Environmental Concerns

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action CA89.08.108

Passed by the 1989 Churchwide Assembly in Chicago, Illinois.

Resolved
To affirm the concerns expressed in the memorials of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Missouri-Kansas Synod, Minneapolis Area Synod (formerly known as West Metropolitan Minnesota Synod), Western North Dakota Synod, and North Carolina Synod;

To encourage all members, congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization to discontinue wherever possible the use of non-biodegradable polystyrene foam products and other non-biodegradable and non-recyclable products for their activities;

To encourage a reduction in use and increase in the recycling of paper products, as well as the use of recycled paper wherever possible;

To encourage the development of a national policy for recycling waste and the strengthening of international agreements that would accelerate the phase-out schedule of chemicals, which contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion, maximize the recovery and recycling of these chemicals, and assist developing nations in dealing with the economic implications of such action;

To express concern for toxic chemical victims and refer the memorial of the Western North Dakota Synod to the Division for Social Ministry Organizations for response through the Inter-Lutheran Disaster Response Program; and

To request the Division for Social Ministry Organizations to include the concerns raised in these memorials in its advocacy efforts.