A030
Create Task Force on Climate Change
Topic: Structure
current text |
original text
Committee:
16 - Environmental Stewardship and Care of CreationProposer:
EC Committee on Science, Technology and FaithCurrent version of the text
Resolved, the House
of Deputies concurring, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is
directed to implement a program to develop parish and diocesan resources
designed to support local ecologically responsible stewardship of
church-related properties and buildings. The program shall be
implemented in cooperation with an Advisory Council on the Stewardship
of Creation composed of one person from each province by April 1, 2016.
Each province member of the Advisory Council shall convene, in their
respective provinces, Regional Consultive Groups ("RCG's") on the
Stewardship of Creation. Each RCG shall be comprised of no fewer than
five experts in areas of environmental sustainability appropriate to the
demographic, ecological, cultural and geographic specifics of each
region. These should include, but not be limited to, consultants in
food and water security, property development, alternative energy, and
engineering. Each RCG will also include theologians, educators and
liturgists to provide resources in education and formation.
These RCGs shall:
1. Compile and develop theological and formational material for teaching the theology of stewardship of creation;
2. Create networks designed to share ideas and information for practical application among the regions, such as sustainable development and green conversions of church- related properties, including without limitation, energy audits, solar conversions and other alternative energy, community gardens, and development of fallow property;
3. Be available for consultation to the Dioceses and Parishes.
The Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation shall create a structure for allocation of money to fund RCG initiatives at Parish and Diocesan levels within a year of the 78th General Convention, and serve as the granting body; and be it further
Resolved, that $700,000 be allocated for this purpose, which includes the $500,000 already allocated to the Fifth Mark of Mission, so that $100,000 will be available for the support of the RCGs themselves, and $600,000 be available to provide direct grants to Dioceses and Parishes in the implementation of these programs and support of measurable pilot projects.
Of the $100,000 funding the RCGs, $40,500 is to be allocated for the Task Force meetings. Recognizing that this is new work, and a newly formed taskforce, they shall convene in person for their initial meeting, and thereafter determine their needs for future meetings, with funding available for them to meet once yearly. The remaining $59,500 is to be used for regional meetings of the RCGs according to regional needs; and be it further
Resolved, that the Advisory Council shall report back to the 79th General Convention on the progress and ongoing results at the local and provincial levels.
These RCGs shall:
1. Compile and develop theological and formational material for teaching the theology of stewardship of creation;
2. Create networks designed to share ideas and information for practical application among the regions, such as sustainable development and green conversions of church- related properties, including without limitation, energy audits, solar conversions and other alternative energy, community gardens, and development of fallow property;
3. Be available for consultation to the Dioceses and Parishes.
The Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation shall create a structure for allocation of money to fund RCG initiatives at Parish and Diocesan levels within a year of the 78th General Convention, and serve as the granting body; and be it further
Resolved, that $700,000 be allocated for this purpose, which includes the $500,000 already allocated to the Fifth Mark of Mission, so that $100,000 will be available for the support of the RCGs themselves, and $600,000 be available to provide direct grants to Dioceses and Parishes in the implementation of these programs and support of measurable pilot projects.
Of the $100,000 funding the RCGs, $40,500 is to be allocated for the Task Force meetings. Recognizing that this is new work, and a newly formed taskforce, they shall convene in person for their initial meeting, and thereafter determine their needs for future meetings, with funding available for them to meet once yearly. The remaining $59,500 is to be used for regional meetings of the RCGs according to regional needs; and be it further
Resolved, that the Advisory Council shall report back to the 79th General Convention on the progress and ongoing results at the local and provincial levels.
Explanation
The question of whether or not climate change is occurring is no longer open. Scientists, by broad agreement, see that an increase in the Earth’s atmospheric temperature is driving changes in sea level, storm intensity, and large-scale and local climate instability. The Church has a responsibility to respond on a number of levels to these changes. Church buildings may be lost or relocated. Existing industries may be imperiled, and new industrial challenges will emerge, creating significant economic difficulties for governments and citizens worldwide. There will be significant impact on wildlife. Agriculture will have to adjust to the changing weather and, as it is doing that, food insecurity in this nation and others may expand beyond present levels. All of these factors together will require a coordinated response for which, at present, little planning has occurred.http://www.generalconvention.org/gc/2015-resolutions/A030/current_english_text
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