Unitarian Universalists are reminded of their responsibility to the Earth by the UUA’s Seventh Principle:

“Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

Like many other initiatives, First U’s commitment to Environmental Justice isn’t created on paper. Instead, it evolved from years of concern by UU’s for the endless attacks on our environment.
Lately, two projects encourage First U members to reduce global warming by installing energy-saving devices and encouraging church members to advocate for environmental justice.

LGE-KU – More Solar and Less Gas

As of 2022-23, the Environmental Justice Team is working against the local utility LG&E-KU’s effort to build two new gas-fueled power plants – a project that would force Kentucky to continue burning fossil fuels for electrical power for at least the next 40 years. Here is a summary of what LG&E-KU is hoping to do:

“LGE-KU has filed case 2022-00402 with the Public Service Commission to shut down multiple fossil fuel electric generation units.  LGE-KU are requesting these be replaced with only a small amount of solar and 2 new gas-fired turbines.  Their own parent company, PPL, did a study last year showing they could build 5 times the amount of solar (4,200MW instead of 877MW) LGE-KU is requesting.  Go to the following link to see how to email the PSC saying you support the, “Increase Solar to 4,200MW Initiative. Copy and paste or customize as you wish.” Click here.

The Solar Array Project

It’s not something that members, visitors or guests notice when they enter First Unitarian Church. The solar arrays are settled comfortably on the building’s roof, carefully positioned to catch the sun’s rays and convert them to energy. Installed in October 2013, the first solar array of 10 panels is evidence of how this congregation chose to invest in the future by becoming a responsible member of the community, reducing our dependence on energy produced from fossil fuels. Destructive mining practices, including mountaintop removal mining, coupled with overwhelming evidence of the health hazards resulting from burning coal are social justice issues that the congregation could not overlook.

Before adopting solar energy the congregation undertook efforts to reduce everyday energy consumption.

Since 2010, the church has:
 Installed 56 solar panels on the church roof.
 replaced older appliances with new energy-efficient models;
 installed LED lighting throughout the church building;
 installed solar shades in rooms;
 collected cans and other scrap metal to fund the purchase of energy-saving appliances;
 monitored heating- and cooling-usage on its 10 thermostats and LG&E’s Smart Device.

The solar system has two separate smart devices to monitor solar energy collection. One of these devices has a website that allows the congregation to monitor the collection, while enabling educational opportunities for the whole community to use to demonstrate the effectiveness of solar energy.

These efforts don’t just support the church’s needs on Sunday mornings. The church complex, which includes both the church and Heywood House, are occupied seven days a week. The building houses non-profits, and hosts weddings, musical events, meetings and other functions for non-profit groups and others throughout the year.

These actions align with the core values of Unitarian Universalism and is a way to bring our faith into the world. By adopting solar energy collection and modifying building equipment to save energy, we are setting an example for our congregation, our community and other Louisville-area faith communities that might be considering how they could also reduce their carbon footprint by using sustainable energy sources such as solar.

The Team for the Seventh Principle

In June of 2020 Board to authorized the Team for the Seventh Principle. They called for this new group because they recognized:
 The fragile and interdependent state of our Earth and all living things;
 The need to protect and maintain the quality of our common life-giving natural resources such as water, soil, and air;
 The need to join with others to bring forth a sustainable society based on respect for our planet and all its life-giving resources; and
 Our universal human rights to a clean environment.

After detailing the numerous environmental problems facing the world, we concluded that First Unitarian Church members support the Seventh Principle and share its concern for the planet.
The Team will involve the congregation in several areas:
 Make our sacred space environmentally sound,
 Encourage members to use environmentally sound principles in their lives, and
 Work in the broader community to support efforts for environmentally sustainable world.

Make our sacred space environmentally sound by:
 Increasing reliance on solar panel output
 Submitting monthly energy usage reports in online church newsletters
 Creating a “green use” of the church instruction sheet for church members and renters.

Encourage members of the congregation to:
 Attend Sunday service for Earth Day,
 Participate in Louisville Earth Walk
 Read periodic updates in the church bulletins

Work in the Broader Community through:
 Kentucky Unitarian Universal Justice Action Network (KUUJAN)
 Louisville Climate Action Network (LCAN)
 Kentuckians for the Commonwealth’s voter registration (KFTC)
 Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light (KIPL)
 Louisville’s Renewable Energy Alliance (REAL)

We’d love to have you join us in this important work. Contact justiceministry@firstulou.org for information on meetings and other gatherings.
IMAGE BY: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/image/seven-principles-wheel