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

Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation CC receives Best CC of the Year Award for URI-South India sub-region

URI-South India proudly announces that the Indian Dalit Ecumenical CC won the Best CC of the Year award in July 2011. The CC is one of 53 prominent CCs in URI's South India Region. The word ‘dalit’ stands for aborigines. The main thrust of this unit is to develop the conditional of aboriginal people, especially the youth. Many of their programs are related to capacity building.

World Environment Day demands actions, not words

By URI Peace Group of Journalists (URI Kashmir) CC

Muzaffarbad, 5th June 2011

Peace Group of Journalists (URI Kashmir) has called upon all stakeholders, including the government to make a collective effort towards implementing the UN 1997 Kyoto Protocol on the environment. The UN has declared 2011 the World Year of the Forests. At the time of independence, Pakistan had 25% forest cover, but according to statistics this has fallen below 2.5% landmass with forest cover. The 2010 historic flood that devastated Pakistan and the State of Kashmir, leaving behind a trail of destruction affecting 21 million, is largely attributed to deforestation by the timber mafia. It is therefore critical for Pakistan and State of Kashmir to protect the forests before they disappear altogether with serious consequences.