Environment

"We act from sound ecological practices to protect and preserve the Earth for both present and future generations." - URI Principle 10
Blantyre CC cleans up Malawi township


By uniting to address the causes and threats to our shared ecosystem, we honor the sacred life that lives in each of us, the water, the soil and in all species.

Examples of our work in this Action Area:

  • During this time of climate emergency, the URI network is stepping up to make a change. URI is partnering with the Faith for Earth Initiative (UNEP) and other local entities to equip Faith Leaders and community members to respond quickly and effectively to the climate crisis. The project will take place in India, Bosnia, and Lebanon in 2021.
  • In the USA, California Interfaith Power and Light CC makes energy and water conservation improvements to their houses of worship, installing solar panels, holding training programs for other congregations, and lobbying state and local governments for stronger climate policies and investments in renewable energy.
  • Forward in Action for Conservation of Indigenous Species (FACIS) introduced a new strategy of bringing people of different faiths to work together to produce organic food through a sustainable farming called "Biointensive agriculture". In the spirit of togetherness, Muslims and Christians in northern Nigeria work together on the same farmland to learn new but simple, eco-friendly methods of farming while also nurturing relationships. So people who were perceived enemies of one another are now friends working to produce organic food to fight hunger and poverty.
Search for Cooperation Circles (CCs) with a focus on Environment

Stories

Protect Mother Nature - Protect Creation

The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), a Cooperation Circle of URI, with faith communities across Australia, is organizing a set of actions as part of a global multi-faith Week of Action from May 3 to 12.

The centerpiece will be large banners placed at iconic places of worship calling on the Australian government to stop new coal and gas projects and provide proper levels of climate finance for countries hardest hit by climate disasters.

6000 Trees Planted

Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation and Rehabilitation Trust (WNRCRT), a United Religious Initiatives Cooperation Circle planted 6000 local tree seedlings along the Lilongwe-Lingadzi River catchment in Lilongwe City as one way of restoring the ecosystem and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Greening Lilongwe City Campaign.

The Mission and Challenges Facing the Ecumenical Fraternity Today

The context we live in today is very different from that of the 20th century, which was when the Fraternity was born. The world has changed, new technologies have been imposed, traditional values have been questioned, violence and corruption stalk us. But we never lost faith, and we continue to bring our hearts to any kind of era that the world is putting to.