ACT FOR CREATION

“LEARNING HOW TO LIVE WISELY, TO THINK DEEPLY AND TO LOVE GENEROUSLY.” – LAUDATO SI’, N. 47


How Can You Respond

As Catholics, we are called to uphold life and the dignity of each human person, support families, look after future generations, love the poor and vulnerable, and care for all of God’s creation. These are among the many topics that are connected to the teachings of Laudato Si’ which demand an immediate response on our behalf.

Here are some suggestions on things you, your family, your parish, and your community can do today to protect the earth for our children and grandchildren.


REVIEW YOUR CONSUMPTION HABITS

Laudato Si’ makes a very powerful case for the need for each one of us to carefully evaluate our consumption habits and lifestyle. Simple things that can be done in this field include using reusable water bottles, take shorter showers, walk or bike as much as you can, or take public transportation instead of driving, recycle and compost food waste, as well as buying efficient appliances. A good place to start the process could be using the tool that is available here to calculate your carbon footprint.


JOIN OR ESTABLISH A LAUDATO SI’ CREATION CARE TEAM IN YOUR PARISH

Join others in their efforts to pray, learn, and act on matters connected to our common home.


RAISE AWARENESS

Organize or participate in activities to raise awareness of the challenges of climate change.


MAKE CHANGES INSTITUTIONALLY (AT YOUR PARISH, SCHOOL, OR WORKPLACE)

Start recycling and composting in your parish, school, or workplace. Use washable dinnerware in cafeterias, share electronically instead of printing, conduct an energy audit, and install solar panels.


SUPPORT LOCAL EFFORTS

Join local efforts of groups working with elected officials and community leaders to explore ways through your local community can better care for the environment: planting trees, reducing harmful emissions, and improving public transportation. Find out what is going on locally in connection with these matters and get involved.


MONITOR LEGISLATION AND ADVOCATE

Monitor legislation going before the state and federal legislature connected to climate, emissions, or energy policies. Urge legislators to remember that people who live in poverty are the ones that may suffer the most because of climate change. Participate in advocacy initiatives aiming to raise awareness among your legislators about the dignity of each human person (from the unborn to the elderly and the sick) and the need for us to look after future generations.


TAKE THE PLEDGE TO CARE FOR THE CREATION

The St. Francis Pledge is a promise and a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations, and institutions to live our faith by protecting God’s Creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change. To join the Covenant, you commit to act on each of the five elements of the St. Francis Pledge: pray, learn, assess, act, and advocate.


VISIT THE CATHOLIC CLIMATE COVENANT WEBPAGE

Visit the Catholic Climate Covenant Webpage for further resources and action suggestions on matters connected with the care of our common home.


VISIT THE ENVIRONMENT SECTION OF THE USCCB WEBSITE FOR ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND OTHER RESOURCES

Visit the section of the USCCB Website dedicated to the environment to learn more about the advocacy efforts of the US Bishops on environmental issues.


ACTION ALERTS AND ADVOCACY UPDATES

Sign up to receive USCCB Action Alerts and Advocacy Updates on environmental topics.


Questions/Comments?

Questions or Comments?

Lauren Stadelman
Director for Pastoral Care & Hospital Ministry