WATER: THE KEY TO SUSTAINING LIFE:
AN OPEN STATEMENT TO GOVERNING BODIES AND CONCERNED CITIZENS
Water is a vital ingredient for both the diversity of life on Earth
and for human well-being. As people of faith, we are stewards and
caretakers of God’s wondrous creation. As we become aware
of threats to God’s precious waters, we must respond with
action. We must hold accountable those people in positions of power
for the decisions they make regarding our health, well-being, and
continued opportunity for a quality life.
The conservation and protection of clean and safe water is just
one of the many critical issues that is constantly confronting us
and threatening the quality of life for future generations. Water
sustains life not only for humans, but for all of creation. Water
is a fundamental component of the world’s eco-systems and
ensures a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It is our religious
responsibility to preserve fragile ecosystems in wetlands, creeks,
and other riparian habitats.
Water should be viewed as a gift from God for all people, not a
commodity that can be traded for profit. Access to fresh water supplies
is becoming an urgent matter of life and death across the planet
and especially for the 1.2 billion people who are currently suffering
from a lack of adequate water and sanitation. The world is on the
verge of a serious water crisis—one that is leading to conflicts
among people, communities, regions, and nations. All individuals
have the fundamental right to clean water and no one should be denied
access to clean water because they cannot afford it.
As a world leader, we need to set a standard and example on how
to preserve what we have and prepare for the future. We need to
protect God’s waters and guide others by responsibly conserving,
preserving, and distributing this priceless and necessary part of
God’s creation. From the bays, lakes, rivers and streams to
the Great Lakes and to the ocean shores, conservation and protection
should be a priority.
For people of faith, water is an essential element of both our
physical and spiritual life. We understand water as a symbol of
preservation, cleansing, and renewal. Water is an integral part
of the sacrament of Baptism. In Genesis, wells were built near altars
to remind those that passed by of God’s provision. Moses repeatedly
used water when he performed miracles in God’s name in his
effort to free the Hebrews from Pharaoh’s bondage. In John
chapter four, Jesus converses with a Samaritan woman at a well as
she draws water. He explains to her about “living water,”
which if she drinks, “will never thirst again.”
Given the profound religious symbolism of water and our responsibility
as stewards of God’s creation, we call on all levels of leadership—community
leaders, elected officials, business and industry leaders—to
partner with us to protect the sacred gift of clean water. Our leaders
have the responsibility to continue to create and enforce laws that
protect this necessary ingredient for life. Industry leaders and
elected officials need to ensure that strict laws and tough regulations
are in place to control pollution discharge into waterways from
industrial and agricultural facilities. States have the responsibility
to protect their local aquifers, watersheds, creeks and lakes from
pollutants that can contaminate water, deforestation that destroys
eco-systems, and organizations that strive for the privatization
of water. Communities have the responsibility to protect the necessary
human right to clean water as well as to preserve that right for
future generations.
People of faith have the responsibility to protect all of God’s
creation, the gifts that God so abundantly provided.
Sincerely,
Join us in speaking out by signing our Ecumenical
Statement on Water
Questions? Contact Cassandra Carmichael at cassandra@toad.net
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