Climate Justice Group

In an effort to promote climate justice, on Nov 8, 2015 our congregation passed a Resolution Declaring Our Right to a Livable Climate by majority vote. This is our story.

Climate Justice Council

What is Climate Justice?

Climate justice views global warming as an ethical and political issue and considers how its causes and effects relate to concepts of justice, particularly environmental justice and social justice.

Climate change affects all of us, but disproportionately affects those living in poverty. It marginalizes communities of color and indigenous communities who have the fewest resources to adapt to climate disruption. The poorest peoples of the world, who have contributed the least to the problem and who often rely on access to natural resources for livelihood, will suffer the most. We are working for a rapid transition to a fossil fuel free economy in which wealth and power are distributed fairly. We are compelled to work on climate change issues in order to create such a just world and to avert catastrophic human rights disasters, as well as to leave a viable planet for future life.

The Unitarian Universalist Association describes environmental justice in the following manner: “The Seventh Principle of Unitarian Universalism (UUism) calls us to affirm and promote ‘respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.’ More than just a recognition of ecological interdependency, our seventh principle calls us to recognize that human beings are part of this mutuality. Too often the ‘environmental movement’ and the ‘racial/economic justice movement’ have been seen as competing with each other. Environmental justice is the recognition that the same paradigm of dominion that has led to global warming also reinforces economic and racial inequities. Only by seeking solutions that address both can we solve either.”

What we do

We assert that we have a right to a livable climate, which requires keeping fossil fuels in the ground. This claim of rights empowers and emboldens us to take principled actions, make sacrifices, and take risks. We focus on Education, Movement Organizing, and Campaign Action. This is our story.

Education

We reach out to our congregation, as well as to the community at-large, to encourage all people to step farther toward engaged and responsible living, as they are able. Recognizing that levels of awareness and commitment are varied, we host public events:

Movement Organizing

We encourage a network of climate justice groups at other congregations and communities. We support these groups as we together develop into a movement:

  • Participate in inter-faith conversations, for example, a discussion of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical on climate change with St Paul’s Episcopal Church of Bedford, MA.
  • Sponsor MA Interfaith Coalition on Climate Action.
  • Endorse MA Power Forward Coalition.
  • Support those of us acting in civil disobedience with the Civil Disobedience Affinity Group.
  • Share our story with a slideshow to other congregations who would like to do similar.

Campaign Action

We work creatively to advance our goals:

  • Act in civil disobedience to protest pipeline constructions, such as against the West Roxbury Pipeline.
  • Participate in Anti-Pipeline Rallies & Marches, such as the protest against Spectra in Dedham and the Milton (NH) Day parade.
  • Participate in rallies at the Boston State House for legislative climate action.
  • Support FPB’s projects as a Green Sanctuary.

Who we are

We are members of the First Parish in Bedford (FPB) who have been meeting twice a month as a Climate Justice Group and taking action. To hear our voices, listen to Climate Moments done by FPB Climate Justice Group members during our worship services. FPB supports a climate organizer, Evan Seitz seitz.evan@gmail.com, who guides us as we organize into a wider movement.

Join us

We welcome new participants at any level of involvement. Feel free to join us at meetings and events! Contact Climate Justice Group Chair, Renu Bostwick (renu.bostwick@gmail.com) or Climate Justice Organizer, Evan Seitz (seitz.evan@gmail.com)

Calendar

[calendar id=”952″]