Total Number of Pages: 7
Suggested Title: Energy Policy Statement
Resolution #1001: Energy Policy Statement - Amend
General Church Budget Implications: None
Global Implications: Yes
Add a sentence at the end of paragraph 1:
And as a reflection of our church’s global connection, our United Methodist values are rooted in our common faith and shaped by the diverse contexts and circumstances in which we live.
Modify sentence 3 in paragraph 2:
Confronting global issues such as climate change, energy inequity, and pollution will require international local, national, and international solutions based upon the values of justice and sustainability.
Modify sentence 4 under Paragraph 3 subparagraph 2:
In terms of energy policy, sustainability means harnessing, extracting, utilizing, and disposing of the byproducts of energy sources use that will: ensure adequate resources and opportunity for present and future generations to enjoy a healthy quality of life; enhance local environmental and economic vitality while minimizing impacts on the health of both human and non-human creation; and promote social and intergenerational equity.
Modify sentence 5 paragraph 7:
The burning of fossil fuels causes large-scale pollution and seriously alters the environment by increasing the carbon dioxide content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Insert a new paragraph after paragraph 9:
Generating energy from plant-based materials and food and industrial waste, raises concerns over food security, deforestation, land and water use, and toxic air emissions.
Modify paragraph 10:
Nuclear energy poses significant threats to the life and health of our eco-systems – including humans – for generations. From the extraction of materials on indigenous lands to the safety risks posed in communities near reactors and along transit and storage sites for the radioactive byproducts of nuclear energy, the full life cycle of nuclear energy poses deep challenges to our values of justice and sustainability. There are considerable concerns with regard to the nuclear energy option. The destructive potential of a catastrophic accident involves a great risk of irreversible damage to the environment and all living species. Nuclear waste remains active and dangerous for thousands of yeas. Additionally, the development of nuclear energy possibly has masked ambitions for nuclear armament. The United Methodist Church urges a review of the safety of currently operating nuclear plants, a moratorium on future development, and reaffirms its support for a full phase-out of nuclear production for the purpose of creating weapons.
Modify sentence 1 paragraph 11:
Today, cleaner alternatives to traditional energy sources are available and increasingly cost competitive.
Modify subparagraph 1 to paragraph 11:
1. We support strenuous efforts to conserve energy, and increase energy efficiency, and transition to renewable energy.
Delete sentences 5 and 6 of subparagraph 1 to paragraph 11:
We include under conservation: insulation, co-generation, recycling, public transportation, more efficient motors in appliances and automobiles, as well as the elimination of waste, and a more simplified lifestyle. The technology for such steps is already known and commercially available; it requires only dissemination of information and stronger public support, including larger tax incentives than are presently available.
Modify sentence 2 of subparagraph 2 under paragraph 11:
United Methodists, including churches, annual conferences, general boards and agencies will model energy conservation. by doing such things as: installing dampers in furnaces, insulating adequately all church properties, heating and lighting only rooms that are in use, using air circulation, purchasing energy efficient appliances, using LED lighting and exploring alternative energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
Delete sentence 3 of subparagraph 2 under paragraph 11:
Local churches, camps, and agencies are urged to become involved in programs such as the Energy Stewardship Congregation and Interfaith Power and Light programs, thereby witnessing our shared values of justice and sustainability.
Insert a new subparagph 3 under paragraph 11:
3. We will model rapid transition to clean renewable energy. We urge all Annual Conferences, churches and agencies to develop ambitious, just, and equitable transition pathways for their energy sources to be clean and renewable. Clean, renewable energy is any form of energy from solar, geophysical, or biological sources that is replenished by natural processes at a rate that equals or exceeds its rate of use and is not harmful to our communities and our environment. We urge General Board of Church and Society and United Methodist Women to support its members to advocate for renewable energy policies and practices and the infrastructure needed to make
renewable energy accessible and affordable at the local, federal and global level. We support the development and utilization of appropriate technologies for small-scale, decentralized energy systems; and expansion of the infrastructure needed for cycling, cleaner energy vehicles, public transportation and ride- sharing.
Modify and renumber subparagraph 3 under paragraph 11:
34. We will model sustainable and just energy values.
Modify sentence 3 in newly numbered subparagraph 4 under paragraph 11: We particularly urge the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) to support and fund renewable and energy efficient mission projects.; and we urge the Church Architecture Office of the General Board of Global Ministries to make energy conservation and the use of renewables a prime design feature in new building design and renovations.
Renumber subparagraph 4 to 5 under paragraph 11:
45. We support increased government funding for research and development of renewable energy sources and elimination of fossil fuel subsidies.
Insert a new sentence 2 in newly numbered subparagraph 5 under paragraph 11: We oppose mechanisms such as emission trading to meet targets for emission reductions which often perpetuate environmental injustice with continued emission impacts in countries and communities with fewest resources.
Modify newly numbered subparagraph 6, first sentence under paragraph 11:
56. We support local, regional, and national efforts to provide transition assistance pathways including economic development and training for communities currently dependent on old energy fossil fuel economies such as fossil fuels, nuclear power and large-scale hydro projects.
Renumber subparagraph 6 under paragraph 11:
67. We encourage international lending institutions and aid agencies to promote sustainable and just energy policies.
Renumber subparagraph 7 under paragraph 11:
78. We oppose any energy policy that will result in continuing exploitation of indigenous peoples’ lands.
Renumber subparagraph 8 under paragraph 11:
89. We support national energy programs that do not increase the financial burden on the poor, the elderly, and those with fixed incomes.
Modify sentence 2 under newly numbered subparagraph 9 under paragraph 11: Energy policies must guarantee universal, affordable service access to all consumers, with particular attention to the needs of protecting low-income and rural residents.
Renumber subparagraph 9 under paragraph 11:
910. We support full cooperation of all nations in efforts to ensure equitable distribution of necessary energy supplies, the control of global warming, and rapid development and deployment of appropriate technologies based on renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and water energy generation.
Insert new sentences 2 and 3 under newly numbered subparagraph 10 under paragraph 11: We affirm that while we have common goals, communities and countries have different responsibilities based on their historic emissions and current economic realities. We believe it is a matter of justice that those most responsible for the crisis should bear additional responsibilities and be more ambitious in their targets for emissions reductions and financing for a transition to a cleaner, safer, energy future.
Renumber subparagraph 10 under paragraph 11:
1011. We urge transparency in global energy market transactions.
Renumber subparagraph 11 under paragraph 11 and modify first sentence: 1112. We exhort The United Methodist Church at all levels to engage in a serious study of these energy issues in the context of Christian faith, especially and the values of justice and sustainability.
Insert new sentence 2 under newly numbered subparagraph 12 under paragraph 11: This includes educating our congregants on energy production and usage in relation to global warming, studying the consequences of our consumer choices, taking action to lessen our impact on the environment, and advocating for policies that respond to the growing threat of climate change.
Date: August 26, 2019
The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe
General Secretary
Bishop Sally Dyck
President of the Board
General Board of Church & Society
Phone: 202-488-5629
E-mail Address: gso@umcjustice.org