For the one planet we have
Humanist Climate Action is a volunteer-led network of Humanists UK members and supporters committed to changing lifestyles and campaigning for policies that promote low-carbon, ethical, and sustainable living, in the light of the degeneration of the Earth’s climate and biodiversity. We bring humanists together to take individual and collective action on these issues.
Why humanists care
Humanists are guided by reason and science, and recognise a moral duty towards the welfare of our fellow beings and the natural world. We engage in dialogue and debate rationally and with evidence, and believe that humans are part of a wider natural world which must be treated sustainably for the sake of current and future generations.
For the place of environmentalism in the humanist movement, read Richard Norman’s ‘Why Humanist Climate Action?’
Our aims
- To promote environmentally friendly policies, and support other environmental campaigning groups with similar objectives.
- To promote rational dialogue and debate about the causes of the climate and environmental crises and how to tackle them.
- To encourage humanists to promote environmentally friendly policies and adopt greener lifestyles, following the best available scientific evidence.
- To make sure the humanist voice is heard in initiatives on environmental issues led by religion or belief organisations.
Humanist Climate Action is run by a committee of volunteers.
The Reykjavik Declaration
In 2019, humanists from around the world met in Reykjavik, Iceland, for the General Assembly of Humanists International, and adopted the Reykjavik Declaration on the Climate Change Crisis. Its commitments for the global humanist movement include:
- Basing climate policy on the science, including the scientific consensus that human activity is driving global warming.
- Urgent, globally coordinated action by every country to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
- A global shift to socially and environmentally sustainable ways of using resources and generating energy, with renewables replacing carbon-intensive fuels.
- Protecting wild habitats and species, and making land use and resource extraction sustainable.
- Wealthier countries helping developing countries to meet their environmental obligations.
- Supporting the Paris Agreement, and the scientists, engineers, and activists developing new ways to tackle climate change.
Read the Reykjavik Declaration on the Humanists International website ↗
Get involved
Use our toolkit
Lead a facilitated discussion with your local group or Partner Group about environmental impact, sharing ideas, and making commitments to act.
Plant a tree
Help us plant a ‘humanist forest’: plant a tree, photograph or film it, and send it to us by email or social media.
Write to your MP
Call for action on climate change using our online form, with suggested text. Just enter your postcode.
Support The Climate Coalition
Humanist Climate Action is a member of The Climate Coalition. Find out more about its campaigns.
Join or donate
Become a member of Humanists UK, or support our campaigns with a donation.
Resources
Get in touch
More ways to connect
Sections and networks of Humanists UK.