A RENEWED CALL TO ADDRESS GLOBAL WARMING  WHICH CALLS FOR AN URGENT AND ETHICAL RESPONSE.

BY SR. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican

Many faith communities are inviting their members to take the climate change seriously, and to consider its impact on many people’s lives, and especially on  people living in poverty, who face the harshest impact of global climate change.

Pope Benedict  XV1 added his voice to this endeavor and called for a worldwide change of mentality regarding the environment. He said: “If we don’t act quickly and modify the way we treat the planet, humanity could risk extinction. All governments must commit to protecting nature and helping it fulfill its essential role for the survival of humanity. We need to rethink totally our approach toward nature. It is not just a playground or a space to be exploited. We need precise and sustainable solutions to help humanity live its covenant”

The Catholic Climate Covenant,  dedicated to the Care of Creation and Care for the Poor. Is urging people to take the St. Francis Pledge as a promise and commitment of individuals, families, parishes and organizations to ive their faith by protecting God’s creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who suffer greatly from climate change. The pledge has five elements, To :

1. Pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and protect the poor and vulnerable

 2. Learn about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of  climate change

3. Assess how we, as individuals and families , parishes and other collaborators, contribute to climate change by our energy use, consumption, waste, etc. 

4  Act to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the way we contribute to climate change

5. Advocate for Catholic Principles and Priorities in discussions and decisions made, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.

Go to the Catholic Climate Covenant website to register your St. Francis Pledge and learn more about the issue. (www.Catholic Climate Covenant.org)

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING?

“Global warming is the current rise in the average temperature of earth’s oceans and atmosphere and its projected continuum. The scientific consensus is that global warming is occurring and was initiated by human activities, especially those that increase concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2/3) Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere. Use of fossil fuels is the main source of greenhouse gases, as well as driving cars or trucks and other vehicles. The rise in temperature of earth’s resources and atmosphere and ongoing human activities are creating excess greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and results in global warming.  We cannot deny the seriousness of the issue when we see what has happened in the US and other parts of the world. The natural disasters experienced by many should be a wake-up call for all of us and urge us to find new and effective ways to stop the problem. We need a new consciousness to change our ways and avoid the mindless emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere. It affects all people around the globe, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO GLOBAL WARMING?

Today, there is a growing concern about the issue, and many faith groups and social service organizations are exploring this question. Some of their suggestions are:

-Educate the members of your group about the importance of the issue and invite all to take more responsibility for changing the situation. Each person, of any age or condition, can make some contribution to change the situation. No effort is too small to make a difference. Youth, especially, should be included in learning about the care of creation.

-Invite your friends and colleagues to take a look at their lifestyles and adopt a more responsible way of life. Could I simplify my lifestyle? Name the ways and adopt a more responsible way of life. Show how global warming is a moral issue.

-Urge legislators and trhe President to address the issue before it is too late.

-Create alternative forms of clean energy – such as wind turbines, solar power , bio-mass and geothermal.

Are the meals we have eco-friendly? Can we replace some of the paper goods used and reduce garbage. Use recycled and recyclable kitchen ware.

-Grow greener foods, plant community gardens, and support local urban farming for healthy, fresh and sustainable food sources.

- Join with other groups and share new ideas and practices.

-Develop a more responsible lifestyle in everyday life. Share ideas and ways to put them into practice. Find ways to reduce energy use for heating, cooling, light bulbs used, driving habits, and the produce we use on a daily basis.

-Plant a tree or other plants that absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.

 -Ensure that your buildings are energy efficient and sustainable.

All of us are called to responsible stewardship and each one of us can contribute to the solution. It will take courage to face the facts about global warming and do something about them. All of us must get involved in study, planning and action. Our Racine Dominican Community is continuing to educate the members and the public, about environmental issues. The Eco-Justice Center has a very effective educational program. It is dedicated to environmental education, care of the earth, in the context of community , contemplation creativity and cultivation.  In the new building addition at our motherhouse, leaders are looking for the most effective ways of making the building energy- efficient, and protecting the environment.  May we continue our journey with courage, conviction and hope.