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Principles of Ethical Government: The Environment and Sustainability
Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (2)(f) states: Governments and members of society have an obligation to exercise responsible stewardship of the earth, thereby protecting not only the wellbeing of their citizens, but also that of both future generations and other citizens of the planet (see D&C 59:18-21 and D&C 104:13-15). We are blessed through our physical and spiritual connections to the earth, and we are accountable for treating it in a manner that honors the creator. Further, our treatment of the earth is interconnected to our treatment of other people. Climate change threatens a wide range of human rights and needs to be addressed through systemic…
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Recycling: The Whys and the Hows
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that in 2017, 35.2% of waste generated was recovered through recycling. Within individual categories, paper and cardboard were recycled at about a rate of 66%, and yard waste/grass clippings were composted or recovered at a rate of 69%. Materials like plastic and glass came in at only 8% and 27%, respectively. Contrast these statistics with the estimated time it takes each of these materials to biodegrade: Glass takes a whopping 1 million years to decompose! Plastic can take upwards of 500 years to decompose, with some types taking less time. Cardboard can take as little as a few months to biodegrade if soaked, shredded,…
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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on Crisis in Syria
April 20, 2018 Syriaâs protracted civil war has decimated the homes, security, futures, and lives of hundreds of thousands. With the allegations of chemical attacks by the Syrian government on Syriaâs own, the conflict has entered a realm where international treaties are disregarded wholesale, the rule of law is mocked and trodden underfoot, war crimes proliferate, and the heinous scourge of war only escalates. When governments alone fail to broker reconciliation, it behooves members of grassroots civic and religious organizations around the world to join the global discussion and, as agents for peace, raise their voices in an effort to reach a resolution. Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) is…
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Food Waste: The Impacts, and Ways to Reduce It
Sustainable management of food is a systematic approach that seeks to reduce wasted food and its associated impacts over the entire life cycle, starting with the use of natural resources, manufacturing, sales, and consumption, and ending with decisions on recovery or final disposal. Sustainable management of food can save money, help those in our communities who do not have enough to eat, and conserve resources for future generations. Building on the familiar concept of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” this approach shifts the view on environmental protection and more fully recognizes the impacts of the food we waste. âMost people don’t realize how much food they throw away every day â from…
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Aging Water Infrastructure and Impacts to Vulnerable Communities
Infrastructure has been in the news a lot over the last couple of years, and not for positive reasons. Across the U.S., roads, bridges, pipelines, and other public infrastructure are in need of replacement and repair. Water infrastructure â our pipes, mains, valves, pumps, treatment facilities, and reservoirs â is also aging. Many of our water systems were built in the 1900s (or earlier!) and are reaching the end of their designed life. Part of the problem is that the initial cost for a lot of water infrastructure was paid for in large part by the federal government in the form of direct investment, low-interest loans, or grants. Today, those…
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Ways to Mitigate Water Scarcity
More than two-thirds of our planet is covered with water, but only a tiny percentage (less than 0.0003%) of that is fresh and available for humans to use. This tiny amount of fresh water is under increasing pressure, not just because of the rising human population and demand, but also because humans have not always been good stewards of water. Water scarcity and water pollution are growing problems across the world. In fact, the UN estimates that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living under âabsolute water scarcityâ even though there is enough fresh water on the planet for everyone if we manage it sustainably. Below are some ways…
