EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Ten, Number Five July/August 2001 CAPITOL RALLY DRAWS ECO-JUSTICE ADVOCATES The concept of human beings as stewards of God's creation united 200 people who rallied for environmental justice on the east lawn of the US capitol May 22. The rally was part of a four-day training event sponsored by the National Council of Churches of Christ for denominational Environmental Justice Coordinators. Three hundred and fifty church folk from 40 states attended the conference.* A major focus was global warming as a religious issue. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) made a surprise appearance at the rally to express his solidarity with participants and his concern about President Bush's energy plan, which he criticized as being "production driven." He suggested that the administration apply the basic principles required by religious faith instead of "relaxing regulations." Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), in her statement read to the rally said, "Our best strategy for dealing with our energy crisis, particularly in the short term, is to increase conservation." Scott Anderson, chief executive of the California Council of Churches, described local efforts to move state and federal policies toward renewable energy sources and away from fossil fuels. He stated that congregations in California are also pledging to reduce the energy consumption of their houses of worship by at least 20 percent, and to advocate for low-income families, so they do not have to chose between food and lights. Excerpt from May 23 news release by United Methodist News Desk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG> Media contact; Joretta Purdue, 202/546-8722. * Following that conference, the Union of Concerned Scientists, with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment and others, sponsored a Climate Education Day. The event brought together scientists, economists, religious and business leaders for discussion and visits to members of Congress. The diverse participants joined in sending a strong message on the need for, and the feasibility of, steps to mitigate human-accelerated climate change. (More information at www.ucsusa.org) Home     Table of Contents