Democracy issues will “not go gentle into that good night.” Too many of us are ready to “rage, rage, against the dying of the light” of our democracy, even if it feels feeble at times and meager for the task of illuminating an uncertain path into the future. A path increasingly obscured by trends toward … Continue reading Ken Mitchell on The Look Ahead For Preserving Our Democracy
“Freedom Is The Path And The Destination” – Tammy Johnson This exclusive session comes to you due to requests by UUSJ’s general membership for more training and educational programming, specifically for more racial justice engagement, and to explore implications for our policy efforts. Though often used interchangeably, equality and equity are quite different. If … Continue reading Equity Mapping with Tammy Johnson
[Editor’s Note: Donna Scheidt is a member of UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team. This is adapted from her introduction at last month’s UUSJ webinar on the Moore v. Harper case that included Becky Harper, Common Cause NC, and a named party in the pivotal redistricting case concerning the balance of powers, and Chris Shenton, attorney, Southern … Continue reading Living One’s Faith and Values
I joined the Minneapolis Community Environmental Advisory Commission in 2012 as a part of an effort to diversify the commission and refocus it toward public health and community resilience. Another new member was Rochelle, a community activist from North Minneapolis, which has the highest poverty rates and largest concentrations of indigenous people and people of … Continue reading Meleah Houseknecht on Environmental Justice: Using Our UU Principles as a Theological Guide
Is homelessness as intractable as it would seem in this country? Homeless encampments are found at the intersection of widespread poverty and an array of failed federal tax and spend policies. There were over 550,000 homeless individuals in the United States in 2021, the government estimates. Most advocates consider this a significant undercount since it … Continue reading Homelessness
By Elizabeth Mount To begin, to start, to create, to undertake, To grow, to promise, to increase, to generate. All these are our birthright. As we are created, so may we create. The ability and the choice to create is sacred. To withdraw that chance from any person without their permission Would be a violent … Continue reading The Right to Choose
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a global platform established to respond to climate change by investing in low-emission and climate-resilient development. The fund also assists vulnerable societies in adapting to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Climate-related extremes have affected productivity in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Droughts, floods, wildfires, and marine heatwaves have affected … Continue reading Climate Policy Loses If Green Climate Fund Becomes Political Football
UUSJ has advocated for reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, especially their detention and other enforcement activities, after several years of significant increases. The FY22 budget proposal just out May 28 for all of DHS is $52 billion, unchanged from last year. That may seem disappointing but the truth … Continue reading Flat Funding for the Department of Homeland Security FY22
David Shilton, Environmental Action Team Convenor The EPA Announces Phase Out of HFCs The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced proposed rules to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) over the next 15 years. HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that are used in most refrigerators and air conditioners, and they tend to leak out into the atmosphere over … Continue reading Good News for Stopping Climate Change
Many UUs participated in the recent UUSJ Action Alert, asking President Biden, key Administration officials, and representatives in Congress to commit to funding this country’s fair share of the Green Climate Fund. UUSJ joined other UU organizations, faith groups, and citizens in highlighting the United States’ moral responsibility to aid poorer countries suffering the effects … Continue reading How President Biden’s Climate Finance Plan Measures Up to UUSJ Demands
