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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
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"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.
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Environmental Justice Organizations
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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!
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. 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.
Currently, BUF is a member of this organization.
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 co-sponsored Transition Whatcom's Leadership training
in August 2010.
The UU Ministry
For The Earth
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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
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Nooksack
Pine and Cedar Lakes
Tennant Lake
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UUSC "Plant Justice, Harvest Peace" Totebag
GSP members will be selling the UUSC Resuable Shopping Bags.
GSP members decided that this project helped further our support of a bag
ban in Bellingham, supported the UUSC (as all money made on the bags will
be turned over to the UUSC) and also supported our firm belief in the
interconnection of social and environmental justice issues. Members will
be encouraged to donate old bags to community programs (continuing our
support of such organizaions as Lydia Place) when they buy the new UUSC
bags.
From the UUSC website: "These sturdy, reusable bags are the perfect eco-
and labor-friendly way to promote justice! U.S. and union-made recycled
poly grocery bag, with new "Plant Justice, Harvest Peace" design on one
side. Approximately 13" tall, 12" wide, 8" deep." Price: $5.00
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BUF regularly collects and delivers food donations to area food banks. During February, May, August,
November food donations are delivered to the Lummi Reservation Food Bank. The remainder of the
year, donations are delivered to the Bellingham Food Bank. One service a month, food bins are placed in
the front of the sanctuary for a blessing. Members are encouraged to bring forward their donations
during the offertory. Members are always encouraged, too, to provide organic and local products as part
of their donations.
Bellingham Food Bank Donations
September, October, December, January, March, April, June, July
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Bellingham Food Bank is Whatcom County's largest emergency food provider. Our mission is to reduce hunger in Bellingham
by providing wholesome foods to those in need. We meet this mission by supplying groceries to tens of thousands of hungry
Bellingham families every year. Our food bank is available to anyone living in Bellingham. We operate with a small staff
and more than 200 volunteers who serve our neighbors with dignity and without judgment. Single individuals and families
can visit once a week for as long as they need assistance, and folks typically leave our food bank with 50-70 pounds of
nutritious food. In addition to feeding Bellingham's hungry families, we serve as the main warehouse and distribution
center for all Whatcom County food banks. We also coordinate the Food Bank Farm, Small Potatoes Gleaning Project and
the Garden Project. To learn more about Bellingham Food Bank's programs,
Bellingham Food Bank website.
March 2012
Green Sanctuary's Recipient for the Social Justice Collection
To Be Announced
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Food Donations Go To The Lummi Reservation Food Bank
August, November, February and May
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These months are 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!
To view past environmental events and projects, click here.
The UUA On
Environmental Justice
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Ware Lecture (June 2010):
Winona LaDuke
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LaDuke urges environmental action in
Ware Lecture
By Donald E. Skinner
June 26, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Winona LaDuke invited her audience Saturday night at the Ware Lecture to take
back their country by erecting wind turbines, blocking coal plants and
genetically-modified crops, and, above all, not waiting for someone else to
save the world.
Duke, a Native-American activist, environmentalist, and writer, lives in
Minnesota and is active in many movements to preserve Native American lands,
and slow climate change. She was a vice-presidential candidate for the Green
Party in 1996 and 2000.
Part of the answer to climate change, she said, is to create a green energy
economy on a local scale. "Do not let them take you into the debate that
renewable energy will never meet present demand. We need an efficient economy
that does not transport everything so far and that does not try to feed the gas
tanks of Hummers. We need to liberate our minds from what we believe we are
entitled to. Take more responsibility than just putting in LED bulbs."
LaDuke is also leading a fight to prevent the genetic modification of wild
rice and native corn varieties. "The Irish potato famine should have taught
us that we don't want a monoculture," she said. "Why not raise corn that's
not addicted to fertilizer and pesticides."
She urged her listeners to dig up their lawns and plant gardens. And to think
about those who will come after them. "We are the people who are here now.
Those who are not yet here are counting on us to do the right thing, whether
they have wings or fins or roots or paws."
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There is no other choice, she said. "This is our land and there is no place
else for us to go. I'm going to stay and fight and make it better. Just because
you have privilege and money doesn't mean you can walk away from responsibility."
She added, "Do not ever give up hope. Remember our victories. We fight these
guys and we win. The next revolution will be local. It is possible to make
these changes and it is us who will make them."
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