The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN)

On the Kyoto Protocol

Resolution B022 (see NOTE below)

Environment: On the Kyoto Protocol

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 75th General Convention join the Third Conference on Afro-Anglicanism in support of the Kyoto Protocol; and be it further
Resolved,
That we urge the United States Senate government to sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol and the President to implement and enforce it; and be it further
Resolved,
That we urge all nations on God’s earth to sign on to the Kyoto Protocol.

Explanation:

WE, the participants of the Third Conference on Afro-Anglicanism from countries around the world gathered in Toronto, Canada, 20-27 July 2005, call upon the government of the United States of America to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which sets legally binding targets and timetables for cutting the greenhouse gas emissions of the industrialized countries.
Whereas, the Bible reminds us that God created the heaven and the earth and it was good;
Whereas, in the beginning God blessed the creatures that God made and said to be fruitful and multiply;
Whereas, God made humankind to be God's stewards over creation, we should honor that mandate in a responsible manner and protect the created heaven and earth for future generations;
Whereas, if we continue with the abuse of God's creation, we will destroy the orderly nature of creation; e.g., most of the world's endangered species may become extinct over the next few decades as warmer conditions alter the forests, wetlands, and rangelands they depend on, and human development blocks them from migration elsewhere; the sea could overflow and cause the disappearance of some nations entirely; salt water intrusion from rising sea levels will reduce the quality and quantity of freshwater supplies; we can expect severe storms, floods, and droughts to continue as predicted by scientists; higher temperatures are expected to expand the range of some dangerous "vector-borne" diseases such as malaria.
Resolved, That we urge all nations on this God's earth to sign and implement the Kyoto Protocol.

Submitted by 

• The Rt. Rev. James L. Jelinek (Minnesota)

NOTE: This resolution was acted on by at least one House but it did not complete the entire legislative process before Convention adjourned. This resolution did not become an act of Convention and is considered rejected although D098 gave the Secretary of General Convention authority to refer this resolution to the Executive Council or to a CCAB (Commissions, Committees, Agencies and Boards).

The EpEN is a national network of active lay and clergy persons within the Episcopal Church, USA, who share a common concern for the environment and a common belief in the presence of God in all Creation and who work to make these concerns and beliefs known throughout all Provinces and Dioceses within the church.  Members come from around the Episcopal Church USA.  The activities of the EpEN are focused on the areas of Reflection, Education, and Action. 

If you would like to contact any of these groups or to find out more about the EpEN, please click on the links on the left.