On Firstday (Sunday), May 15th Miami Friends Meeting approved the following statement:

Draft SEYM Statement on Climate Change and Environmental Protection

Faith statement on Care for the Earth

It is our experience and testimony that the Light, Life, Love, and Wisdom of God calls us to preserve and protect the Holy creation of which we are part. It is contrary to the Spirit of God to waste or exploit nature on human greed or vanity. We are called to be good stewards of the earth, to live simply and sustainably, with care and reverence for all creation, preserving earth’s biodiversity and abundance for future generations.

Therefore, we call on all our members of Congress, members of the Florida Legislature, the Governor of Florida, and local governments to uphold and enact laws, regulations, and policies that protect our natural environment from pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.

We ask you to uphold the integrity of our environmental agencies and protect public lands. The environment belongs to all of us; it is the role of government to preserve it for future generations and defend it against exploitation by private economic interests.

Urgent Action is needed if we are to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change.
All reputable scientists agree that Climate Change is real, and is caused by increased carbon emissions mostly from burning of fossil fuels. This threatens all life on Earth. Our glaciers are melting, our seas are rising, and our ecosystems are suffering disruption from a warming climate, seasonal weather changes, and more pests and diseases. Climate change is already threatening our economy, impacting our food supply, and causing flooding of coastal communities.

We ask our government to support society’s transition to clean energy sources, and redirect subsidies from fossil fuel industries to support displaced workers and communities impacted by the transition to clean energy.

Clean energy is the energy of the future. Countries and communities around the world are proving that alternative energy and sustainable practices are not only viable, but can be a boon to economies. Clean and sustainable sources of energy are now readily available and comparable or cheaper in cost than fossil fuels. Solar and wind power create more jobs than fossil fuel industries.

In faith and unity,