One of our core principles is respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. As such, we believe in the wise stewardship of earth’s wonders and resources.

Our congregation has a long history of being involved in the environment movement. Indeed, Greenpeace was founded in our Fireside Room in Hewett Centre. 

With the leadership of the Environment Team (also known as the Environment Committee), our community abides by the rule  “Think globally, act locally” with emphasis on acting or action, including protesting and speaking up on major environmental issues. We lobby our government for action on climate change, endangered species, and other major concerns. Many in the congregation also try to simplify their lives by consuming less and spreading the word on issues. We are just like you in that we don’t have all the answers. What we do know is that we are stronger together. By joining the UCV Environment Team, you will give yourself a voice that deserves to be heard.

Our Green Fund provides funding for innovative projects which carry out our environmental sustainability mission through worship, ethical action, education and artistic expression. Most of the funds raised by Environment Committee fundraising events are contributed to the Green Fund and have helped finance ‘Greening of the Church’ to reduce our carbon footprint as well as bring in speakers to our many fundraisers, film screenings, and educational events. 

Unitarians have cared about  environmental issues for a long time. For example, we set up recycling, composting and community vegetable gardens at the church long before it was a mainstream concept! Many older members remember when recycling cans and paper was considered ‘weird’!

For six years, we organized the Oak Street Farmers market on the church’s grounds, the first all-organic farmers market in Vancouver.

Our Team

The  Environment Committee is made up of a diverse group of people with many different interests that intersect in different ways.  Currently, many of us are organizers, peace marshals, or participants in the marches and rallies against pipelines, tankers, and climate change. As well, we organize film screenings, educational events, and fundraising dinners in support of various social justice, First Nations, and environmental groups. (see bottom of page for photos of some events)

We meet once a month to share information and coordinate actions. You are welcome to drop in and get a feel for the way the meetings are run and what topics are being addressed. If you have an item that you would like raised at a meeting, please contact Tamiko Suzuki.  

Forums

We believe in education so we bring in guest speakers to the first Sunday forum of each month. Some topics covered recently: fish farms, youth activism, LNG and fracking, climate change, alternative energy, First Nations issues, mining issues, and the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. speakers and topics we host.

Click here to view past Environment Team forums.

Click here to view Worship Services Related to the Environment

Fundraising lunches

If you like cooking and hanging out in the kitchen, we’d love to meet you! We put on several organic, vegan / vegetarian lunches a year for our Green Fund. By serving these meals, we want to show that eating low on the food chain is not only good for the planet, but do-able and delicious! Working together in the kitchen is also a great way to get to know people on the committee and get the scoop on the latest issues!

Connections

Here is a list of groups and organizations we have supported, co-sponsored or collaborated with (or have commitments for future events).

• BROKE
• Daughters of the Drum
• Greenpeace
• Interspiritual Centre Society
• Klabona Keepers (Sacred Headwaters)
• LEAP Manifesto
• Metro Vancouver Climate Convergence
• Pull-Together
• RAVEN
• Sustaining All Life
• Suzuki Elders Council
• Zero-Waste Canada

Monthly E-Newsletter

You can subscribe to the Environment team newsletter (approximately three times per year) or choose the general monthly e-newsletter from Vancouver Unitarians.

Volunteer with us

— send your offer to environment@vancouverunitarians.ca

Recent Actions

November 2018 Intergenerational Gathering

(pictured: event organizers; Cindy Cashin, Tamiko Suzuki, Tara Bonham, Vivian Davidson, Catherine Hembling, Elizabeth Dunn)