Environment

Laudate Deum and COP 28

On the fourth of October 2023, Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation entitled Laudate Deum. He states clearly in this document that Eight years have passed since I published Laudato Si’…yet, with the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point…”

Francis reiterated the words frequently found in Laudato Si’: “Everything is connected.”  He notes in Laudate Deum that climate change will affect every aspect of our lives: healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations, etc. Yet at the dawn of 2024 it appears that we still do not understand the reality of our interconnectedness. Francis notes that “Millions of people are losing their jobs due to different effects of climate change: rising sea levels, droughts, and other phenomena affecting the planet have left may people adrift.” We see the effects all around us but refuse to acknowledge the role humanity is playing in climate change and the systemic change that is necessary.

Francis states clearly that “Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident. No one can ignore the fact that in recent years we have witnessed extreme weather phenomena, frequent periods of unusual heat, drought and other cries of protest on the part of the earth that are only a few palpable expressions of a silent disease that affects everyone.”

He points out that “It is no longer possible to doubt the human – “anthropic” – origin of climate change…The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which causes global warming, was stable until the nineteenth century, below 300 parts per million in volume. But in the middle of that century, in conjunction with industrial development, emissions began to increase. In the past fifty years, this increase has accelerated significantly, as the Mauna Loa observatory, which has taken daily measurements of carbon dioxide since 1958, has confirmed. While I was writing Laudato Si’, they hit a historic high – 400 parts per million – until arriving at 423 parts per million in June 2023. More than 42% of total net emissions since the year 1850 were produced after 1990.”

Given the above information, it is clearer than ever that systemic change is needed. Author Larry Hutchins tells us that “All the important problems we face are systemic problems: the survival of the planet’s ecology, world peace, the elimination of hunger and disease, the education of youth, and social justice…Over the past several decades the systemic nature of these complex problems has gradually entered the public’s consciousness. Complex problems are systemic; systemic problems are everywhere systemic problems are messy problems.”

Francis recognizes this complexity and writes “Our world has become so multipolar and at the same time so complex that a different framework for effective cooperation is required. It is not enough to think only of balances of power but also of the need to provide a response to new problems and to react with global mechanisms to the environmental, public health, cultural and social challenges, especially in order to consolidate respect for the most elementary human rights, social rights and the protection of our common home. It is a matter of establishing global and effective rules that can permit “providing for” this global safeguarding.”

Although Francis was unable to attend the UN Climate Summit (COP 28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates due to illness, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin delivered Pope Francis’ speech to delegates. Through Cardinal Paolin, Francis told delegates that “his presence serves to remind them that “the destruction of the environment is an offence against God, a sin that is not only personal but also structural, one that greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable in our midst and threatens to unleash a conflict between generations.”

It was hoped that the conference would provide the structure and commitment to truthfully acknowledge the causes of climate change and put forth specific recommendations which countries would agree to act upon. Although it did not attain the objectives many people in countries throughout the world wanted, there were some important decisions made.

Some of the Key Outcomes of COP 28:

  • The final document calls for the world to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050.” This signifies both a rapid near-term shift away from fossil fuels and a long-term direction of travel to a zero-carbon future. This is the first time such an agreement has been reached in 28 years of international climate negotiations.
  • The Loss and Damage Fund was fully operationalized on the first day of the Dubai summit. The fund is designed to help climate-vulnerable countries deal with climate impacts that go beyond what people can adapt to.
  • Outside of the negotiations, countries and others made major announcements on food, a milestone since the issue has historically been left out of the COP.  One hundred and fifty-nine nations, covering nearly 80% of the world’s land, signed the COP28 United Arab Emirates (UAE) Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, committing to integrate food and food systems into their s by 2025.
  • The final COP28 agreement reflects a growing understanding of cities as critical climate battlegrounds and partners for action—a fitting recognition since 70% of carbon dioxide emissions come from urban areas.
  • COP28 saw an encouraging slate of actions to address methane pollution, a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Governments, companies, and philanthropies announced over $1 billion in new grants, which more than triples the funding for projects focused on cutting methane in the oil and gas, waste and agriculture sectors, with the goal of mobilizing billions more.

Attention turns now to the next essential tasks: turning the goals expressed at COP28 into national action and ensuring the finance is there to implement them. Importantly, these commitments must be seen as the floor — not the ceiling — in the fight against climate change. Climate-vulnerable communities and countries cannot afford to be shortchanged. It is up to countries to translate the UAE Consensus into their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and transformative domestic legislation and policies, including ramping up renewables and fossil-free transport and tamping down fossil fuels at every turn. Global agreements can send the right signals, but the world’s fate will ultimately be determined by whether countries play their part in addressing the climate crisis.

Pope Francis concludes Laudate Deum with the following: “If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries, we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact.” These words are a direct challenge to us to evaluate our own lifestyles and ask what more we can do to care for Earth, our common home.

Pope Francis continually reminds us that systemic change is needed in multiple systems: our church, government, education, etc. so it is a call for us to hold leaders and each other accountable in all of the institutions of which we are a part. One concrete action each of us can take immediately it to take the Laudato Deum pledge which invites us to make personal changes in our own lifestyles, but also to hold the leaders of our institutions accountable for keeping the commitments they made at COP 28. This document can be found at https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/my-laudate-deum-action-pledge/  Pray with the actions suggested and make your personal commitment. Join with others to make a difference.

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Dangers Ahead

Dangers Ahead

(But Hope, Too)

The  U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released on March 21st found that the world is likely to surpass its most ambitious climate target — limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial temperatures — by the early 2030s. This most recent assessment by the IPCC synthesizes years of studies on the causes and consequences of rising temperatures.

In unequivocal terms, the report states that “The world is likely to pass a dangerous temperature threshold within the next 10 years, pushing the planet past the point of catastrophic warming — unless nations drastically transform their economies and immediately transition away from fossil fuels.” Scientists have found that beyond that threshold “climate disasters will become so extreme that people will not be able to adapt. Basic components of the Earth system will be fundamentally, irrevocably altered. Heat waves, famines, and infectious diseases could claim millions of additional lives by century’s end”.

“Human activities have already transformed the planet at a pace and scale unmatched in recorded history, the IPCC said, causing irreversible damage to communities and ecosystems. Yet global emissions continue to rise, and current carbon-cutting efforts are wildly insufficient to ward off climate catastrophe.”

Scientists have identified the need to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) as the threshold which would help save the world’s coral reefs and preserve the Arctic’s protective sea ice layer. This would help prevent dramatic sea level rise by avoiding further destabilization in Antarctica and Greenland.

The IPCC report shows humanity has reached a “critical moment in history,” IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said. “The world has all the knowledge, tools and financial resources needed to achieve its climate goals, but after decades of disregarding scientific warnings and delaying climate efforts, the window for action is rapidly closing.”

Five key takeaways from the IPPC report:

  1. Climate change has already wreaked havoc on the planet.
  2. Every bit of warming matters.
  3. The impacts of climate change are and will continue to be severe.
  4. The warmer the world, the more animal species at serious risk.
  5. There is a window to act, but it’s small and getting smaller.

Climate change has already wreaked havoc on the planet.

Although this report is dire, there is hope. Today there are numerous organizations and individuals actively working for a sustainable climate. It will, however, take the combined efforts of people throughout the world to make the changes necessary. Our faith also calls us to take an active role in working a sustainability. In Laudato Si”, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, he repeatedly calls for our active participation in caring for God’s creation and reminds us that those who are suffering the most from climate change are the poorest individuals and countries; those least responsible for the damage.

What can be done? Below are some ideas to get started:

  • Reduce food waste
    • Start by buying less food and shopping more frequently, if possible. If your schedule doesn’t permit that, you can prevent food waste by choosing fruits and veggies that freeze well. Chop most of your produce haul when you get home and freeze it. Added bonus: this also cuts down on meal prep time.
    • Find and support your local community compost center by bringing food scraps, volunteering, and/or donating.
  • Begin a more plant-rich diet
    • Going plant-based (or mostly plant-based) is one of the most impactful actions you can take as an individual, and it’s also an approach that has huge potential if the masses follow suit.
    • Gradually reduce your meat consumption while increasing protein-rich foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains. If you do consume meat, think of it as an embellishment to the meal rather than the main course (added bonus: your health will likely improve dramatically too).
  • Work with others by joining an organization that works for environmental sustainability
    • At the national and/or international level:

(www.interfaithpowerandlight.org)

 At the local level in the Greater Cincinnati area, join an organization and/or check out their websites for programs and suggestions:

Check the above website for prayerful photo reflection on Laudato Si’ weekly)

(www. https://resources.catholicaoc.org/offices/catholic-social-action/catholic-social-teaching/care-for-creation)  

March 22, 2023

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A Change of Heart

A Change of Heart and Mind

Pope Francis has called for a change of heart and mind regarding protection of Earth. He has stated very clearly that actions which support the future of the planet “presuppose a transformation on a deeper level” and reiterates St. Pope John Paul II’s words “We must encourage and support an ecological conversion.”

Leading global sustainability scientist, Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, says it is time for humanity to adopt a new mindset. Dr. Nicholas says very bluntly that humans are standing on the edge of a cliff brought on by an Exploitation Mindset which sees producing and consuming more material goods as the path to progress and purpose. She proposes a Regeneration Mindset where “we’d conceptualize ‘growth’ as a process of renewal and restoration and care for what matters most.” “This point of view”, she continues, “means finding a way for everyone, now and in the future, to live a good life, within the limits of the biosphere.” Both Pope Francis and Dr. Nicholas are calling for a transformation in the way we view the world and interact with it.

Scientists from around the world are telling us that our planet is in great peril. A previous blog cited the most recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This report cited that “Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system. Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.”

As the New Year begins, it is an opportune time to reflect on our own lifestyles and ask what steps we can take to move towards a Regenerative Mindset. Dr. Nicholas cites three principles of regeneration: 1) Respect and care for people and nature; 2) Reduce harm at its source, not by treating its symptoms; and 3) Turn our impulse to build toward the building of resilience.

The first principle challenges us to recognize that humans are not the only inhabitants of planet Earth. We share this space with a host of other species; thousands upon thousands of plants and animals as well as rivers, mountains, rocks, glaciers, oceans and more. Each is essential to the well-being of the whole. Where do you see yourself in the community of creation? Do you recognize the value of all that is not human? What steps will you take to live more sustainably and in harmony with the world around you?

Governments are beginning to take steps to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change, but that only treats the symptoms, not the root cause of the problems. According to Dr. Nicholas, “To reduce harm to people and nature, trace it back to its origins and look for systemic solutions that stop the harm as completely and quickly as possible…The solution to pollution is not dilution but prevention: designing systems from the start that work with rather than against physics, chemistry, and biology.” Take the time to become better informed about climate change, its causes and effects, and then share your knowledge with others and consciously make choices that reduce your carbon footprint.

Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks and maintain essential functions. Resilient systems are flexible and work best when they start at the local level and then expand outwards. How can you work with others to make your local community more resilient?

A Regenerative Mindset calls for an ecological conversion. Ecological conversion is defined as the “transformation of hearts and minds toward greater love of God, each other, and creation. It is a process of acknowledging our contribution to the social and ecological crisis and acting in ways that nurture communion: healing and renewing our common home.”

What commitment will you make as the New Year begins that will nurture communion and lead towards the healing and renewing of our common home? Imagine if everyone took just one step…

 

 

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