Care for Creation - Resources
The Laudato Si' Action Platform
Care for creation (Multi-year plan)
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will.” (LS 3) Taking a truly ground-up approach, it is rooted in the strengths and realities of communities around the world, empowering all to take “decisive action, here and now” as we journey towards a better future together. (LS 161)
usccb - United States conference of catholic bishops
Care for Creation - General
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
USCCB - UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development
Laudato Si' Discussion Guide
The discussion guide here includes materials for prayer, reflection and discussion, as well as ideas to help Catholics respond to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’. The discussion section of the guide includes quotes and discussion questions on a variety of themes highlighted in Laudato Si’.
ARLINGTON DIOCESE
Statement by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
Read more on the statement issued by Bishop Burbidge on the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home.
Catholic Climate Covenant
In 2006, to address growing ecological awareness and the need to implement Catholic social teaching on ecology within the US Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) helped form Catholic Climate Covenant. Inspired by the USCCB's 2001 statement on climate change, and supported by 19 national partners (which include the USCCB, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association, congregations of religious men and women, and other national organizations), Catholic Climate Covenant helps U.S. Catholics respond to the Church's call to care for creation and care for the poor.
Ditch the plastic bags
The United States Environmental Protection Agency released data that estimates between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. To make matters worse, most bags are not recycled because it costs more to recycle a bag than to produce a new one.
Bags end up in landfills, oceans, seas, and lakes. They end up strangling animals, filling our sewer systems, and blowing throughout the environment. In fact, according to the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, plastic bags account for over 10 percent of the debris washed up on the U.S. coastline.
The Kroger/Harris Teeter Green Team invites you to:
a) Reach out to your local grocery store and request that plastic bags be discontinued (sign this change.org petition for Kroger/Harris Teeter)
b) Ditch your own plastic use - switch to a Catholic inspired tote like this one on Etsy!
Bags end up in landfills, oceans, seas, and lakes. They end up strangling animals, filling our sewer systems, and blowing throughout the environment. In fact, according to the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, plastic bags account for over 10 percent of the debris washed up on the U.S. coastline.
The Kroger/Harris Teeter Green Team invites you to:
a) Reach out to your local grocery store and request that plastic bags be discontinued (sign this change.org petition for Kroger/Harris Teeter)
b) Ditch your own plastic use - switch to a Catholic inspired tote like this one on Etsy!
weatherizing homes
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Weatherizing your home helps you save money by saving energy, and it can also improve the comfort of your home. Professionals who perform weatherization services are part of the "Home Performance" industry. They are trained to understand how a house works as a system and to offer solutions that can solve common and difficult problems using building science.
Conduct a home energy audit to start building your strategy for weatherizing your home, then learn about air sealing, insulation, moisture control, and ventilation.
Conduct a home energy audit to start building your strategy for weatherizing your home, then learn about air sealing, insulation, moisture control, and ventilation.
Additional resources
December 2020 - Care for Creation Discussion Topics
Native American tribes are at the forefront of planning for and adapting to climate change. Interesting also to read that they take the long view and use both modern science and traditional methods and values of using natural resources while at the same time respecting them and all facets of creation, both the natural world and humans who inhabit it.
An ancient people with a modern climate plan
Native American tribes are at the forefront of planning for and adapting to climate change. Interesting also to read that they take the long view and use both modern science and traditional methods and values of using natural resources while at the same time respecting them and all facets of creation, both the natural world and humans who inhabit it.
An ancient people with a modern climate plan
November 2020 - Care for Creation Discussion Topics
Information about the plans for the 5th year anniversary of Laudato Si':
https://www.ncronline.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/LAUDATO SI' Special Anniversary Year Plans (Dicastery for Integral Human Development).pdf
3-part Georgetown Zoom series on inter-religious activities on Care for Creation. Though the "live" dates have just passed, you can view the replays here:
https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/interreligious-responses-to-laudato-si
Information about the plans for the 5th year anniversary of Laudato Si':
https://www.ncronline.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/LAUDATO SI' Special Anniversary Year Plans (Dicastery for Integral Human Development).pdf
3-part Georgetown Zoom series on inter-religious activities on Care for Creation. Though the "live" dates have just passed, you can view the replays here:
https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/interreligious-responses-to-laudato-si
October 2020 - Care for Creation Discussion Topics
Arlington Catholic Herald article about youth planning trees for C3
https://www.catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Teens_plant_trees_on_parish_grounds_around_the_diocese_during_C3_youth_event/
'Sleeping giant' Arctic methane deposits starting to release, scientists find
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/27/sleeping-giant-arctic-methane-deposits-starting-to-release-scientists-find
His Holiness Pope Francis: Our moral imperative to act on climate change -- and 3 steps we can take | TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_our_moral_imperative_to_act_on_climate_change_and_3_steps_we_can_take?language=en
Arlington Catholic Herald article about youth planning trees for C3
https://www.catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Teens_plant_trees_on_parish_grounds_around_the_diocese_during_C3_youth_event/
'Sleeping giant' Arctic methane deposits starting to release, scientists find
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/27/sleeping-giant-arctic-methane-deposits-starting-to-release-scientists-find
His Holiness Pope Francis: Our moral imperative to act on climate change -- and 3 steps we can take | TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_our_moral_imperative_to_act_on_climate_change_and_3_steps_we_can_take?language=en