July 28th , the UN General Assembly voted 122-0 (41 countries abstained from voting) to declare that clean drinking water and sanitation are human rights essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights.  The declaration noted with deep concern that almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water and more than 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation.  UN member states and international organizations were called upon to offer funding and technology to help poorer countries scale up their efforts to provide, clean, accessible, and affordable drinking water and sanitation for everyone.

Within the last few days, all members of the Nebraska congressional delegation have met together to discuss issues relating to the XL tar sands (oil slurry) pipeline which has been proposed to be routed across Nebraska from north to south, right through the middle of the Sand Hills.  It would be buried as little as five feet deep, and in some cases sitting almost literally on top of the water table, not to mention the rest of the Ogallala Aquifer.  The Canadian pipeline company involved had apparently secured permission from the U.S. State Department for this routing.  The company had applied to the EPA for permission to use thinner than normal pipe and to pump the tar sands at higher than normal pressures.  It is not unrealistic at all to imagine that if this project were to receive final approval, that Nebraska could face its own version of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

A number of 1st UU congregation members have been active in contacting their congressional members and in sending comments to the EPA.  Encouragingly, the EPA has just given this pipeline project its lowest possible rating for its potential environmental impact—that is, EPA is concerned about its impact.  Please contact your U.S. Senators and Congressman, if you have not already done so.  Currently, the Nebraska delegation have raised questions and concerns about the potential for environmental damage.
                      
If you have a Green Tip you would like to share, or if you have an idea for a green project in the church or community, please email or give it to Green Sanctuary Committee Chairs Ken Deffenbacher and Glenn Pollock.