Ecology

Water is a sacred gift that is essential for all creatures—the very lifeblood of Earth. Water also has rich cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions. It is a prominent symbol in our Christian faith stories, both in scripture and in rituals such as baptism.
Yet, water is increasingly threatened by over-consumption, pollution, and privatization. Access to water and water quality are both at risk. Because of this, water is a vital concern within many Canadian, First Nations, and global partner communities. As a church, we affirm that the need we all share for the Earth's fresh water must take priority over any commercial value.

Information and Action

• Global Partnership Water Survey Report [PDF: 14 pp/250 KB]
  A 2004 summary of surveys of United Church global partners on water issues, including a wealth of quotes from partner organizations.
• Water: A Sacred Gift
  Resources from KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives including stories, facts, and news about water issues and concerns about bottled water.

Water in Focus Resources

Resources for study, worship, and reflection: Waters of Life: Issues, Ethics, and Actions: Five Study Sessions for Faith Communities and Living Covenant: Water as Metaphor in Lenten Worship. See also Living Water Workshop Rotation [RTF: 13 pp/232 KB] and Using Water as a Metaphor with Children in Worship [RTF: 6 pp/147 KB].

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Related Partners and Programs

The United Church works in partnership with organizations in Canada and around the world to address the issue of climate change, including the following:

• Ecumenical Water Network (global)
  An initiative of Christian churches, organizations, and movements, with the World Council of Churches, who have joined hands to protect people's access to water, raise awareness in churches, and promote ecumenical action. It provides Lenten and seasonal reflection, education, and action resources, including Seven Weeks for Water.
• Network Uniting Hands for Life (UMAVIDA) (Bolivia) (Spanish-language website)
  UMAVIDA is a network of churches and people's organizations working on the "Water Is Worth More than Gold" campaign to protect water from contamination and depletion by mining activities.
• Vikas Adhyayan Kendra (India)
  VAK is involved in research, education, and advocacy aimed at empowering people and their organizations to protect water.

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Conference Connections

United Church communities work on climate change through a variety of initiatives at the local and regional level. Here follow a few examples from several Conferences:

• Alberta and Northwest
  One Congregation's Actions to Save Water: Actions taken by Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta, to conserve and protect water.
• Hamilton
  A Guelph-based group continues to fight Nestlé corporation regarding the exploitation of Aberfoyle Springs.
• Manitou
  The North Bay KAIROS Group has done successful work with congregations on campaigns around water.

For more information on initiatives in your local area, please contact your local Conference office.

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Background, Resources, and Links

• The Council of Canadians
  Includes campaigns to ban the bulk export of Canadian water and head off the gradual commodification and privatization of this priceless, public resource.
• Blue Planet Project
  A global initiative to build a movement to secure the right to water and sustainable solutions to the global water crisis.
• Inside the Bottle
  This Polaris Institute website features news and campaigns on the struggle against water bottling companies around the world, including an interactive map tracking bottling plants.
• Sea Sick
  "The ocean is sick," says Alanna Mitchell, because we are altering everything about it: temperature, salinity, acidity, ice cover, volume, circulation, and, of course, the life within.
• The Water Observatory
  A good general source on water issues, particularly those related to globalization, trade, and privatization.

For more information, contact:

• Joy Kennedy
  Program Coordinator, Poverty, Wealth, and Ecological Justice
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4069
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4069
  E-mail: Joy Kennedy