have been and/or can be recycled;

·         Commit to continue to learn and educate each other about the science and impacts of global warming and the methods of sustainable living for ourselves and the entire community;

·         Advocate public policies which will address these critical global warming issues.

We will as a Congregation

·         Celebrate reverence for the interdependent web of existence in all aspects of congregational life;

·         Educate ourselves, our children, and future generations on sustainable ways to live;

·         Build a broader base for environmentally mindful policies and practices through congregational alliances within Unitarian Universalism, through interfaith channels, and with the secular community;

·         Plan any future facilities with green building and energy efficiencies in mind;

·         Practice environmentally responsible consumption and encourage voluntary simplicity among members;

·         Participate in Austin’s energy sustainability initiative to achieve citywide energy sustainability goals;

·         Encourage our leadership and ministry to voice the necessity of all these goals for a sustainable future for our congregation, our community, and our world.