{"id":14576,"date":"2015-07-01T13:27:28","date_gmt":"2015-07-01T17:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/?p=14576"},"modified":"2015-07-08T11:52:45","modified_gmt":"2015-07-08T15:52:45","slug":"act-for-a-livable-climate-action-of-immediate-witness-passes-at-2015-uua-general-assembly-by-doris-marlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/act-for-a-livable-climate-action-of-immediate-witness-passes-at-2015-uua-general-assembly-by-doris-marlin\/","title":{"rendered":"“Act for a Livable Climate” Action of Immediate Witness Passes at 2015 UUA General Assembly by Doris Marlin"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Doris<\/a>As heat records were being\u00a0set for the month of June in Portland, Oregon, Unitarian Universalists were stepping up to leadership for a Strong and\u00a0Compassionate Global Climate Agreement in December 2015. \u00a0The 10+-person \u201cAct for a Livable Climate\u201d<\/a> Clipboard Team\u00a0collected 500+ signatures that led to the overwhelming Action of Immediate Witness adoption by the 2015 General Assembly\u00a0Delegates. \u00a0UUs arrived at GA energized, with 15 organizations already in support of the action. \u00a0In a wave of yellow cards\u00a0signally YES, UUs overwhelmingly adopted \u201cto unify and provide ethical and moral leadership for climate action and to do so\u00a0within our congregations and within our multi-faith communities;\u2026participate \u00a0in and support mobilizations [locally &]\u00a0nationally such as the Moral March for Climate Justice in September 2015 during the Papal visit to \u00a0Washington DC, pressing\u00a0our government to act urgently and responsibly;\u2026in support of [and conclude] a strong, compassionate, fair, ambitions,\u00a0binding and enforceable international climate agreement. Why? \u00a0Because Climate Change is a Moral Issue.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Marching in with the Banner Parade was “Act for a Livable Climate” stickered onto the proud banner carriers.\u00a0\u00a0The image of the earth engulfed in fire and Ice was the visual for\u00a0\u00a0this Action of Immediate Witness (AIW).\u00a0\u00a0Through an AIW the General Assembly delegates express\u00a0convictions grounded in UU Principles and for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), other UUA leaders, congregations, districts, and Unitarian Universalists organizations to use as a basis for public statements on the matter and are urged to act on it.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With over 4500 UUs representing 600+ Congregations, the “Clipboard Team” went to work, live and remotely at the UUA General Assembly.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0Step 1:\u00a0\u00a0File the Proposal.\u00a0\u00a0Based on two months of collaboration, and building on a similar effort from\u00a0\u00a02014,\u00a0\u00a015 organizations endorsed the proposal.\u00a0\u00a0The text and how to help comment was shared via facebook, GoogleDocs, Commit2Respond, the UU UNO Climate Portal, and the UUSJ website, so that UUs would \u201cArrive Energized\u201d in Portland.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Step 2:\u00a0\u00a0Be Visible and Gather Signatures.\u00a0\u00a0A team of 16+\u00a0\u00a0began to pound the pavement.\u00a0\u00a0Forty-six hours later, 500 signatures were submitted, exceeding the minimum required 150 signatures from at least 25 congregations, from at least 5 districts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our team who came from congregations coast to coast were welcomed into the Workshops to share the call for support and pass out literature and stickers.\u00a0\u00a0The UU Ministry for the Earth booth was our home base and our strongest supporter.\u00a0\u00a0In no time, supporters sporting stickers were in every direction you looked.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Step 3:\u00a0\u00a0Be in the Top 6.\u00a0\u00a0After the\u00a0Friday,\u00a05 pm\u00a0deadline to submit our petitions we had to wait.\u00a0\u00a0The commission had an open meeting and delegates could observe the deliberation process starting at\u00a09 pm.\u00a0\u00a0The text message arrived at\u00a010:40 pm\u00a0Friday\u00a0night.\u00a0\u00a0Act for a Livable Climate had advanced to the Top 6 to be considered by the delegates\u00a0on Saturday\u00a0morning at\u00a08:15 a.m.\u00a0sharp. \u00a0I was still awake rehearsing and refining the 2 minute speech – just in case – just like Dr. Jan Dash told me to do. \u00a0I sent out an immediate alert to the team to be ready to rally support as the delegates entered the in General Session IV\u00a0on Sat. morning.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Step 4:\u00a0\u00a0GOTV, then wait.\u00a0\u00a0It was all over by\u00a08:40 a.m.\u00a0on Saturday\u00a0morning, the compelling presentations for all six AIWs, the votes cast for up to 3 choices by every delegate in the hall and on line.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Closing with the words, “Don’t Betray Our Children, a moving sentiment expressed in the Workshop by Kathleen Dean Moore, Transformation without Apocalypse:\u00a0\u00a0A Moral Response to Climate Change, held the day before.\u00a0\u00a0The delegates were moved.\u00a0\u00a0At\u00a0noon, we learned we had made the cut!\u00a0\u00a0E-mail to the clipboard team,\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMeet in the back of the Meeting Hall for Group Hug!”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Step 5:\u00a0\u00a0Mini-Assembly opportunities for revisions.\u00a0\u00a0Fifty people joined to make final touches to the document.\u00a0\u00a0Most compelling were the addition of \u201call species,\u201d, acknowledging \u201cecological disruption\u201d and important language of inclusion for first nations and the vulnerable, especially given that our GA included a special climate justice witness event with the Lummi Nation, blocking the Gateway Pacific Coal Terminal from their sacred lands.\u00a0\u00a0The complicated issue of population growth was not included, especially since the growth areas are not in the nations contributing the greatest carbon footprints.\u00a0\u00a0The session allowed welcoming of \u00a0the voices and values that would more broadly represent the delegates of GA because it\u2019s the delegates who own the action and are responsible to carry it out.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Step 6:\u00a0\u00a0Amendments and Adoption:\u00a0\u00a0Sunday\u00a01:30, more speeches, more discussion, more procedure<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0There was a line of eight persons ready to speak in support, but yielding time to the compelling AIW for Black Lives Matter was the choice of the delegation, and all discussion closed. With a sea of waving Yellow Cards in support, \u201cSupport a Strong, Compassionate Global Climate Agreement in 2015 – Act for a Livable Climate\u201d was adopted by the 2015 General Assembly.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0And now the real work begins.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This is the last chance for a Global Climate agreement.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pope Francis has done his part since one of the purposes of his \u201cEco\u201d Encyclical was to raise urging awareness for an Agreement.\u00a0\u00a0Now let\u2019s do ours.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0This AIW fortifies UU voices to ask in every Climate Justice conversation we have, for a Strong and Compassionate Agreement.\u00a0\u00a0We are sending the message locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to governments that we are united and serious in America about Climate Justice.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Our ambition is a Global Climate Agreement, and this takes root in our local efforts.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0See you on\u00a0July 11th, 9 am, All Souls Church Unitarian to get started.<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cThe Clipboard Team\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
\n
Name<\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Congregation<\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Marti MacKenzie<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Towson<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Mt. Vernon<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Frank Corsoro<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Arlington<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Liz Echols<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Davies<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
John Gubbings<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Cedar Lane<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Lavona Grow<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Arlington<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Linda Dove<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Harrisonburg UU<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Bill & Zophia Repsher<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
UU Fairfax<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Rev Peggy Clarke<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
EJ Collaborary<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Larry & Sally Underwood<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Bull Run<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Penny Hooper<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Smyrna, NC<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
MJ Schmelzer<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Arlington<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Larry Danos<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
San Francisco<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Rev. Terry Ellen<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Towson<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Lavona Grow<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Arlington<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Bob Denniston<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Arlington<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Eric Goplerud<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Fairfax<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Bob Hartfield<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Fairfax<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Jan & Lynn Dash<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n\n
Monmouth County, NJ<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
I\u2019m sure I missed some, sorry.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
THE ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
UU Minister’s Association<\/div>\n
\u00a0UU Service Committee<\/div>\n
UUs for Social Justice in the National Capital Region (UUSJ)<\/div>\n
\u00a0UUMFE – UU Ministry for the Earth<\/div>\n
\u00a0Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry<\/div>\n
\u00a0Environmental Justice Collaboratory<\/div>\n
\u00a0Climate Change Action Team, of the UU Congregation of Monmouth County, Lincroft, NJ<\/div>\n
\u00a0Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS), Virginia<\/div>\n
Green Team of Bull Run UU<\/div>\n
\u00a0UU Church San Francisco<\/div>\n
\u00a0Green Souls, All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington DC<\/div>\n
\u00a0Ethical Eating Committee, All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington DC<\/div>\n
\u00a0Unitarian Coastal Fellowship Green Sanctuary Committee<\/div>\n
UU Congregation of Loudoun, VA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As heat records were being\u00a0set for the month of June in Portland, Oregon, Unitarian Universalists were stepping up to leadership for a Strong and\u00a0Compassionate Global Climate Agreement in December 2015. \u00a0The 10+-person \u201cAct for a Livable Climate\u201d Clipboard Team\u00a0collected 500+ signatures that led to the overwhelming Action of Immediate Witness adoption by the 2015 General … Continue reading “Act for a Livable Climate” Action of Immediate Witness Passes at 2015 UUA General Assembly by Doris Marlin<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1313,16],"tags":[1441],"class_list":["post-14576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary","category-environment","tag-act-for-livable-climate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14576"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14618,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14576\/revisions\/14618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uusj.net\/wp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}