Church of Scientology London Hosts Environmental Awareness Conference

In observance of UN World Environment Day on June 5, Church of Scientology London held an Environmental Awareness Conference and Open House that brought community leaders together from across London.

In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said, “Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose, we can make a tremendous difference.”

Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet.
Consume with Care.

With 1.3 billion tons of food being wasted every year, whilst one billion go under-nourished, and with less than 3% of the world’s water being fresh and drinkable, it is clear that human impact on the planet is draining current resources and threatening life on earth as we know it. According to scientists 150 – 200 species of life become extinct every 24 hours and during 2011 alone roughly one of every twelve elephants was killed by a poacher.

Guest speaker at the event at the Church of Scientology of London was an environmental scientist who gave a presentation about a new technology for waste management developed through his own research. He said:

“Every living organism on this planet needs pure oxygen, water and food. No one has the right to contaminate these vital requirements for life in any way. For the survival of all living organisms, environmental awareness activities such as World Environment Day need to be implemented all over the world. I thank the Church of Scientology for organising this important event, so we can share our knowledge and create awareness regarding the eco-system.”

The scientist has developed “a novel technology for environmental pollution control, a solvent named ‘Room Temperature Ionic Liquids’ (RTILs ).” This can be used in the recovery and recycling of materials from industrial effluent and solid waste, in particular from discarded electric and electronic goods.

An activist who works in the Brixton community helping to encourage moral behaviour, spoke of the relationship between moral outlook and taking care of the environment. She said, “It is a Divine law that mankind should take care of the environment. When an individual understands the importance of moral actions, then and only then will he take care of his environment.” She explained how she uses the booklet, The Way to Happiness, to bring about positive change.   

Tracey Coleman, Community Affairs Officer of the Church of Scientology London, spoke of the Church's commitment to protecting and safeguarding the environment through the Way to Happiness Community program. The Way to Happiness booklet, a universal guide to better living, includes the statement, “Helping to take care of the planet is of great importance. Cut down too many forests, foul too many rivers and seas, mess up the atmosphere and we have had it.... Care of the planet begins in one's front yard.” Authored by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion, in 1981, it goes on to say, “There are many things one can do to help take care of the planet. They begin with the idea that one should. They progress with suggesting to others they should. Man has gotten up to the potential of destroying the planet.  He must be pushed on up to the capability and actions of saving it. It is after all what we're standing on.”

"Man has gotten up to the potential of destroying the planet. He must be pushed on up to the capability and actions of saving it."

A short film based on the Way to Happiness booklet on “Safeguarding and Improving the Environment” was shown, and an educator’s package was made available that includes lesson plans to fully engage students on this subject. All materials are provided free of charge to educators and those interested in improving the environment, available from thewaytohappiness.org.