From the UU Justice Action Newsletter: More than 500 mountains and 1.5 million acres of land have already been destroyed by mountaintop removal coal mining and Appalachian coalfield residents face frequent catastrophic flooding, pollution, and loss of drinking water. Residents and supporters from across the US are asking for an end to mountaintop removal and an investment in sustainable economic alternatives for Appalachia.

The latest issue of the UUMFE newsletter is now available online. Articles include information and ideas for Earth Day 2010, the launch of UUMFE's Environment and Justice 'Green Papers,' news about partner grants for Districts, congregational stories about 'ethical energy,' and much more. Check it out!

The Resources tab, your path to resources to help you and your congregation take action, was renamed "Take Action" and all the Earth Day information was moved. The Earth & Spirit tab was renamed Reflections. We removed the tab for "Environment & Justice" because it applies to all of our actions. We added a new tab to consolidate the list of publications and online resources we recommend. Some stories allow comments. To comment on a story, please log in on the Home page with a username and password.

For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this year, we are inviting UU congregations to join us in lifting up the role our faith can play in making the production and consumption of food more just. We make daily decisions of what to eat, and every bite is an opportunity to vote for justice. We’ve put together information and suggestions on issues ranging from the field to the table, with links to congregational stories, worship materials, ideas for actions in your own community. You’ll find practical resources such as Order of Service covers and Eco-Hero certificates.

Dear Friends,
We have some good news to share – UU Ministry for Earth has received a grant of $9,650 from the UU Funding Program, which will allow us to continue our work around environment and justice. We need your help to cover the UUMFE portion of the program budget. UUMFE needs to raise about $7,000 to meet our commitment to make environment and justice resources available to congregations.

Due to the overwhelming response, registration for this course is closed. UUMFE is providing a free online course led by Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive, an experienced facilitator of online workshops. Picture this: You are standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Our Earth’s story opens beneath your feet; you are peering down into nearly two billion years of planetary history. Yet the worldview that frames the culture beyond the Canyon walls, the ‘cosmology’ that most of us were raised in, claims that the world was created in six days some six thousand years ago.

Now it's time to focus directly on the people making the policy! Recommend Action: Call the White House on Monday, December 7th! Set up a Call-In Table during coffee hour this Sunday (before Copenhagen) so people at your congregation can easily contact the White House to share their support for strong and just climate action! Talking points and info on how to set up a call-in table are available on the UUA website at http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issues/environmentaljustice/climatechan...

Bill McKibben and his 350.org team orchestrated a wildly successful International Day of Climate action on October 24. Now UUs have another opportunity to join the world from December 11–13 in a weekend of climate action – “The World Wants a Real Deal” – during COP-15, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. In partnership with tcktcktck and Global Climate Campaign, 350.org is organizing candlelight “Vigils for Survival” around the world on Friday, Dec. 11 or Saturday, Dec. 12.

The 350.org International Day of Climate Action is coming up on October 24th! More than 50 congregations all over the country are participating in actions. For more information on UU participation in the International Day of Climate Action, please visit our Issues & Actions 350 page and read more to see how the UUA is publicizing this important day.