Ukrainian National Women's League of America

ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT

Mandate and Mindset

This should be the guiding principle of all UNWLA members as to their thinking and actions with regard to our surroundings - both natural and man made.

We will attempt to implement these principles within the realm of our organization in the following approaches and actions.

1. Raise the awareness of all of our membership of the importance of environmental responsibility. – This is the highest priority.
2. The environmental interest/awareness of every UNWLA member shall extend to but not limited to the following areas:
• Air,
• Food,
• Genetic Manipulation,
• Recycling,
• Soil,
• Waste Disposal,
• Water.
3. The environmental awareness and responsibility of an individiual UNWLA Member should be three-fold:
1. Personal & family,
2. Local, county & national,
3. Global.
4. Suggested/recommended activities:
1. Personal & family: Recycle, recycle & recycle. Conserve, conserve, conserve. Minimize, or if possible, eliminate consumption of disposable containers such as styrofoam, cheap forks, spoons, straws, etc. Be an active participant in your residential area in the sorting and recycling of all trash categories. If there is no such program in your community – get one started. Practice energy efficiency by proper insulation, energy efficient transportation, practical clothing. Do not subscribe to the conspicuous consumption mentality - avoid extravagances.
2. Local, state & national:
• Become familiar with the governing bodies responsible for the environmental policy both on the federal, state and local level.
• Get literature from the local or state government about the activities and requirements of your community.
• Get literature on childrens’ and junior level and disseminate them in your family/school and community.
• Get involved in local tree planting, wildlife preservation, park creation, etc. Write to your representatives about your concerns.
• Share your experiences at the UNWLA meetings.
3. Global:
• Read literature and watch programs about global warming, El Nino, La Nina, hurricanes, tornadoes and their effect on the country and its economy.
• If possible, get collect information about such activities in Ukraine – Chenobyl being a subset of this – cleanup efforts of the Black Sea and the major rivers. Spread and disseminate this information within your circle of friends/acquaintainces & community.
• The internet is an inexhaustible source of this information.

[Note: please refer to our page of links for related websites]
4. UNWLA – Have at least a 10-minute spot at each meeting to a topic of environmental concern. During the year devote one meeting to an environmental/ecological topic. The topics can range from positive to disturbing, from local to global.
5. Information every UNWLA, Inc.Region/Branch should have and make available to their members:
1. Full address and telephone/FAX number of the EPA Regional Office and the name of the top official,
2. Full address and telephone/FAX number of the State Environmental Authority and the name of the top offial,
3. Full address and telephone/FAX number of the City/Township/Community Environmental and the name of the top offial
4. HOT LINE Telephone Numbers for environmental spills and/or troublespots.
6. Suggested Reading(s)
1. Psalm 104
2. "The Canticle of Brother Sun" by St. Francis of Assissi,
3. "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau,
4. "Song of the Woods" by Lesia Ukrainka,
5. "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson,
6. "Earth in the Balance" by Al Gore.