Devoted to improving the relationship between people and planet Earth 

The Earth Ethics Action Team meets one Sunday each month to exchange information and develop plans for WES and WES members to improve the natural environment. Next meetings announcements are sent to EEAT team members and are posted on the WES calendar. You can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending an email to either:

WESEarthEthics-subscribe@googlegroups.com

WESEarthEthics-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

Earth Ethics Team Mission Statement

PRINCIPLE
Members of the Earth Ethics Action Team recognize that we are interdependent with the Earth and all of its constituents, living and nonliving. We believe that safeguarding their health is of paramount importance.

PURPOSE
The Earth Ethics Action Team promotes ethical principles and actions within WES and beyond to improve our relationship to the Earth and all living beings.

GOALS
* Expose WES to ideas and actions in the wider environmental community.
* Connect WES to the religious environmental community.
* Improve WES’s performance in environmental stewardship.
* Provide opportunities for WES members to express environmental awareness and participate in environmental action.

The co-leaders of the EEAT are now:

Linda Silversmith

Terry Smith

Rich Reis

Other core members:

Ann Baker

John Kester

Laura Alethea Briskin

Sue Jacobson

Current projects:

We surveyed the WES grounds to identify places for new trees and optimal tree species for each location to enhance nature. In January 2021, in conjunction with Casey Trees, 3 trees were planted on the WES property. The picture at the top of this web page shows the new redbud tree right after it was planted in front of WES. 

We have and maintain an attractive environmental insect garden at WES to provide habitat for Monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects. We plan to add ornamental perennial plants during spring 2021.

We develop and post blogs on the WES site to promote green living among WES members.

We lead WES in its Earth Day celebration by recruiting speakers on environmental topics and often have tables for letter-writing on issues related to the speaker’s topic.

We gather at a nearby natural area to collect recyclables and rubbish.

Past Projects:

In 2015, we built on past efficiency lighting projects by converting WES to all LED lighting and adding automatic lighting controls to turn off lights in vacant spaces.

On November 22th, 2012, the Washington Ethical Society adopted a new Statement of Purpose partly through the impetus of the Earth Ethics Committee, the former name of the Earth Ethics Action Team, which includes the words: “We nurture a sense of reverence and responsibility for each other and the earth.”

On April 18, 2010, we celebrated 40 years of Earth Day with a 40 days of commitment for 40 members in our congregation stand up for the Earth. Left click here to see the sample actions we suggested.

On May 31, 2009, the membership of the Washington Ethical Society voted overwhemingly to endorse the Earth Charter Initiative. The mission of the Earth Charter Initiative is to promote the transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.
Read WES’ endorsement letter to the Earth Charter Initiative Council here.

In 2008, we created Earth-Keeping: Practical Tips To Save Energy, Resources, and Our Planet