2007 World Conference Legislation

H-2 Earth Stewardship Committee Report

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:

The Earth Stewardship Committee was formed in response to the 1990 World Conference action (WRC 1224) that called for a standing committee to “consider issues of environment and development and to give guidance to the church.” In this inter-Conference period the committee has focused on updating the work of the committee’s previous efforts, updating the committee’s Web page, and finding ways to disseminate information about earth stewardship to our church members to further the awareness of the committee’s mission and to promote earth stewardship.

Mission Statement
The Earth Stewardship Committee, as a standing committee of the church, holds as its primary concern the identification and promotion of human accountability and responsible behavior toward the earth and its resources in individual, church, and community life.

Goals
The Earth Stewardship Committee was established to address the call for environmental stewardship throughout the world in response to Doctrine and Covenants 150:7: “…The lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the gods of war, greed, and avarice. The land is being desecrated by the thoughtless waste of vital resources. You must obey my commandments and be in the forefront of those who would mediate this needless destruction while there is yet day.” The committee recognizes the need to foster greater sensitivity toward God’s earth through a deeper understanding of human interrelatedness to, and dependence on, the earth and will promote changes and embrace practices that result in a sustainable environment. The committee will help the church become more aware of the issues related to environmentally sound policies and procedures.

In the inter-Conference period, the committee has focused its work on

• updating the Earth Stewardship Web page identifying additional resources for congregational, individual, and children’s use; and
• continuing to promote an awareness of environmental issues through an earth steward checklist, a brochure, a Sunday worship insert, an Earth Day Environment Survey, a Herald article, a World Conference Resolution, and a page in the World Conference program book.

Earth Stewardship Web Page
The Earth Stewardship Web page can be found at: http://home.CofChrist.org/earthstew/. The page contains numerous resources recommended by committee members including: individual, congregational, and campground Earth Steward checklists; brochure; complete report of the Earth Day Survey; online contacts; videos, periodicals, congregational and children’s resources; and related Web sites. This site provides us with information and ideas that can be used to challenge, lead, and inspire all of us to be better environmental stewards.

Earth Steward Checklists
The committee continues to promote the use of the checklists found on the Web page and in the 2007 Conference program book to help implement environmentally conscious/green practices in your homes, congregations, campgrounds, and other areas of your life.

Earth Day Survey
The committee prepared a 2005 Earth Day Environment Survey trying to assess, better understand, and respond to members’ views on environmental issues. The survey is available on the Web site for individuals to fill out online, or to download and return. We received 60 responses: 42 from the continental United States, 1 from Australia, 1 from England, and 6 from Hawaii.

Most respondents to an environmental survey conducted by the Earth Stewardship Committee on Earth Day 2005 felt the Bible calls us to reverence and respect for the earth; that care for the environment is one of the major concerns of our time; and that environmental issues could be better addressed through an international agreement that frames global standards and goals for everyone.

More than one third of the respondents indicated that they would agree to an increase in taxes for the prevention of environmental damage; that congregations would benefit from regular distribution of environmental awareness-raising information from the church; and that specific tools were needed to help them live in more sustainable ways.
More than half of the respondents indicated that stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost, and that human beings should co-exist with nature. That group said they choose environmental products; reuse or recycle items; try to reduce water consumption; and try to reduce energy consumption. Few of the respondents attend environmental meetings or sign letters, while half contributed some money to environmental organizations.

The respondents indicated from their comments that we should have as few governmental regulations as possible. The people, churches, and civic organizations should lead the way to a more environmentally sound stewardship, both individually and corporately.

Earth Stewardship Classes
Dave Heinz taught a class called “Green Congregations—Now” at the 2005 Congregational Leaders Workshop at Graceland University. The following aspects were explored: the reasons and theology for greening; congregational awareness-building and lifestyle; learning and teaching greening; worship helps; and practical congregational involvement. A similar class was taught at a reunion in Australia in 2006. Laurie Romig and Micah Hammac provided the material for a class called “Love the Earth” at Spectacular 2005 at Graceland University. Craig Martens taught an earth stewardship class at the 2005 Singles event at Graceland University.

Other Foci of the Committee

Hybrid Vehicle Proposal
Hybrid cars are reported to be energy efficient, averaging from 32–55 miles per gallon in city driving, especially when the temperature is above 32 degrees. A Kansas City driver reports that his Prius has more than “paid for itself,” plus using less fuel. A Little Rock, Arkansas, member says that his wife’s hybrid has actually made her money on her expense account, with the higher gas prices. The downside is the small gas tank and the higher-priced oil changes, required at the dealership. The batteries are supposed to be expensive to replace but no one we have talked to has had to change one.

Grant Funding Proposal
The committee is still in the market for securing grant funding as a standing agenda item, revisited at least annually in order to review the prospects for securing foundation or other funding to enhance its work capabilities. Anyone having expertise in this area would be welcome to assist us in securing a grant.

Looking Ahead

Doctrine and Covenants 150:7 (printed above), given in 1972, challenges us to take action. We are invited to make use of the earth, but not given permission to exploit it. We are asked to be stewards over the earth, not above it. We want to have an earth that nurtures forever, rather than poisons, our children. We want an earth that is as life giving as that from which Adam came. This requires personal and intentional action from each of us and from our houses of worship to set right the relationship we have with the earth and with God.

Challenge yourself, your family, and your congregation to affirm your relationship with God and to creation, acknowledging its brokenness, and do something to somehow save or improve the planet. To be in the forefront of environmental organizations we must take the time to be actively involved in our local area. What if we could print an article in our local newspaper stating that more than half of our congregations were engaged in good environmental practices—individually, in our homes, and at our church facilities—challenging others to join in the effort? Could we have an impact on cleaning up our communities? Absolutely. Also, we would be growing spiritually closer to God as we became better stewards. We would be showing our children and grandchildren that we want them to have a healthy earth on which to live. Won’t you join in caring for this earth the best you can?

On behalf of the Earth Stewardship Committee, we wish you Godspeed and many successes in these efforts.

Earth Stewardship Committee
Andrew Bolton
Jimmie Andersen
Dayle Bethel
Clifton Curtis
Peter Haines
Micah Hammac
David Heinze
William Horn
Michael Lindgren
Craig Martens
Edward Merz
Gilbert Porter
Nancy Rogers
Laurie Romig