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Environmental Justice

"Perhaps the most deeply integrated and compassionate expression of our caring for the planet is our recognition of the plight of beings who are not flourishing. Some of these beings are humans who suffer environmental oppression from unjust discrimination of the wealthy and advantaged in society. Some are other species whose simple right to existence is not recognized by their oppressors. To act boldly, even radically, to raise such plights to the recognition of our fellows and provide relief to the oppressed is perhaps the pinnacle of our religious environmental work."
~ Green Sanctuary Program Manual
Environmental Justice image


Introduction Environmental
Organizations
Long-Term
Collaborations
Local Information
Upcoming Events Past Events Climate Change
Events
The UUA on
Environmental Justice


Introduction


"Environmental justice challenges us take action
to create a just society,
so that the benefits we receive in our lives
do not come at the expense of others.
Earth justice asks us to first, acknowledge, and then redress
how environmental impacts fall first and most severely
on those who receive the least of the benefits
and are mostly powerless to effect changes.
It also means that justice must be extended beyond
human societies to include
all beings
whose lives are shadowed by the burdens imposed on them
by the inappropriate, unsustainable, sometimes cruel,
and destructive life-styles of our species."

~ Green Sanctuary Program Manual


Environmental justice or Earth justice, encompasses a wide variety of issues. It's roots are tangled in spiritual degradation, social inequity and environmental exploitation. In fact, it's difficult to separate them. All three aspects are intricately interwoven and so must their solutions be interwoven as well. BUF's Green Sanctuary Program recognizes this triad and will be working closely with Social Justice, Worship and RE teams to put forward programming that addresses the spiritual, social justice and environmental aspects of our lifestyle and the necessary changes to be made not only in our congregational life, but in the greater community as well. In this joined effort, hopefully we can begin the healing process not only for the Earth, but ourselves as well.

Environmental Justice Organizations


Click here to enter the environmental justice organization listing page or head into the Information Center here or (on the menu to the right). The environmental justice organization page will list local, national and international organizations invovled in conservation and other environmental efforts. The information center link will take you local/regional resources, recommended readings, articles, and video resources in a variety of environmental topic areas. Each and every one of these organizations needs support, so pick one, two or a few and begin working with them!

Long-Term Collaborations


One requirement for the Green Sanctuary Program certification is the establishment of a long-term partnership with an outside organization that is involved in some form of environmental justice effort. It is hoped that through these partnerships BUF and other organizations will be able to boost their capacity to create change. It is the aim of the GSP that its projects will aim toward benefiting to those who directly suffer the impacts of the environmental degradation. At this point in time, BUF is engaged in at least three long-term, ongoing relationships, and will hopefully be adding more in the future, including a more formalized relationship with another organization: Transition Whatcom. These relationships include:

Long-term Collaborations: Sustainable Connections

Sustainable Connections supports our greater community's innovators in green building, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, supporting independent businesses in town centers, and mentoring a new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision. BUF has recently become a full-fledged member of this organization. Above and beyond that, several BUF members are individual members of this organization as well. Many BUF members attend events, classes, workshops put on by this organization that has sustainability as its overall goal.

Long-term Collaboration: Nooksack Salmon Enhancment Assn.

"NSEA's mission is the restoration of sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County. This is accomplished through a variety of programs and activities. Since several BUF members were already involved in this organization, it was thought to establish a more formal relationship through the Green Sanctuary Program and support its efforts in salmon habitat restoration.

Long-term Collaboration: Bellingham and Lummi Food Banks

Whatcom County Food Banks work diligently to provide sorely needed food resources to our less fortunate population. Although there are six food banks in Whatcom County, BUF has a special relationship with both the Bellingham Food Bank and the Lummi Food Bank. GSP encourages BUF members not only to support the local food banks with regular food items, but also through the "Grow A Row" program, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) donations and always encourgages members to provide local, organic and/or fair trade food donation items.

Long-term Collaboration: Transition Whatcom

A result of the formation of the Whatcom Peak Oil Task Force, was the beginning and on-going evolution of Transition Whatcom. Transition Whatcom is a networking hub of individuals and groups that work towards sustainability and a post-carbon society. Although Transition Whatcom is still in its infancy, BUF already has several if its individual members involved with this organization, has co-sponsored/hosted events by TC and will continue to engage and support this organization in the future. BUF will be hosting Transition Whatcom's Leadership training in June 2010. Look for details.

Local Information


Whatcom Wildlife Area
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/whatcom/


The Whatcom Wildlife Area has eight units totaling 4,960 acres north of Bellingham in Whatcom County, with the majority within a few miles of Puget Sound and about ten miles south of the Canadian border. More than three miles of the Nooksack River are adjacent to the wildlife area. The Tennant Lake unit is situated in the Nooksack River’s mainstem floodplain and the river hugs the unit’s western border. Most wetlands in the lower Nooksack were diked and ditched by the beginning of the 20th century.

Habitat types here include submergent and emergent marsh, grasslands, open water and deciduous, coniferous and mixed forest. Without disturbance, the climax vegetation in this area would be western red cedar and Douglas fir. The Whatcom Wildlife Area contains a wide range of wetland- and riparian-dependent species, as well as upland species. The area supports important habitat for wintering waterfowl and is located on the Pacific Flyway.

It was purchased beginning in the 1940s primarily for waterfowl habitat preservation and public recreation, with more recent acquisitions focused on salmonid habitat preservation.

Whatcom County's Wildlife Area units include:

British Petroleum
Intalco
Lake Terrell
Lummi Island
Nooksack
Pine and Cedar Lakes
Tennant Lake
Upcoming Events


June Food Donations Go To The Lummi Reservation Food Bank
June 1 - June 30

Lummi Logo
The month of June has been designated to support the Lummi Reservation Food Bank which serves all residents (both Indian & non-Indian) living on the reservation and on Lummi Island. It is being stretched to the limit because of the huge demand it is experiencing. This is one of six Whatcom County food banks. The demand for food is huge and growing daily. With our economy faltering, more and more people who used to contribute to the food bank are now finding that they are in need and are using these services. BUF has agreed to send our food donations to the Lummi Food Bank one month every quarter. They need canned vegetables (green beans and corn), canned fruits, dry cereals (corn flakes, cherrios, etc., they get oatmeal in bulk), any kind of tomato products like sauces, canned tomatoes, flour, sugar, canned milk, beans, pasta, and rice. Please go through your cupboards or pick up something extra for the blue tubs. They stand ready to gather your gifts. It is critical that we, as a community, don't fail in our commitment to feed the hungry and be generous to those struggling to get by. We need to be in this effort for the long haul! The June 13th service will be the food donation blessing service.




Past Events


To view past environmental events and projects, click here.


The UUA On
Environmental Justice


UUA General Resolution
Earth Charter Endorsement Climate Change SOC
The UU Ministry
For The Earth


UUMFE Intro

UUMFE Part 1

UUMFE Part 2

UUMFE Part 3