It is a crisis of stewardship, of interdependence and of Christian commitment. The development, distribution and use of energy in a manner inconsistent with Christian standards of stewardship, equity and justice will promote evil. A Christian's primary concern must be with justice, which is love in action, and is characterized by the absence of human obstacles to an individual's right to holistic development. Justice is the only foundation upon which goodwill and enduring peace among people and nations can be built. A. Criteria for Energy Decisions 1.
All persons have a right to the energy necessary to sustain life and to meet their basic needs.
National energy policies must provide for justice and equity with particular concern for disadvantaged groups. Energy policy must be a matter for major public discussion, with access for the public to information and their inclusion in the determination of public policy. A test of the validity of an energy program, in addition to its cost and efficiency, is the extent to which it conserves resources, protects the environment and promotes human justice. Constructive measures designed to alleviate the world-wide energy problem will require international cooperation. An energy course must be pursued that will not be prejudicial to the developing nations, that will help narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, and that takes into account the needs of local people and nations.