A Note to Readers

IWhat, exactly, is a green building? The term means many things to many people. By and large, a green building is one that applies environmentally friendly techniques and materials to the construction of homes, commercial buildings and other structures. In this issue of the Acton Environmental Newsletter, Rev. Gerald Zandstra examines the ideological underpinnings of much of the green building movement. He argues for a sensible approach that holds forth a genuine environmentalism — one that rightly understands the proper stewardship of Creation.

Elsewhere in this issue we bring you the best of Acton’s environmental commentary and thought provoking articles from across the Web. May your holiday season be evergreen.

You are receiving this publication because you are a regular subscriber to Acton News & Commentary or because you have separately indicated an interest in environmental issues. If you would rather not receive the Environmental Newsletter simply reply to this email with a subject line containing the words “unsubscribe from EN.”

Rev. Gerald Zandstra takes a look at the burgeoning field of “green” construction. Zandstra argues for an approach to environmentally-friendly building that utilizes resources efficiently and responsibly. He writes, “Our homes, businesses, schools, and places of worship should be constantly improving their energy efficiency, strength, and durability. Using less energy, water, and wood on building means that these resources can be used for other human needs.” more...

Moralizing Environmentalist Dogma Is Immoral
by E. Calvin Beisner, Ph.D. and Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Dr. E. Calvin Beisner and Rabbi Daniel Lapin examine the moral authority of many "green" organizations. “The moral high ground is often claimed by and granted to ‘environmentalist’ groups that tend to push a partisan agenda. But citizens need to take a much closer look at the credibility of organizations pushing such dogma before accepting it at face value,” they write. more...

The Answer is (not) Blowin' in the Wind by Anthony Bradley

Wind power advocates are using deception and disinformation to tout what they call a free and environmentally beneficial source of electrical power, Anthony Bradley writes. And what about the effect of windmills – what one observer called "Cuisinarts of the air" – on birds and bats? more...

from the
Acton Bookshoppe

Environmental Stewardship in the Judeo - Christian Tradition
by Michael Barkey, ed.

Published by the Acton Institute and the Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship, this book offers Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant wisdom on the environment.

Where Garden Meets Wilderness
by E. Calvin Beisner

This book details the history of the evangelical environmentalist movement and explores its weaknesses and strengths.

A Proper Christian Approach to the Environment
by Rev. Robert A. Sirico and Rev. Matthew Fox

Acton Institute president Rev. Robert Sirico and Rev. Matthew Fox, president of the University of Creation Spirituality, discuss and debate - from very different perspectives - appropriate Christian responses to environmental concerns. (3 CD set)

In the Liberal Tradition

Girolamo Zanchi
(1516–1590)

“…whatever laws are contrary to God’s honor or contrary to the welfare of human beings are sinful and tyrannical and should not be called ‘laws.’”

Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship, “Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship,” (October 1999)

Designed to spark debate on the critical issues of humanity and the environment, the Cornwall Declaration has been signed by over 1,000 leading clergy, theologians, scholars, and other people of good will. The declaration begins with the recognition that "the past millennium brought unprecedented improvements in human health, nutrition, and life expectancy, especially among those most blessed by political and economic liberty and advances in science and technology. At the dawn of a new millennium, the opportunity exists to build on these advances and to extend them to more of the earth's people."

Jeff Edgens, Ph.D., "Charter forests may help end fire threat," Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (6 December 2004)

Dr. Jeff Edgens examines some of the antiquated laws with respect to forest management and some new measures that provide better ways to actively prevent the devastation of forest fires. “Current land management decisions are often based on political considerations, rather than sound scientific management.  Decades of this type of fire suppression has resulted in the build-up of dead and dying wood -- the fuel for future fires,” he writes.

Doug Bandow, “Health Care Without Harm -- or Harming Health Care?” Policy Forum, no. 5 (Fall 2003)

In this Policy Forum, Doug Bandow critiques Health Care Without Harm, a growing organization founded upon an aggressive environmental ideology. Writes Bandow, "Christian activists in the area of environmental and health policy should carefully grasp and understand the theological, philosophical, and moral assumptions and consequences of their efforts. Too often, however, religiously motivated programs of enviro-health policy activism fail to engage in such wide-ranging, critical reflection on these important points."

In the News

“Environmental report paints unfair picture of humans”
by Jordan J. Ballor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Using clergy as political props”
by Rev. Gerald Zandstra, Orange County Register