Why Environmentalism Matters

Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, stated, “Whatever the nature of any principle may be – in so far as it is understood by anyone – it may be understood by all who take the time to investigate.” (Science of Mind, 26) It is vital that spirituality include an investigation and reverence for our relationship to our environment, not only to each other but to our planet, Mother Earth.

As part of our heightened awareness as spiritual beings on this planet we call our home, it is important to awaken to an understanding of the interplay and impact our presence has upon our planet. Ecology is the scientific study of the environment and the interactions between organisms.

Today with the presence of global warming of growing concern, it is imperative we relate to the environment, our ecology, from a stance of understanding and conscious living that reduces negative impact and promotes a recognition of the interconnectedness of all life. Our presence is significant. Our way in the world determines our planet's future. The Spiritual Enrichment Center’s purpose and mission is to provide educational programs and information that promote conscious living.

To support this intention, the Spiritual Enrichment Center presents the Bioneer Program, an educational program that teaches people how to interface and work with the environment to heal nature and ourselves. This program includes how to determine an individual’s carbon footprint, the measure of impact human activities have upon the environment in terms of the green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Such classes and lectures as these are provided at the Center to promote awareness and invite people to undertake ways of living that reduce our impact upon Mother Earth.

About Bioneers

Bioneers: "Have peered deep into the heart of living systems to devise strategies for restoration based on nature's own operating instructions. They come from many cultures and perspectives, and all walks of life.

Bioneers are scientists and artists, gardeners and economists, activists and public servants, architects and ecologists, farmers and journalists, priests and shamans, policymakers and citizens. They are everyday people committed to preserving and supporting the future of life on Earth. They herald a dawning Age of Restoration founded in natural principles of kinship, interdependence, cooperation, reciprocity, and community.

Uniting nature, culture, and spirit, Bioneers embody a change of heart - a spiritual connection with the living world that is grounded in social justice. Their pragmatic strategies effectively address many of our most pressing ecological and societal challenges.

Above all, Bioneers represent a culture of solutions. Their stories demonstrate that just as people have created the environmental and social problem we face, people can solve them - through a reciprocal partnership with nature. Over and over, they show how great a difference the actions of one individual can make." (Source: http://www.bioneers.org.)

You may wish to attend the
19th Annual Bioneers Conference at
Marin Center, San Rafael on October 17-21, 2008.
To register for the conference, visit www.bioneers.org.

Links

Websites that offer information on ways to
reduce impact upon our earth:

·         Wiser Earth-Paul Hawken’s world-wide web of environmental organizations
http://www.wiserearth.org/

·         Determine your carbon footprint:
http://carbonfootprint.com

·         Determine your ecological footprint: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp

·         Offset your carbon footprint:
http://www.carbonfund.org/site/

·         Eliminate junk mail:
http://www.greendimes.com/stop-junk http://www.obviously.com/junkmail

·         Worldwatch Institute: Independent research for an environmentally sustainable and socially just society.
http://www.worldwatch.org/

·         Environmental Defense Healthy Farms Healthy Food Campaign:
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=103

·         Environmental Defense Action Network: http://action.environmentaldefense.org

·         Environmental Art:
http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=?view=XXX_09NNN/

·         Grist Environmental News:
http://www.grist.org/

·         Earth Policy Institute:
www.earthpolicy.org

·         List of all the local farmers who offer food to the public through the Happy Valley Farm Trail
http://www.clearcreekcsd.com/farm.html

·         Environmental Defense Fund:
http://www.edf.org

·         David Suzuki 
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/

·         Thomas Linzey, The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund:
http://www.celdf.org

·         Amy Goodman, Democracy Now:
http://www.democracynow.org

·         Bioneers: A forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework: http://www.bioneers.org/     

Senator Dianne Feinstein               Congressman Wally Herger
331 Hart Senate Office Bldg           2268 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, D.C. 20510                Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 224-3841                  (202) 225-3076

Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553