Reading Monthly Meeting

Minute on Sustainability

(Approved February 16, 1997)

We recognize that all lives, and the earth and its resources that sustain us, are gifts from God. We reaffirm that our Testimonies, Concerns, and Queries as considered together can help us realize the stewardship needed to sustain our communities as part of the larger world community. We recognize that each of us has a part in seeking ways to sustain our world community and the earth for future generations.

We advocate an open, inclusive dialogue among all that use and receive the earth’s resources to find ways of ensuring sustainability. Since many paths may lead to the Light, we recognize that openness to diversity and differing viewpoints can foster opportunities for awareness and revelation. We actively seek dialogue among all sectors of our society, including religious groups, environmental groups, professional groups, agricultural, business and commercial interests, community groups, government agencies, schools, families and individuals. Each of us alone has, at best, only part of the answer. We affirm that, although some things are being done to foster sustainable living, much more is not only possible but essential. Living sustainably as part of the natural ecosystem requires that all of us, no matter what our role in society, examine ourselves, be open to new possibilities, and make positive changes to ways of living that recognize limits and minimize waste.

We believe history can help us achieve positive change if we carefully consider past mistakes and successes in the context of today’s level of science and technology. Knowledge is the key to insuring that we really are effecting positive change, and not repeating past mistakes.

We, as meetings and individuals, should lend support to the best of our ability:

• to professional groups, and associations of business, industry and agriculture that start or follow sustainable or “green” ways of doing things;
• to educators, institutions and activities that strive to raise scientific literacy among all segments of our communities;
• to community and environmental restoration initiatives that seek open dialogue and inclusive solutions to community and environmental issues; and
• to components of government that support efforts toward sustainability.

Further, each of us as individuals should examine our own lives and make whatever changes we can. We believe that corporate sustainability can ultimately be realized if each of us does whatever small part we can to increase our own awareness, and to reduce waste.