From the Climate & Environmental Justice page on the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) website: “The Earth is sacred. Our communities are interconnected. And our future depends on how we respond—together. Climate disruption affects all of us, but some communities are hurt worse than others. Marginalized communities are hurt first and worst by climate disruption and are often least resourced to adapt and respond to changing climate conditions — and that’s usually by design.”

“With deep roots in extractive systems of harm, systemic oppression, and exploitation, climate justice is an intersectional justice issue that we must respond to as a complex crisis with the same root causes as the systems of oppression we fight so hard against.”

“Climate justice calls us to respond with urgency and moral clarity. Honoring the interdependent web of existence, we commit to cultivating communities of care so that all beings can flourish and thrive. This is not simply an environmental issue. It is a spiritual and ethical commitment to one another and to the Earth itself.” (uua.org/environment)

We are creating a new UUBerks Environmental Justice Team (EJT) that will benefit our church community as well as the surrounding community of Reading and beyond. 

Mission of the UU Berks Environmental Justice Team

• The goals of sustainability can best be achieved by creating awareness and encouraging individual and collective action and leadership through education. 
• The UU Berks Environmental Justice Team will educate the church and local community about the interconnectedness of the environment, economy, and society and will promote ethical behavior, responsible citizenship, collaborative partnerships and leadership with the goal of achieving a sustainable, equitable, and just global society.

Goals of the UU Berks Environmental Justice Team

• Promote sustainability literacy.
• Expand sustainable practices.
• Address the systemic challenges of irresponsible production and consumption, environmental degradation,unjust and inequitable social and economic infrastructures, policies, and practices.
• Encourage collaborative efforts in the common pursuit of addressing systemic challenges.  

  The Environmental Justice Team’s first meeting is Sunday, Nov 15 at noon at the First UU Church of Berks County.  If you are interested in action or working through the Green Sanctuary 2030 process, please let Connie know!  (cammaran@ptd.net)