This resolution was unanimously adopted at the UUCB Congregational
Meeting on 2000-01-30.  It will be forwarded to UUA as part of the
Study/Action Issue process.

More information, including full text of the SAI, is on our web page:
	http://bcn.boulder.co.us/uuc/env/


   UUCB Resolution on "Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative"

Whereas in 1999, UUA committed to a two year process of study
	and action related to "Responsible Consumption as a Moral
	Imperative";

Whereas irresponsible consumption endangers our future as it wastes
	raw materials and precious resources, depriving people in
	other countries as well as our own future generations;

Whereas the United States and Canada, although technologically
 	advanced countries, are among the most materially wasteful
 	societies in the world.  We are caught up in a consumption
 	treadmill that is morally questionable and that is not
 	sustainable; yielding to the blandishments of the marketplace,
 	we buy, build, and consume more than we require--frequently
 	many times what we need;

Whereas UUCB has long supported the seventh principle of the UUA,
 	"Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which
 	we are a part", which is one of the underpinnings of the
 	Responsible Consumption Study/Action Issue;

Whereas in 1998 we passed a resolution supporting the formation
	of a group to work on environmental issues, including
	toxic pollution;

Whereas in the last year we have enjoyed three discussion classes each
	lasting about 9 sessions with a total of about 30 enrollees,
	studying the curricula on Voluntary Simplicity and Deep
	Ecology from the NorthWest Earth Institute;

Whereas we have had two full services and elements of several
	other services dedicated to these topics in the last year,
	the text of which is available on our web site, along with
	other helpful pointers;

The UUCB Congregation hereby

	Strongly endorses this study/action issue, commends it to our
	sister congregations, and looks forward to a strong, clear and
	meaningful Statement of Conscience next year;

	Commits to continue to study these issues and to find and
	pursue effective responses at the individual and
	congregational levels;

	Encourages congregation members, UUCB and the UUA to focus on
	ways to advance the Reduce/Reuse/Recycle philosophy and the
	preferential purchase of responsibly made products such as
	those that are recycled/recyclable, efficient, organic,
	renewable, etc.;

	Requests that the UUA seize the opportunity to take a
	leadership position in this area by providing dedicated staff
	and funding for coordination with other organizations with a
	similar focus, for the development of a Green Sanctuary
	project along the lines of the Welcoming Congregation model,
	for development of an associated children's RE curriculum,
	etc.;

	Recommends that these efforts focus on positive, inspirational
	messages; providing education and encouraging openness rather
	than evoking guilt; recognizing that different people are
	under different constraints and are at different points in
	this journey.