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 Religious Principles of Environmental Justice GreenFaith has written and adopted a set of religiously-based principles that guides our advocacy and environmental justice work in New Jersey , and that may be helpful to religious institutions as well as individuals as they consider their involvement in environmental justice advocacy. GreenFaith calls these guidelines: "Called to Protect the Earth." We believe these principles are consistent with the teachings of the world’s great religious traditions. "Called to Protect the Earth": Principles for Advocacy 1. The Earth as the Beloved Creation and Possession of the Divine Consistent with the world’s great religions, we affirm that E arth is the creation, possession, and gift of the Divine. Creation has an intrinsic value that cannot be defined solely by its usefulness to humanity. While the material world does not capture the full extent of the Eternal, GreenFaith affirms that the earth and the entire cosmos are a sacred blessing, a sign and embodiment of the generosity, creativity and power of the Holy. GreenFaith’s advocacy will reflect this sense of the earth as creation and possession of the Creator with an innate worth and destiny. 2. Humanity as Steward Commanded to Care for the Earth In relation to the earth, humanity’s primary role is that of a steward, reflecting an understanding that we are embedded in earth’s web of life, and therefore steward an earth to which we also belong. Stewardship is a service that humanity is commanded to offer to all creation, a multi-generational trust to protect the earth as a sacred commons for life present and future, and not for short-term selfish use. Our advocacy will support the strengthening of this ethic of stewardship 3. Environmental Justice, Environmental Racism All people suffer from environmental degradation, but the poor around the world suffer its worst impacts. In the United States , research shows conclusively that people of color and the poor suffer the impacts of environmental harm disproportionately. GreenFaith strongly affirms, consistent with the values of compassion and justicepresent in every world religion, that the Divine commands humanity to care for the poor and vulnerable, protecting them from environmental injustice, racism and harm. We will advocate for policies that ensure that an unfair burden of environmental harm does not fall on those most vulnerable communities. 4. Protecting All Living Things and the Web of Creation Consistent with our belief that the entire cosmos is an embodiment of the creative power of the Holy, we affirm that humanity is commanded to protect the diversity of the natural world, through protecting different forms of life and the ecosystemsthat support them. Recognizing the serious threats that some forms of human activity pose to the earth, we will advocate for policies that support the protection of endangered life forms and ecosystems. 5. Uncertainty, Precaution and Consumption We recognize that scientific uncertainty sometimes exists in the process of environmental decision-making. In taking our positions, we will rely on a preponderance of scientific evidence, relying on data gathered by groups whose objectivity and credentials are well recognized. We also affirm that uncertainty does not justify inactionenvironmentally, particularly in cases where the risk to human health and the environment seem probable. Because of the extent and magnitude of current environmental threats caused by humanity, we affirm the Precautionary Principle as a basis for our advocacy. This Principle, in recognition of current serious environmental threats, calls on society to exercise caution and prudent restraint in environmental decision-making and the production and consumption of resources. The Principle also calls for decision-makers to meet human needs and to protect the rights of workers, local communities and the general public, in a manner that causes the least environmental harm. We find this Principle consistent with the world’s religious teachings concerning the dangers of impulsive over-consumption, and which link spiritual and moral maturity with moderate, ethical use of earth’s resources. We will advocate for policies that support a precautionary approach to environmental planning and decision-making. 
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"Growing up in the Ironbound neighborhood
in Newark , I experienced firsthand the impacts of environmental
injustice. Although I felt a great sense of pride for my
hardworking, diverse community I could never shake the deep
sense of resentment about the degraded conditions we lived
in – the abandoned sites, foul odors, lack of greenspace..." |
