At the heart of Unitarian Universalism is a set of seven guiding principles. The seventh principle—respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part—is especially resonant on Earth Day. It calls us to see the planet not as a resource to be exploited, but as a living, breathing system in which we are deeply embedded.

We are not separate from nature; we are nature. The trees, the rivers, the soil, and the skies are not “out there”—they are within us and around us. Earth Day reminds us that environmental justice is not just about protecting something external. It’s about protecting ourselves, our communities, and future generations.