Ecology

During its history, The United Church of Canada has addressed various aspects of energy in policy, study, and advocacy, including the ecological and social justice dimensions of nuclear power, fossil fuels, hydroelectric developments, conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy sources.

Currently, the church employs an integral approach in which current challenges and future options for physical energy are viewed within the broader context of the inter-relatedness of all life. Developments in ecological theology and ethics are opening our eyes to the ways in which energy use is linked to the ecological crises facing the Earth, the health consequences for us and future generations, the global justice implications, and the more profound levels of spiritual well-being for us in relation to other species and to our Creator.

News and Updates: Nuclear Wastes

One focus for The United Church of Canada is that of the ethical problems related to the long-term management of nuclear wastes. The church is currently making submissions to the Government of Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) that is considering options for the storage of the radioactive, toxic wastes generated by nuclear power.

The United Church believes that human societies must bear a responsibility toward the Earth in its wholeness. Therefore, human societies must learn to live in a much more ecologically integrated manner within the Earth community, drawing on energy sources in ways that do not damage ecosystems or compromise the capacity of the Earth to meet the needs of current or future generations.

We also believe that energy policy in Canada should be based on publicly stated ethical principles, and should shift away from the strategy of expanding supply through energy megaprojects to focus more on managing demand and development of renewable, alternative sources.

Given this framework, the church believes that nuclear fuel wastes must be viewed in a holistic manner as an issue within

• the complex of problems in the nuclear fuel cycle
• the international problem of nuclear wastes, particularly in the context of Canada's export sales
• the risks of proliferation of military applications for nuclear materials
• the question of the future of nuclear power

View the complete submissions to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization:

• Submission 1 [PDF: 35 pp/287 KB]
  United Church of Canada General Comments on Nuclear Wastes and the Work of NWMO (December 2004)
• Submission 2 [PDF: 21 pp/74 KB]
  Commentary on a United Church of Canada Ethical Lens for Viewing the Problem of Nuclear Wastes (March 2005)
• Letter to Prime Minister Martin (November 2005)
  The response of the United Church to the NWMO Report, Chosing a Way Forward: The Future Management of Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel.

Policy Statements

• Energy in the One Earth Community: Current Challenges and Future Options for Use in the Canadian and Global Contexts
  This policy statement adopted by the 37th Council of The United Church of Canada (August 2000) provides an integral view of energy in its ecological and social context. Along with the policy statement itself are included a report, reference materials, suggestions for practical implementation, a workshop outline, and Bible study.

For more information, contact:

Joy Kennedy
Program Coordinator, Ecological Justice
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4069
E-mail: Joy Kennedy