Justice and Inclusion: Ministering Effectively in Our Multicultural World

“We Are Still In” for bold, compassionate global action for Climate Justice!

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Representatives of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) have wrapped up two weeks of advocacy and public witness at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) concluded it’s 24th session (COP24), December 3-14th, in Katowice, Poland.

In 2015, the UUA’s governing body, General Assembly, affirmed support for a strong, compassionate global climate agreement. The COP24 was focused on defining the “rule book” for implementing the Paris Agreement, and the UUA COP24 advocates on the ground in Poland continued to press for fairness, ambition, and enforceability in the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Meanwhile, the Trump Administration’s focus at the COP24 consisted of trying to weaken acknowledgement of the scientific reality and urgency of the climate crisis, and promoting “unapologetic utilisation” of coal, oil and gas in a panel that was disrupted by US youth and numerous representatives of communities on the frontlines of climate- and environmental injustice.

The UUA denounces the moral failure of the Trump Administration to take the necessary actions to address climate change.

“Multilateral action on climate change is the single most important moral decision of our time,” said the UUA United Nations Office Director, Bruce Knotts. “We either move quickly to address this existential threat of climate change or we consign the planet and all life on the planet to a living hell on earth.”

The UUA joins other faith communities, as well as businesses, universities, and local government leaders in saying “We are still in”. We are still committed to implementing --- or better yet, surpassing --- the US commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement and limiting global climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Moreover, we are committed to Climate Justice.

The UUA holds firmly the belief that multilateral climate action must honor and heed the leadership and wisdom of those who are most impacted by extraction, pollution, and climate change. Community-based solutions that protect the rights and address the needs of most-affected communities are essential to enacting a Just Transition through and beyond this climate crisis.

The time to act is now. The words of this message sent to the leaders of the UNFCCC COP 24 by the International Interfaith community feel apt:

“Wielding the language of courage and hope over fear and despair, we, as faith communities, continue to uphold the vision of a future of wellbeing and mutual flourishing for humanity, future generations and all creation.

We invite you to join us in a common pilgrimage to seek and live out alternative social, economic and political pathways towards a carbon-neutral, sustainable and equitable world. It is within our grasp if we act now!”

Are you Ready to Join the UUA in taking action for Climate Justice?

  1. Set up your account on Create Climate Justice Net, the UU community organizing platform for climate justice mobilization (make sure you scroll to the bottom of the link to see the 5 Tips to Get Started)

  2. Sign up for a tutorial session to learn how to navigate and fully utilize this powerful new resource!

Stay tuned for another invitation in early 2019! The UUA has just established an Organizing Strategy Team with Rev. Karen Brammer leading as the UUA Senior Associate for Climate Justice. This is an exciting shift that will enhance the staff support and intersectionality of UUA climate justice ministries. So gear up for a year of bold and compassionate action for climate justice, from the UU grassroots to the UUA headquarters! Another invitation to join the UUA in taking action for climate justice will be sent in early 2019 through Create Climate Justice Net (so make sure you set up your account!).

Justice on Earth

By Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Jennifer Nordstrom

From Skinner House Books

The 2018-19 UUA Common Read Fourteen activist ministers and lay leaders apply a keen intersectional analysis to the environmental crisis, revealing ways that systems of oppression intersect with and contribute to ecological devastation.

Buy This Book

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