We Seek an Earth Restored

The World We Seek guides the efforts of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Whether through our team of expert lobbyists meeting with policymakers on Capitol Hill or our grassroots network of passionate advocates building power for the voices of people across the country, these words form a foundation for our work.

So, what does "The World We Seek" have to say about the land we all share, the home of everyone and everything on this planet, the one and only Earth?

The Quaker tradition emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation, grounding our advocacy for environmental stewardship in deep spiritual values and embodying "a love of the natural world and a sense of responsibility towards its care. " The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) seeks to embody the beliefs of Friends as we advocate for a more peaceful and just world.

For Friends, this work is an extension of our witness in the world, honoring the divine in all creation, as Willliam Penn observed more than three centuries ago. Two organizations that have long exemplified this commitment within the Quaker community are Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW) and Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT). Each, in its unique way, reflects the diverse ways Friends engage with environmental justice. QEW nurtures the spiritual connection between people and the Earth, supporting eco-friendly projects. EQAT equips individuals with the tools for nonviolent direct action in the fight for climate justice and economic equality.

"It is our collective responsibility to meet the needs of present and future generations without doing violence to the rest of creation."
- World We Seek

FCNL's World We Seek statement of legislative policy provides a clear call to action for federal policymakers: "it is our collective responsibility to meet the needs of present and future generations without doing violence to the rest of creation." (Section I, paragraph 3). This reminds us that our policies and actions must reflect the sacred, ongoing relationship we have with the Earth.

While we cannot undo the damage already done, we still have the power to choose the right path forward. Environmental concerns are a matter of justice and equity: "addressing both the causes and the destructive impact of climate change is an urgent responsibility requiring all of humankind to act globally, nationally, locally, and individually" (Section 4, paragraph 3). In this urgent moment of environmental and social inequality, we invite you to join us in advocating for policies that uphold the dignity of all people alongside the health of the planet.

FCNL's Legislative Manager for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, Daren Caughron, will be attending the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan during November 2024. Alongside UN delegates, policy experts, and impacted community representatives, he will gather with partners to support international climate financing to build resilience and sustainable infrastructures in climate vulnerable areas. Learn more about COP29 and climate finance and tell your members of Congress how global climate assistance helps both the United States and the world.

We believe that "each person has the right to live a life of dignity with access to basic necessities in a safe and sustainable environment" (Section 3, paragraph 1). Motivated by our faith, we are called to advocate for policies that ensure clean air, water, and a stable climate for all, and we cannot do it alone.

Only together can we build a more just and equitable world where all beings can flourish in an Earth restored.