History of the Environmental Justice Movement at the NCCC History of the Environmental Justice Movement An Enduring Legacy at the National Council of Churches             'Environmental Justice' is an holistic term that includes all ministries designed to heal and defend creation. The National Council of Churches has been working at issues of the environment and justice for over 25 years, through its Eco-Justice working group.  This group, comprised of representatives of more than 25 denominations, serves as the basis for the Eco-Justice program.  This has resulted in a historically consistent commitment to caring for God’s creation by the 35 member communions of the National Council of Churches.  Indeed, the NCCC has been involved for even longer than that. In 1966 they produced a policy statement entitled "Christian Concern and Responsibility for Economic Life in a Rapidly Changing Technological Society" that read, in part, "The rapidly expanding dimensions of man's 'dominion' over the earth and its physical resources calls for new and deeper commitment to the Christian doctrine of stewardship". This is an issue on which the NCCC has spoken consistently and often. Roots in the Historical Black Church The roots of the environmental justice movement perhaps lie deepest with the historical black churches of the Council.  Starting in 1993, the National Council of Churches, along with the six historic Black Churches (African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, National Baptist Convention, America, National Baptist Convention, USA, and Progressive National Baptist Convention), convened a National Black Church Environmental and Economic Justice Summit.  Click here to read more.  Resources: Environmental Racism:  An Ecumenical Study Guide   Learn More: Environmental Justice Home Environmental Racism National Black Environmental Justice Network