One of UUSJ’s priority issues is the environment and climate change. Man-made climate change may have added to the disaster in West Virginia. USA Today reported that “The part of the USA that includes West Virginia has seen a 71% increase in extreme precipitation since 1958, according to the National Climate Assessment.” Flooding is exacerbated by extraction and fracking in parts of West Virginia, which adds to the soil being unable to handle heavy storms.

Climate change has impacted and will continue to impact the most vulnerable communities in the US and around the world as sea levels rise and extreme weather increases. No matter what the cause, we need to learn how to respond, adapt and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather and climate change. We will deepen our understanding of these issues and be in conversation with staff at the UU Congregation in Charleston who have been addressing these concerns in West Virginia.

Lavona M. Grow, UUSJ Board Chair

Ideas to take action:

• plate collections and provide a direct donation link from your congregation’s website.
• like and become a friend of the UUC Charleston’s Facebook page (on your personal and congregation’s Facebook accounts)
• spread the word send a tweet through your social media networks, provide a link to the UUC Charleston Facebook page and use the twitter hashtag #WVFloods
• we can plan a future work trip or to deliver supplies… it’s less than six hours from the DC area Let us know if you are interested by contacting Elizabeth at info@uusj.org
• save clothing for later delivery to West Virginia

Read about other efforts to help at USA Today.