Faith Based Environmental Initiatives in Canada

About: The Canadian Unitarian Council is the national organization for Canadian Unitarians, Unitarian Universalists, and Universalist Unitarians in Canada. Unitarians do not have a central dogma or creed, but strive to be deeply connected, radically inclusive, actively engaged, theologically alive, and spiritually grounded. Unitarians affirm seven principles: inherent worth and dignity; justice, equity, and compassion; acceptance and encouragement to spiritual growth; free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process; peace, liberty, and justice for all in the world community; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Environmental Activities:

• Unitarians have a long history of leading advocacy for social and political change in areas such as the environment, choice and dying, abortion, and women’s rights.
• The Canadian Unitarian Council has been involved in environmental issues since the 1960s and has resolutions and actions plans dating back to 1967 relating to air, water, and soil pollution. More recently, resolutions have addressed climate change, energy issues, and pipelines as well. These resolutions lead to action plans at the congregational level.
• The Environment Monitoring Group develops resolutions, action plans, and curricula, writes letters, and supports congregations.
• An extensive array of educational curricula and worship resources are provided, including web-based mini-workshops.
• In partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association in the United States, the Green Sanctuary Program supports congregational greening efforts.
• Advocacy activities include organizing political marches and letter writing campaigns, for example, about drinking advisories in First Nations communities. A congregation in Vancouver also provided funds for people in eastern Canada to attend the Climate March in New York in 2014.
• Signed “The Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change” (2011)
• In 2015, members were asked to review their congregational investments and divest from fossil fuels.

Staffing:

The Social Responsibility Coordinator’s mandate covers the environment, refugees, and truth, healing, and reconciliation. The Environmental Monitoring Group consists of four volunteers.   

Partnerships:

• Unitarian Universalist Association: https://www.uua.org/
• Citizens for Public Justice: https://www.cpj.ca/

Canadian Unitarian Council