From the Director

Twelve Catholic Climate Ambassadors Take Major Step

Twelve leaders from across the nation gathered this past weekend near Washington, DC, to become immersed in the science of climate change and Catholic teaching on care for creation and the poor.  They will be joined by thirteen more who will convene in late winter in San Jose, CA.  The Ambassadors will soon be available to offer presentations to parishes, schools, diocesan ministry professionals and others on the Church’s teaching on stewardship, climate change and its impacts on poor people at home and abroad as they refine their presentations.  Watch for further announcements about this in the coming weeks.  Prayers for their success are welcome.

From Vatican Radio

Interviews: Cancun Climate Change Conference

Cecilia Calvo, Environmental Justice Program coordinator at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, shared the moral framework that guides the U.S. Catholic bishops’ approach on national legislative and educational efforts with Vatican Radio this past weekend.  She also discusses the partnerships with other Coalition members including Catholic Relief Services and encourages U.S. Catholics to take the St. Francis Pledge.  Listen here.

Vatican Radio also interviewed Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.  He shared his concerns about climate change and elaborated on the letter that leaders from Christian and Muslim communities sent to British Prime Minister David Cameron.  The letter urged the British government to, “do everything it can to ensure agreeing a fair, ambitious and legally-binding global agreement” at the Cancun meeting. Read more and listen to the full interview of Cardinal O'Brien. Find find more about the religious response to climate change talks in Cancun here.

From the Vatican

Vatican Open to Alternative Transportation; New Book on Vatican’s Solar Energy

Pope Benedict XVI would welcome having an electric vehicle as a further sign of his commitment to protecting natural resources and safeguarding the earth, said a top Vatican official.  Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the commission governing the Vatican city-state, said if a sponsor offered the pope an electric-powered vehicle that "was in working order, efficient and suitable, why not? It would be a sign of his environmental concern." The cardinal and others spoke during a recent Vatican news conference to present a new book, "The Energy of the Sun in the Vatican," about the Vatican's solar power initiatives. Read more here.

From a Partner: CHA

Environmental Sustainability and Health Care

With the theme of Faithfully Healing the Earth, members of the Catholic health care ministry are working together to share information and strategies to decrease their impact on the environment and be faithful stewards of our Earth.   A wealth of resources for health care sponsors, systems, facilities and related organizations are available here.
CHA states that:
We have the power and responsibility to make health care more environmentally safe for our patients, employees, communities and planet.  We can improve the health of our communities — locally and globally — by reducing waste, shrinking our carbon footprint, using environmentally safe materials and adopting sustainable food policies.
See all CHA's resources on environmental sustainability and health care.

From A College

Saint Mary's College Students Take a No Impact Challenge

Can you have no environmental impact for 24 hours?  The president of St. Mary's College Environmental Coalition (Notre Dame, IN), Ashley Cook, tried just that:
As environmentalists, we all strive to have less of an impact on the earth.  But what about trying to have no impact at all, is it possible? A few weeks ago we watched the documentary “No Impact Man”.  It is about a man living in New York City with his wife and young child, who tries to make no impact on the environment for one year.  He proves that it is easier said than done, but after watching his struggles, our club was inspired to try it for ourselves.  But just for 24 hours.  We told the members to pick one day within the week after watching the movie to have “no impact”.  I was thrilled to accept this challenge and although I did have some impact, I would say I did pretty well...     Read her story here.  

Story:  Parish

Creation Care Milestones at St. Monica-St. George, A Franciscan Parish in Cincinnati

Here is their inspiring story:
St. Francis of Assisi walked in the footprints of God and today the Patron Saint of Ecology challenges all of us to follow.   St. Francis saw that all God created was good and he chose to praise God in prayer and by his daily life choices and actions.  St. Francis also led interfaith dialogues and is viewed as an ecumenical leader.  How can we as a parish, mosque, synagogue, or church praise God in prayer and by our daily life choices and actions?  At St. Monica-St. George we have taken some small steps to change our choices and actions.  We joined Ohio Interfaith Power and Light and entered the Cool Congregations Contest.  As a parish and as families and individuals, we signed onto the St. Francis Pledge, which is a promise and a commitment to care for creation and to protect the poor and vulnerable as they are affected by climate change.  Read more about the impressive list of all their activities. 

Story:  Parish

Parish Encourages Local Environmental Commitments

The joint Social Justice Ministry and St. Francis Earth Ministry of St. John the Baptist in Hillsdale, NJ, sponsored a Forum on Thursday, December 2, 2010 and invited Jonathan DeJoseph, Hillsdale Council member and Chair of the Hillsdale “Green Team” to hear about their activities and successful efforts to secure Sustainable Community Certification from the State. (see newsletter of the Social Justice Ministry describing the event)  About three months ago the Green Team created an online pledge and appealed to Hillsdale residents to sign on to make specific environmental changes in their lives. The pledge actions are environmentally friendly and could save money for each household. In order to achieve certification, at least 2.5% of a community’s residents were needed to sign the pledge. Sustainable Jersey is a certification and incentive program for municipalities in the state who want, among other things, to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Learn more about the efforts of the Hillsdale Green Team here. (scroll down to “Hillsdale Sets Green Pledge Challenge”)