| This
section outlines some of the official statements on religion
and ecology. It is divided into four subsections:
1. Early Statements on Religion
and Ecology
2. Official Statements
on Religion and Ecology from Religious Organizations
3. Official Statements
on Religion and Ecology
4. Church Related Organizations
Working with Environmental Issues
The statements listed here are reflective of some of
the current statements on religion and ecology. It is
not meant to be an exhaustive listing of all statements
on religion and ecology.
Global Forum, Moscow: January 1990
(Obtained Through the National Religious Partnership
for the Environment)
“Preserving and Cherishing
the Earth: An Appeal for Joint Commitment in Science
and Religion”
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
1991
“The Joint Appeal in
Religion and Science: Statement by Religious Leaders
at the Summit on Environment”
Union of Concerned Scientists 1992
“World Scientists’ Warning
to Humanity”
Buddhism
Statement Prepared by Kevin Fossey
Buddhism
Faith Statement on Ecology
Daoism
The China Daoist Association
Daoist Faith Statement
Indigenous Traditions
Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER)
Environmental
Capacity-building Initiatives for First Nations
First Nations Environmental Network
“Voices
for Mother Earth”
Statement Submitted by
Thomas Banyacya
Hopi Message to the United Nations General Assembly
Jainism
Statement Prepared by Dr L. M. Singhvi for
the Institute of Jainology
Jain Faith Statement
Judaism
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL)
“Mission
Statement”
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL)
Resolution On Energy And Environment Priorities
Interfaith Climate Network
Let There Be Light: Energy Conservation and God's
Creation
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
JCPA Statement on Climate Change
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
JCPA Statement on Environmental Leadership and Justice
National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council
Statement on The Protection of Biological Diversity
Statement Prepared by Professor Nahum Rakover
for the
World Jewish Congress
Jewish Faith Statement
Shinto
Statement Prepared by the Jinja Honcho
Shinto
Faith Statement
Christianity
National Council of Churches (NCC)
Eco-justice
Working Group
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
“Mission
Statement”
World Council of Churches
Justice,
Peace, and Creation Concerns
“The Earth’s
Atmosphere: Responsible Caring and Equitable Sharing
for a Global Commons”
“WCC Statement to
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change COP3”
"Churches for Water in Africa"
Interfaith
Council for Environmental Stewardship
The Montserrat Statement (Buddhist and Christian)
Joint Appeal by Religion and Science for the Environment
“Declaration
of the ‘Mission to Washington’”
Note that official statements and resolutions are defined
differently from various denominational perspectives.
Please read the overview pages of each denomination
to gain a clearer understanding of how these statements
are presented and acted upon within the organization.
American Baptist
“Policy
Statements and Resolutions Home Page”
Policy
Statement on “Ecology: An Ecological Situational
Analysis”
Resolution
on “Environmental Concerns”
Resolution
on “Global Warming”
Resolution
on “Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste”
Resolution
on “Individual Lifestyle for Ecological Responsibility”
Resolution
on “Nuclear Power: Seeking Rational Solutions”
Catholic Church
Alberta Bishops Letter on Ecology
(October 4, 1998)
“Celebrate
Life: Care for Creation”
Archdiocese of Santa Fe (October
15–16, 2000)
New
Mexico Religious Leaders Statement to the Interfaith
Climate Change Training Event
Bishops Pastoral Letter (2001)
“Columbia
River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common
Good”
“The
Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the
Common Good: Reflection Guide”
Boston Province Bishops Pastoral
Letter on the Environment (October 4, 2000)
“And God Saw That
It Was Good”
Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP)
“What
is Happening to Our Beautiful Land?”
New Mexico Catholic Conference
“Partnership for the Future”
Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace
“Toward
a Better Distribution of Land”
Pope John Paul
Address to Farmers and Agricultural Representatives
(2000)
“Earth
is Entrusted to Humanity’s Use, Not Abuse”
Pope John Paul
“The
Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility”
Pope John Paul XXIII: Encyclical Letter
Pacem
in Terris: “On Establishing Universal Peace
in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty”
Pope John Paul’s Homily (2000)
“We
Must Be the Custodians of Nature”
Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Roman
Catholic-Eastern Orthodox Joint Declaration on the Environment
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Commitment
to the Environment
Community
Supported Agriculture: Environmental Initiatives
United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB)
Environmental
Justice Public Policy (Brownfields, Energy, Takings,
Climate Change)
“Global
Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the
Common Good”
“Renewing
the Earth”
USCCB
Environmental Justice Program
Episcopal Church
General List of Statements on:
Environmental
Stewardship
Justice,
Peace, and the Integrity of Creation
Land
Use
Episcopal Church Involvement in Special Projects
“Peace
and Justice: Environmental Stewardship”
Other Episcopal Resources
Episcopal
Ecological Network (EEN)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The
Environmental Crisis (1970)
The
Land (1982)
Studies and Other Study Papers
"Can
New Nuclear Weapons Prevent Nuclear War?"
Nuclear
Energy: Problems and Promises (1980)
Church Involvement in Special Projects
Environmental
Education and Advocacy
Greek Orthodox: Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople
Presentations
and Reports from Seminars and Symposiums on Religion,
Science, and the Environment
Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Protocol
No. 765
Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Pope John
Paul II
Eastern
Orthodox-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Environment
United Church of Canada
Energy
in the One Earth Community
Justice,
Peace, and Creation
One Earth Community: A Statement of Ethical Principles
for Environment and Development
United Methodist Church
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist
Church
Statements
on “Animal Life”
Statements
on “Energy Resources Utilization”
Statements
on “Space”
Statements
on “Science and Technology”
Statements
on “The Natural World”
Statements
on “Water, Air, Soil, Minerals, Plants”
Additional related statements about the Natural World
can be found in The Book of Resolutions of The United
Methodist Church (no on-line format available).
Unitarian Universalist
General Resources
UU
Master Page for Actions, Resolutions, and Resources
(1961–2000)
Master
page on “Ecological Resolutions”
General Environmental Resolutions
Resolution
on “Earth, Air, Water, and Fire” (1997)
Resolution
on the “Environment” (1969)
Resolution
on the “Environment” (1971)
Resolution
on “Natural Resources” (1966)
Resolution
on “Protecting the Biosphere” (1989)
“Seventh
Principal of the UU Principals and Purposes Statement”
Energy Issues
Resolution
on “Alternative Sources and Conservation of Energy”
(1981)
Resolution
on “Safer Alternatives to the Alaska Pipeline”
(1973)
Resolution
on “Energy” (1977)
Resolution
on “Nuclear Power” (1976)
Resolution
on “Safer Sources of Energy” (1992)
Resolution
on “Solar Heating” (1979)
Environmental Justice
Resolution
on “Carcinogens in Air and Water” (1976)
Resolution
on “Environmental Justice” (1994)
Resolution
on “Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste”
(1984)
Resolution
on “Toxic Threats to Children” (1997)
Policy Issues
Resolution
on “Problems of Environmental Policy” (1977)
Resolutions
on “United Nations and Earth Day Celebrations”
(1994)
Population
Resolution
on “Choices Affecting Population” (1990)
Resolution
on “Population” (1962)
Resolution
on “Population and Development” (1996)
Resolution
on “Population and the Quality of Life” (1975)
Resolution
on “Population Stabilization” (1973)
Resolution
on “Survival and Population Control” (1970)
Resolution
on “World Hunger and Population Control” (1966)
Additional Denominational Statements
on the Environment
The
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
The Association of Muslim Scientists and Engineers
Guardians of the Natural Order
United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development
Islamic
Declaration on Sustainable Development (pdf format)
The
original draft of the first official Islamic statement
was entitled, the "Jeddah Environment
Declaration." This statement was later renamed
the "Islamic Declaration on Sustainable Development." This
statement is included in the United Nations (UN) World
Summit on Development (Johannesburg, South Africa)
paper entitled, "General Framework of Islamic
Agenda for Sustainable Development Islamic Declaration
on Sustainable Development: Background Paper No.5." You
can download a copy of the document in pdf
format from this website.
Statement Prepared by Hyder Ihsan Mahasneh
for the Muslim World League
Islamic Faith Statement
4.
Episcopal
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
“Mission
Statement”
Episcopal
Power and Light: The Regeneration Project
The Episcopal Working Group on Science, Technology,
and Faith
“Mission
Statement”
Lutheran
Environmental
Education and Advocacy
Presbyterian
Presbyterians for Restoring Creation
“Mission
Statement”
Unitarian Universalist
Seventh
Principal Project
Other Ecumenical Agencies
Eco-Justice
Ministries
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