This page displays a collection of articles, reports, interviews, book and anthology excerpts, PowerPoint presentations, and presentation transcripts on environmental and sustainability related ethics, values, principles, spirituality, and religion.

Our decisions to promote sustainability and protect the environment are influenced by our ethical concepts.
Many people, especially in poor and developing countries, are being directly affected today by climate change and other environmental problems (even though we may not be experiencing these same problems ourselves). Many people feel that spirituality or religion help establish the values that are needed to address these problems. Similarly, our values support the creation and enforcement of environmental laws and policies that treat people fairly regardless of race, culture, or other socio-economic factors. Ethics are also at the core of most concepts of environmental stewardship.

Core Concepts of Sustainability Advocacy. Article by Dennis Church. Just as with democracy, we're likely to get the future that we deserve. Nobody else will save us. We must save ourselves. This follows directly from the near total dysfunctionality of our institutions and the failure of our elites to take responsibility for the general welfare of society. Perhaps, more carefully stated, the only way to return our institutions to the functionality we need is to fix them ourselves. Article >>

The Ethical Gourmet. Book excerpt by Jay Weinstein. More and more of us want to ensure that what we eat doesn't deplete resources, cause animal or human suffering, or lead to pollution. At the same time, we also want delicious food. The Ethical Gourmet is a guide for finding and cooking environmentally friendly and ethically produced foods. Book Excerpt >>

A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism And Our Planet's Future. Book excerpt by Roger Gottlieb. A Greener Faith examines religious green activism in the U.S., but also looks at Zimbabwe, Taiwan and the Vatican. The approach is ecumenical, encompassing Jewish and Christian theologians who have found a powerful biblical call to stewardship of God's creation, and Buddhist teachers who are prompted by their belief in compassion to extend care to the natural world. Book Excerpt >>

Liberating Faith – Religious Voices For Justice, Peace, And Ecological Wisdom. Book excerpt by Roger Gottlieb. The Liberating Faith anthology shows how religion has joined with and learned from movements for social justice, peace, and ecological wisdom. Containing voices from a multitude of traditions, national settings, and perspectives, this book is an introduction to global religious social activism. Book Excerpt >>

The Living Universe: Our Supreme Test and Time of Initiation. Book excerpt by Duane Elgin. Excerpt from Ch 7: Humanity Is Halfway Home in Elgin's visionary new book - The Living Universe. "The nonliving view of the universe has led to rampant materialism and global environmental degradation. To transform our planetary crises we need to move past a paradigm of separation and exploitation and learn to live sustainably on the Earth." Book Excerpt >>

Marvel at Wild Animals – From a Distance. Article by Chris Palmer. Discusses the recent killer whale attack on it's trainer at SeaWorld and the broader issue of keeping wild animals in captivity. Palmer talks about the complexities of the interaction between humans and wildlife, both in and out of captivity, and the effects of how animals are portrayed in the media. Article >>

The Oxford Handbook Of Religion And Ecology. Book excerpt by Roger Gottlieb. The Oxford Handbook examines the interaction between religion and ecology. Explores traditional religious concepts of and attitudes towards nature and how these have been changed by the environmental crisis, looks at larger conceptual issues that transcend individual traditions, and examines religious participation in environmental politics. Book Excerpt >>

The Power And Promise Of Humane Education. Book excerpt by Zoe Weil. Critical world problems call for education that addresses the values and behaviors that perpetuate suffering, oppression, and destruction. Humane education does this. The Power And Promise offers teachers clear suggestions for implementing humane education in both classrooms and non-traditional educational settings. Book Excerpt >>

Present Value, Future Value: Intergenerational Ethics In Water Supply Planning. Article by Eric Rosenblum. In 1746 Benjamin Franklin warned, "When the Well's dry, we know the Worth of Water." As difficult as it is to anticipate thirst in the midst of rain, it is even harder to appreciate today the needs of generations yet unborn, and to provide for them. Article >>

Supreme Court Gets It Wrong With Animal Cruelty Ruling. Article by Chris Palmer. Disagrees with the Supreme Court decision that pits the Animal Cruelty Act against the First Amendment right of freedom of speech, and explains why he thinks the Court made the wrong decision. Article >>