Environment Council of Rhode Island

Whereas the universal desire for a peaceful life in a healthy environment embraces the deepest hopes of Rhode Islanders, and

Whereas there is a direct connection to peace between humans and peace with our environment, and

Whereas conflict is a natural part of human interaction, and

Whereas war, the violent resolution to conflict, continues to inflict enormous environmental damage, and

Whereas mankind will learn to use nonviolent conflict resolution to resolve our differences or face the potential for the global destruction of humanity and the environment, and

Whereas industrial activities that support warfare are a major source of highly toxic pollution, and

Whereas military spending diverts significant resources from addressing environmental concerns, and

Whereas, as long as the US Government accepts war as an acceptable means for resolving conflict, environmental damage will be a penalty we will pay for security, and

Whereas, there is currently a bill before both Houses of Congress to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence to ensure that U.S. Government incorporates nonviolent conflict resolution as a core operating principle in all domestic and foreign activities,

Therefore, ECRI advocates that the Rhode Island Congressional delegation support the legislation to Establish a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence per Senate Bill: S 1756 and House Bill: HR 3760.