Deacon Mike's Monday Musings

On this date, April 21, in 2019, Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist, joined the Extinction Rebellion protests in London. She delivered a speech urging the crowds to continue their efforts and highlighting the urgent need for climate action. Activists were demanding a more aggressive climate target from the British government. Thousands of people protested in London, disrupting traffic and businesses. Actions included blocking bridges, occupying public spaces, and spraying public structures with “fake blood”. Police arrested more than 1,000 people. However, the protests were successful and led to the British Parliament declaring a climate emergency, a landmark achievement for the movement.

Climate change is harming vulnerable people in our diocese. Increasingly destructive fires, floods, and drought displace residents. Poor air and water quality contribute to disease and deaths.  The World Health Organization warns that, between 2030 and 2050, climate change could cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, asthma, cancers, and heat stress. Climate change unjustly and disproportionately harms poor and marginalized people who contribute the least to the problem.  

Catholic social teaching informs us that climate change is a grave moral issue that threatens our commitments to protect human life, health, dignity, and security; and to exercise a preferential option for the poor. A pivotal document is Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si. This year celebrates its 10-year anniversary.  It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. It summarizes the scope of current problems related to the environment and provides guidance on tangible actions we can take.

The current federal administration withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement and stopped future payments to the Green Climate Fund. The decision was deeply disappointing for member organizations of the Catholic Climate Covenant---a partnership of Catholic organizations, including Catholic Charities--- that helps US Catholics respond to the Church's call to care for creation and care for the poor.

While Catholic Charities of Stockton is not blocking bridges, occupying public spaces, or spraying public structures with “fake blood”, our Environmental Justice program is busy at work with Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Climate Covenant and other partner organizations to advocate for protecting creation. The evening news seems to report on stories focused on decisions that we sometimes cannot control. Our local Catholic Charities Environmental Justice program offers guidance on concrete actions that help situations we can control. We can make sensible and productive lifestyle changes that result in better lives for everyone, especially those who suffer the most.

• Be energy efficient. When the weather is hot, close your curtains to block heat from the sun. When it is cooler, open your curtains during the day to allow the sun to warm your home. These simple steps can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning and heating, which are likely the most energy-intensive aspects of your home.
• Adjust the thermostat. Turning down your air conditioning or heating when you leave the house will further shrink your carbon footprint. A change of just 5 degrees is a good start.
• Adjust your driving routine. By combining multiple errands into one trip, you reduce the amount of fossil fuel you use.
• Go meatless every Friday. Livestock production accounts for 4% of Americans’ greenhouse gas, according to the EPA. By going meatless one day per week, you will both honor Catholic teaching and better care for Creation.
• Recycle More. Landfills emit greenhouse gases through decomposition.
• Petition policy makers. Your elected officials have the power to take action on climate change. Write policy makers to tell them that you stand for the stewardship of creation.
• Write to your local newspaper. Writing a letter to the editor has effects beyond your local community. Legislators assign their staffs to read letters to the editor as an important barometer of constituents’ interests.
• Join the Catholic Charities Environmental Justice Team at Upcoming Events. – (contact our Environmental Justice program at [email protected] for full information).
  
  

Blessings,
Deacon Mike