November 12, 2021: How climate change impacts and involves women
Climate change is top-of-mind for world leaders right now. Here's why.
For the past two weeks, world leaders have gathered in Glasgow at a UN climate change conference called COP26. Faith leaders have been especially engaged in the conversation this year, including one of our heroes, Molly Burhans.
As a quick reminder
Catholics understand care for creation through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching — a.k.a. building a just society and living lives following Jesus' example, even amidst the challenges of modern society.
It has become an increasingly important issue in the past few years. JPII, Pope Benedict XVI (the "Green Pope), and Pope Francis have all addressed climate change during their papacies. In his 2016 message for World Day of Care for Creation, Pope Francis even called "care for our common home" a new corporal and spiritual work of mercy (i.e. actions that all Catholics should do!).
That means Catholics are called to pray and act
Here are three action steps you can take:
(1) Use your voice and rights to communicate to people in leadership – from your workplace to national politicians – and let them know how crucial it is to implement policies that care for creation.
(2) Take time to think about what lifestyle changes you can make to better care for creation.
(3) Join people around the world in prayer for the conversion of hearts and the courage we need to take action.
Not everyone can be vegan or go plastic-free or buy an electric car, but everyone can do something.
Do it for the girls
And in case you needed a little extra motivation, you should know that climate change will impact women disproportionately. Pope Francis's document, Laudato Si', calls for environmental justice because of this reality that the most vulnerable populations in the world will be impacted sooner and more severely.
Taking a hopeful approach
If we don't have hope, how could we ever expect change?
"This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities – what we value, what we want, what we seek – and re-plan our future, committing to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of. The time to act, and to act together, is now!" —Pope Francis
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