Environmental Justice Program

Background

The WAC environmental advocacy dates back to the Legislative Principles adopted in 1991-1992, with a specific statement on environment. The WAC involvement with the 1987 Churches’ Apology to Native Americans embodies strong environmental justice values as well. In terms of public witness, WAC denominational leaders also signed a statement to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day in 1995.

In 1999, the WAC Environmental Justice Program was established. Specific program initiatives included:

• Ecumenical Environmental Contacts Group
  The WAC called together a group of judicatory representatives to explore ecumenical relationships in the context of environmental work. This evolved into the steering committee for the Washington Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign.
• Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign
  Part of a national interfaith effort, now present in 18 states, the campaign seeks to:
  • Educate faith communities in Washington on global climate change
  • Develop religious community advocacy voice on the issue
  • Inspire stewardship activities in our congregations and institutions that reduce our contributions to global climate change.
• Moral Deliberation on the Columbia River
  Working with the Umatilla Tribes’ “Home for the Salmon,” the Catholic’s Columbia River Pastoral Letter process, and the Lutheran Public Policy Offices in Oregon and Washington, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the WAC helped to convene two separate sessions of moral deliberation, creating a “safe” public forum in which participants explored the issues of endangered salmon and dam removal.
• Partnership for Religion & the Environment
  In an effort to deepen relationships with secular environmental groups, the WAC has participated in this partnership. In addition to co-sponsoring vigils and events on the topic of spirit and environment, this work has led to coalition involvement on environmental health and toxics, ancient forests, water policy, and salmon.
• NW Inter-religious Collaboration on the Environment
  Beginning with a consultation in August 2001 among religious leaders from Oregon, Washington and Montana, this initiative documents the existing body of work on religion and environment in our region, and affirms the need for stronger religious leadership on environmental stewardship. In Washington, it ultimately, it weaves the “moral deliberation” model and earth stewardship teachings into the deepening of inter-religious relationships. Leaders at the consultation also affirmed the need for an annual regional gathering to further our collective education and collaboration on our most pressing environmental issues