Recognizing Our Interdependence

Reminding us of environmental issues such as climate change, loss of species, and pollution, and of the serious impact that such issues have on the poorest among us, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace states, “Serious ecological problems call for an effective change of mentality leading to the adoption of new lifestyles, ‘in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of the common good are the factors that determine consumer choices, savings and investments.’  These lifestyles should be inspired by sobriety, temperance, and self-discipline at both the individual and social levels.  There is a need to break with the logic of mere consumption and promote forms of agricultural and industrial production that respect the order of creation and satisfy the basic human needs of all.  These attitudes, sustained by a renewed awareness of the interdependence of all the inhabitants of the earth, will contribute to eliminating the numerous causes of ecological disasters as well as guaranteeing the ability to respond quickly when such disasters strike peoples and territories.  The ecological question must not be faced solely because of the frightening prospects that environmental destruction represents; rather it must above all become a strong motivation for an authentic solidarity of worldwide dimensions” (#486).

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, launched in 2006, offers suggestions for individuals and whole-parish-community ideas to address the serious issues of global climate change.  

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, too, has a resource guide for understanding Catholic Social Teaching and climate change issues.  See the NCRLC  Climate Change: A Catholic Response Study Guide.

Take the St. Francis Pledge to show care for creation and for the poor.

Do you know Who is Under Your Carbon Footprint?