Sustainable Living feedback...

 

I figured I'd stick the deliberations in here too, so that people can comment on them here more easily.

 

Deliberations from Debate 1 (Biblical Perspective):

 

1. The youth assembly would like to consider how to develop ideas of eco-consciousness/carbon neutrality. (Such as was evident at the National Gathering)  This might include reducing wasteful useless mailings and developing more transport links such as car sharing, running buses etc

 

2. The youth assembly would like to ask Great Big Resources to investigate ways to use less energy for example: fewer screens, microphones and light and also using acoustic music.

 

3. The National Youth Assembly would encourage the CofS to:

• Slow down the rate of climate change,
• Use the earth’s resources wisely and less wastefully,
• Support vulnerable people most affected by climate change

   

By encouraging congregations to:

 

• Arranging a meeting with the CofS Climate Change Officer & other Eco-congregations.
• Introduce the role of an “Eco Elder” and an Eco-Education Programme.
• Encourage installation of sustainable energy where possible in churches and ensure that future developments are green.
• Eco Audits of church buildings to be part of the Quinquinial visits.
• Encourage the church to consider and provide resources for a focussed “sustainability Sunday”
• Emphasise the need for churches to make sacrifices to become greener.

 

 

 

4. The NYA would encourage the members of the CofS to reduce their carbon footprints in their individual lives by:

• Taking “greener” holidays by using greener transport or avoiding unnecessary journeys.
• Reducing energy wastage in homes & workplaces.
• Investigating greener energy suppliers and fuel alternatives.

 

5. Encourage legislation to enforce better use of resources, less wastage and increase the output to the national grid of renewable technologies. Recognise that nuclear power has a role to play in the current energy climate, but instead of investing more money in a nuclear programme, the money should instead be spent developing greener sources of energy. It should be noted that energy and weapons are separate issues, and the church should maintain its anti-nuclear weapons stance.

6. Encourage the development of greener transport initiatives such as hydrogen buses, urban tolls, free public transport, a tax on “food air miles” and excess packaging.

 

  

Deliberations from Debate 2 (the Power Crisis):

 

1. The Youth Assembly affirms that action needs to be multi-faceted - even though there is no conclusive proof of anthropogenic climate change, we would regard the responsible attitude to be to continue current measures and use revenue raised by taxation in humanitarian aid.

 

 

2. Encourage the church to consider a central fund to grant churches wishing to make their buildings more energy efficient.

 

3. The NYA encourages the UK government to address the issues of fuel poverty as a matter of urgency.

 

 

4. The NYA affirms that, globally, the focus should be towards renewable sources of energy and increasing energy efficiency.

 

5. The NYA believe that we should learn from the examples of other countries’ complementary energy policies and that these schemes should be encouraged worldwide. We emphasise the need for our own country to be as energy efficient as possible before criticising other countries on their energy policies. As such, the NYA would encourage the UK government to advise economically less developed countries on their energy policies learning from our mistakes during the industrial revolution.

 

6. The NYA encourages charities to provide a range of “eco gifts”.

 

 

Debate 3: Sustainable Living (Personal)

 

1.      The NYA would like to see both local authorities and central government lobbied to increase both the availability and convenience of public transport, especially outwith inner city areas. The CofS should actively encourage congregations to lead by example and make more use of these services.

2.       The NYA calls upon the CofS as a whole to make all reasonable effort to reduce the consumption of paper, e.g. in intimations or orders of service. They should look to possible alternatives inc. electronic distribution and recycled paper.

 

3.      The NYA proposes that as God’s stewards we are obligated to educate everyone within the church’s body and community in

a.       The church’s current actions

b.      Further actions that can and should be taken

c.       Practical and realistic ways the changes can be implemented

With regard to living sustainably and for future generations: to promote the benefits of eco-living and in keeping with a positive moral standard

 

4.      The NYA would like to encourage all people (and especially young people) to seriously consider the impact of their consumerism on the future sustainability of our planet

 

5.      The NYA would like the church to understand the extra challenges facing young people with regard to making a difference

 

6.      The NYA believe the church’s future is inextricably linked to the ideal of sustainable living (SL) not simply in forming centres for SL on a local level but also to use its influence in government to bring about change.

 

7.      The NYA believes that the Church has a responsibility to inform its congregation of the current world state and how change can be brought about.

 

8.      The NYA as part of the CofS represents a large body of people, we feel that we have the responsibility to lead by example at a local and national level to encourage and invoke enthusiasm for sustainable living.