The Fall/Winter 2025 edition of EarthConnection News focuses on the intersection of spirituality, environmental justice, and climate action, featuring messages from religious leaders and updates on global climate policy.
Climate Justice and Global Policy
- Pope Leo XIV’s Message: The Pope emphasizes that environmental justice is an “urgent need” and a “matter of justice social, economic and human”. He calls on believers to protect “God’s handiwork” as an essential part of a virtuous life.
- COP 30 Update: The UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, ended with “disappointing results”. While over 90 countries hope to develop a roadmap away from fossil fuels, a coalition of oil-exporting nations blocked the inclusion of fossil fuel transition language in the main document.
- US Participation: Notably, the United States chose not to send an official delegation to COP 30 for the first time.
Ethical Frameworks: Earth Charter and Laudato Si’
The newsletter compares two foundational documents that advocate for the planet:
- Earth Charter: A civil society declaration finalized in 2000, built on four pillars: Respect for Life, Ecological Integrity, Social/Economic Justice, and Democracy/Peace .
- Laudato Si’: A papal encyclical by Pope Francis that emphasizes “integral ecology”—the idea that environmental and social systems are inseparable.
- Shared Vision: Both documents link environmental degradation to poverty and the exploitation of vulnerable populations, urging a shift toward sustainability and reverence for life.
Sisters of Earth (SoE) and Upcoming Events
- Network Mission: Founded in 1994, SoE is an informal network of women dedicated to healing the human spirit and restoring Earth’s life-support systems.
- 2026 Conference: SoE will hold its first in-person conference since the pandemic from July 30 – August 2, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- EarthConnection Webinars: Several free educational programs are scheduled for early 2026:
- January 22: A look into the rainforest world with Sr. Caroljean Willie.
- February 19: Insights into some fun facts on our feathery friends.
- March 19: An exploration of the relationship between science and religion.
- April 23: A session on “Untangling Plastics” with author Bob Gedert.
To read more –www.scearthconnection.org/news
