Our environmental justice activities support the Seventh Principle of Unitarian Universalism: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. In following the mission of the PUUC Social Justice Committee, “To foster a more just, equitable, and sustainable world through advocacy, education, support and service in collaboration with the wider community,” the following are actions with which members and friends are involved:
Green Sanctuary 2030
The Green Sanctuary program, as defined by the UUA, provides a structure for congregations to examine their current environmental impacts and move toward more sustainable practices. While the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist congregation achieved Green Sanctuary status in 2009, in 2022 it began efforts toward reaccreditation to recommit itself to reducing its carbon footprint through a series of actions and upgrades in its buildings and practices, and working with the community to expand its impact in bringing about a more verdant and just world. Read more here.
Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) Team
Members of PUUC are on the PREP Team, which is open to residents of Peterborough.
After the passage of the 2021 Peterborough Town Meeting warrant article in which the community decided with (74% of voters in favor) to commit to 100% Renewable Energy by 2050,; The Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) Team was appointed by the Peterborough Select Board and asked to:
- Research and write a general action plan for the community of Peterborough to meet its goals of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable heat and transportation by 2050. The plan will be completed by December, 2022.
- Use our report and findings as the basis for a new energy chapter for the town’s Master Plan.
For the purposes of this plan, the Peterborough Community includes all municipal, residential,commercial and industrial community members. You’ll find more details here.
If you live in Peterborough and would like to join this committee,contactAnne.Huberman [at] gmail.com (Anne Huberman).
Citizens'Climate Lobby
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. In order to generate the political will necessary for passage of our Carbon Fee and Dividend proposal, the organization trains and supports volunteers to build relationships with elected officials, the media and their local community. Membership is free, and it will bring you automatic membership in CCL's local chapter (the Monadnock chapter), plus informative e-mails and calls to action from both the national office and the local chapter. See https://citizensclimatelobby.org.
