caring for god’s creation in the 21 st century

CARING FOR GOD’S CREATIONIN THE 21ST CENTURY

Reflections on Theology, Science, Climate Changeand Our Interconnected Global Environment

Katie Hirschboeck, PhD

Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research &Chair, Global Change Graduate Interdisciplinary Program

The St. Albert the Great Forum on Theology & ScienceThe University of Arizona Catholic Newman Center

2 May 2011

Catholic Climate Covenant

• Name of host organization (parish, etc.)

• Date

• Name of Catholic Climate Ambassador

CatholicClimateCovenant.org

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

• “At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God’s creation and the one human family.”

Global Climate Change:

A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good

2001


Care for God’s Creation- Biblical

• “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.”

Genesis 2:15

• “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is mine, and you are but aliens who have become my tenants. Therefore, in every part of the country that you occupy, you must permit the land to be redeemed.”

Leviticus 25:23


Care for God’s Creation- St. Francis of Assisi

• “Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains us and keeps us.”

St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun

• “Francis reminds us that the wisdom and benevolence of the Creator is expressed through Creation. He understood nature as a language in which God speaks to us, in which reality becomes clear, and we can speak of God and with God.”

Pope Benedict XVI, Saint Francis of Assisi

General Audience, 27 January 2010


Care for God’s Creation- Modern

• “[Humanity’s] dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of [our] neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2415



• “Care for Creation is not a new component of Catholic identity. It is as old as Genesis, and is woven into the very fabric of Catholic mission.”

Dan MislehExecutive Director, Catholic Coalition on Climate Change

• "Stewardship implies that we must both care for creation according to standards that are not of our own making and at the same time be resourceful in finding ways to make the earth flourish."

USCCBRenewing the Earth, 1991, p. 6



• “I wish to repeat that the ecological crisis is a moral issue.” (emphasis in original)

Pope John Paul II1990 World Day of Peace Message, No. 15

• “Preservation of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and particular attention to climate change are matters of grave concern for the entire human family.”

Pope Benedict XVILetter of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

on the Occasion of the Seventh Symposium of the Religion, Science and the Environment Movement (2007)


Care for God’s Creation- The Human Environment and the Natural Environment

• “Today, indeed, there is a growing awareness that [humanity] and [the] environment are more inseparable than ever. The environment essentially conditions [our] life and development, while [humanity], in [our] turn, perfects and ennobles [our] environment through [our] presence, work, and contemplation.”

Pope Paul VIA Hospitable Earth for Future Generations

Message to the Stockholm Conference on Human EnvironmentJune 1, 1972



• “In nature, the believer recognizes the wonderful result of God's creative activity, which we may use responsibly to satisfy our legitimate needs, material or otherwise, while respecting the intrinsic balance of creation.

• “If this vision is lost, we end up either considering nature an untouchable taboo or, on the contrary, abusing it. Neither attitude is consonant with the Christian vision of nature as the fruit of God's creation.”

Pope Benedict XVIEncyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, No. 48

2009



• “[W]e cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations.” (emphasis in original)

Pope John Paul II

1990 World Day of Peace Message, No. 6


Care for God’s Creation- Life and Dignity of the Human Person

• “Our tradition calls us to protect the life and dignity of the human person, and it is increasingly clear that this task cannot be separated from the care and defense of all of creation.”

USCCB

Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on the Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1991



• “If you have [people] who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have [people] who will deal likewise with their fellow [humanity].”

St. Francis of Assisi



• “[H]ow can we separate, or even set at odds, the protection of the environment and the protection of human life, including the life of the unborn?”

Pope Benedict XVI

2010 Address to the Diplomatic Corps

• “The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself, and vice versa.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Papal Encyclical Caritas in Veritate,

No. 51 (2009)


Pope Benedict XVI

• “The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.”

Encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, No. 48

2009



http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm

Predicted Impacts of Climate Change


Anthropogenic Climate Change

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

• U.S. National Academies of Science

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

• Academia Brasiliera de Ciências (Brazil)• Royal Society of Canada• Chinese Academy of Sciences• Académie des Sciences (France)• Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher

Leopoldina (Germany)• Indian National Science Academy (India)• Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Italy)• Science Council of Japan • Royal Society (UK)


U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

• “[W]e accept the consensus findings of so many scientists and the conclusions of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a basis for continued research and prudent action.”



2001


Pope Benedict XVI

• “Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?

• “Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of ‘environmental refugees’, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement?”


Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching (USCCB)

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/excerpt.shtml

• Life and Dignity of the Human Person

• Call to Family, Community, and Participation

• Rights and Responsibilities

• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

• The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

• Solidarity

• Care for God’s Creation


Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching (USCCB)

• “Many people recognize that the issue of climate change relates to the seventh theme, Care for God’s Creation . . .

• “But it is also true that other principles of Catholic Social Teaching can help inform our consciences and actions as we face the question of climate change.”

Catholic Social Teaching and Climate Change

Catholic Coalition on Climate Change

2010


Key Principles Guiding US Catholic Bishops’ Approach to

Climate Change

• Prudence

• Poverty

• The Common Good


Prudence

• “[A] thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned basis for taking or avoiding action to achieve a moral good.”

• “The virtue of prudence is paramount in addressing climate change.”

USCCBGlobal Climate Change:

A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good2001


Prudence

• "In facing climate change, what we already know requires a response; it cannot be easily dismissed.

• “Significant levels of scientific consensus- even in a situation with less than full certainty, where the consequences of not acting are serious- justifies, indeed can obligate, our taking action intended to avert potential dangers.


Prudence

• "In other words, if enough evidence indicates that the present course of action could jeopardize humankind's well-being, prudence dictates taking mitigating or preventative action.” (emphasis added)

USCCB



2001


Poverty

• “The effects of climate change—increasingly limited access to water, reduced crop yields, more widespread disease, increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, and conflict over declining resources—are making the lives of the world’s poorest people even more precarious.”

USCCB & Catholic Relief Services

Catholics Confront Global Poverty


Poverty

• “People living in poverty—both at home and abroad—contribute least to climate change but they are likely to suffer its worst consequences with few resources to adapt and respond.”

USCCB & Catholic Relief Services

Catholics Confront Global Poverty

• “This great inequality between polluters and victims makes anthropogenic climate change into a fundamental problem of global justice.” (emphasis added)

The German Bishops

“Climate Change: A Focal Point of Global, Intergenerational and Ecological Justice- An Expert Report on the Challenge of Global Climate Change” (published in 2006,

updated in 2007)


The Common Good

• “[E]very person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and

to the larger society.”

USCCB

Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching


The Common Good

• “Global climate is by its very nature a part of the planetary commons. The earth's atmosphere encompasses all people, creatures, and habitats.”

• “Responses to global climate change should reflect our interdependence and common responsibility for the future of our planet.”

USCCB



2001


The Common Good

• “A greater sense of intergenerational solidarity is urgently needed. Future generations cannot be saddled with the cost of our use of common environmental resources.”

Pope Benedict XVI



The Common Good

• “The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere.” (emphasis in original)

Pope Benedict XVIPapal encyclical Caritas in Veritate

No. 51 (2009)

• “In a word, concern for the environment calls for a broad global vision of the world; a responsible common effort to move beyond approaches based on selfish nationalistic interests towards a vision constantly open to the needs of all peoples.”

Pope Benedict XVI2010 World Day of Peace Message, No. 11

The Common Good

• “As the U.S. Congress considers climate legislation, Catholics Confront Global Poverty invites Catholics to advocate for policies that reduce the impact of climate change on people living in poverty. Well-designed climate change policies can help both reduce the severity of climate change and protect the most vulnerable by:

– “[A]ssist poor and adversely affected communities in adapting to and easing the effects of global climate change . . .

– “[E]nsure that the most useful technology is promptly made available to people in the most vulnerable developing countries . . . ” (adaptation & mitigation)

– “[P]romote the participation of local communities in programs for adapting to climate change and easing its effects.”

USCCB & Catholic Relief ServicesCatholics Confront Global Poverty

The Common Good

• “I wish to reflect today upon the relationship between the Creator and ourselves as guardians of his creation. In so doing I also wish to offer my support to leaders of governments and international agencies who soon will meet at the United Nations to discuss the urgent issue of climate change.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Message to UN Climate Change Conference 2009

The Common Good

• “For this reason I share the growing concern caused by economic and political resistance to combatting the degradation of the environment. This problem was evident even recently, during the XV Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Copenhagen from 7 to 18 December last.

• “I trust that in the course of this year, first in Bonn and later in Mexico City, it will be possible to reach an agreement for effectively dealing with this question. The issue is all the more important in that the very future of some nations is at stake, particularly some island states.”

Pope Benedict XVI2010 Message to the Diplomatic Corps

Pope Benedict XVI

• “The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.”

Encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, No. 48

2009

• “Preservation of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and particular attention to climate change are matters of grave concern for the entire human family.”

Letter of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on the Occasion of the Seventh Symposium of the Religion,

Science and the Environment Movement (2007)

Video


The Catholic Climate Covenant

• Individual, family, school, parish, arch/diocese

• 25+ Catholic Partners

• The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor


The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor

• PRAY & reflect about our duty to Creation and the poor

• LEARN about Catholic teaching and climate change and educate others

• ASSESS our contributions to the problem

• ACT to change behaviors and choices

• ADVOCATE on behalf of those without a voice


The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

– USCCB Dept. of Justice, Peace and Human Development

– USCCB Dept. of Migration and Refugee Services

• Catholic Relief Services

• Catholic Charities USA

• Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

• National Catholic Rural Life Conference

• Catholic Health Association of the U.S.A.

• National Council of Catholic Women

• Conference of Major Superiors of Men

• Leadership Conference of Women Religious

• Carmelite NGO

• Franciscan Action Network

• National Catholic Education Association

• Resource Center for Religious Institutes

• The Jesuit Conference

• The Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors

• National Association for Lay Ministry

• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

• Catholic Campus Ministry Association

• National Federation of Priests Councils

• National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education

• National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy

• U.S. Catholic Mission Association

• Africa Faith and Justice Network

• Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach

• Woodstock Theological Center

• National Catholic Development Conference

• National Conference for Catechetical Leadership

• Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Polling Shows Progress


Zogby International Poll: 1,000 Catholics, March/April 2009

What Others Are Doing

• Ambrosio Family: Little Falls, NJ

- Replaced gas mower with push mower

- Brita water instead of bottled

- Clothes line instead of dryer

- Lights and computers off when not needed

- Installed geothermal: carbon footprint down 70%



• John the Evangelist Kindergarten: Naples, FL

- Gave copy of St. Francis Pledge to all students and students wrote own pledges

- Discussed “Who’s Under Your Carbon Footprint” Video

- Gathered litter around the school as a service project



• St. Clement: Lancaster, WI

- 93% efficient boilers- Insulated 18,000ft2 attic- 20% of costs covered with energy grant

• St. William: Louisville, KY

- Solar Panels produce 30% of electrical needs

• St. Matthias : Redwood City, CA

- Focus group on city’s Climate Action Plan- 100 Mile Potluck



• Nativity Church of Fargo: Fargo, ND

– Promoted the St. Francis Pledge on its website and advocated for commitments around the Feast of St. Francis (October 4)


• Nativity Church of Fargo: Fargo, ND

– Promoted the St. Francis Pledge on its website and advocated for commitments around the Feast of St. Francis (October 4)

• St. Mary of the Assumption Parish: Whittier, CA

– Organized a special observance of the Feast of St. Francis (October 4) by encouraging parishioners to take the St. Francis Pledge

– More than 100 parishioners took the Pledge

– See Resources page (http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources) for promotional materials, parish sign up sheets and more

Courtesy of Sr. Marjorie Guingona

http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources


• Archdiocese of Los Angeles

• “In his letter, Cardinal Mahony asked parishioners to take the St. Francis Pledge, which urges Catholics to pray, learn, assess, act and advocate for the poor and vulnerable around the world by contributing to ‘climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, et cetera.’”


http://www.the-tidings.com/2010/100110/sustainability.htm

Available Resources

• Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, Monroe, MI: This Is Your Home

• New Jersey Catholic Coalition for Environmental Justice (NJCCEJ)

• St. Francis Pledge Packet: Archdiocese of Hartford


Available Resources

• USCCB & Catholic Relief Services: Catholics Confront Global Poverty

• National Catholic Rural Life Conference: Global Climate Change Response Study Guide

• JustFaith: God’s Creation Cries for Justice Climate Change: Impact and Response


Available Resources

• Franciscan Action Network: C4C

• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry: Catholic Youth: Care for Creaiton and the Poor (http://climate.nfcym.org)

• Catholic Coalition on Climate Change & Center for Ministry Development: Five Session Youth Lesson Plan (April, 2011)


What You Can Do

• Join others by taking the St. Francis Pledge and registering your commitment at http://CatholicClimateCovenant.org

• See How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at http://CatholicClimateCovenant.org/resources/taking-personal-action/

• Encourage others (family, parish, school, arch/diocese) and promote the St. Francis Pledge (see Planning Guide for Promoting & Taking the St. Francis Pledge at http://CatholicClimateCovenant.org/resources)


http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/

http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources/taking-personal-action/

http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources

What You Can Do

• Sign up to receive weekly Coalition emails at http://CatholicClimateCovenant.org

• Connect on social networks:

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catholicclimatecovenant

- Twitter: @CatholicClimate

- MySpace: Catholic Climate Covenant

• Call or write the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change:

- (301) 920-1442

- [email protected]


http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/

http://www.facebook.com/catholicclimatecovenant

mailto:[email protected]

caring for god’s creation in the 21 st century

Documents

gods creation moderncare

gods creation moderni

future of gods creation

integrity of creation

global climate change

catholic coalition

catholic church

climate changestewardship