EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Two, Number Four March/April 1993 CALL TO ACTION: FOR AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ECONOMY AND PROTECTED ECOSYSTEMS "The Economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Environment . . . An environmental ethic will evolve when society comes to consensus on a certain conduct necessary to sustain the society." Former Senator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin), Sept 1992, Minneapolis. What does this "conduct necessary to sustain our society" look like? How should we direct our new President and Congress to act? Here are some suggestions for a letter writing party (or campaign) for your church's ecology core group. Let your Congresspersons and President know what you want. Jobs for the Environment, by investment in: Urban Transit - environmentally sound systems rather than highways Intercity passenger rail networks Cutting edge technologies like photovoltaics and wind turbines. Energy efficient federal buildings Energy efficient housing Waste reduction and recycling in paper and packaging industries Water pollution control infrastructure and technology as part of upgrading the Clean Water Act Super-efficient automobiles, with tougher fuel economy standards for car makers Protecting Our Biosphere Sign and ratify the Biodiversity Treaty for effective international action to curb the destruction of biological species, habitats and ecosystems. Strengthen the social justice and environmental provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Encourage worldwide environmental protection through the World Bank, and treaties regarding Global Warming, Ozone, and Arctic Pollution Cleanup. Protecting Our Endangered Ecosystems Most Endangered Ecosystems — executive order giving Endangered Ecosystem status to the Sierra Nevada, Northern Rocky Mountain region, and Alaska's coastal rainforest. Ancient Forests — legislation to protect our remaining old-growth forests in California and Pacific Northwest, including assistance such as job retraining, to timber dependent communities. Tongass National Forest — executive order cancelling the 50 year timber sale contracts under which taxpayers are subsidizing the destruction of our largest temperate rainforest. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — preservation as wilderness with permanent protection from commercial exploitation. Coasts — executive order placing a 10 year ban on leases for oil and gas drilling off sensitive coastal areas. Wetlands — tougher protection of wetlands in a renewed Clean Water Act, to stop annual loss of 300,000 acres of vital habitats to urban sprawl, and mining. Endangered Species — reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act without weakening, to help prevent destruction of species at a rate of 27,000 every year. Mining — reform of the 1872 Mining Law which allows "hard rock" minerals such as gold and silver to be mined for free, without requiring restoration of the environment. Adapted from America's Environmental Priorities, Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th St, New York NY 10011. Home     Table of Contents