This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life. The Bishops of the United States have expressed very well this social meaning of our concern about climate change, which goes beyond a merely ecological approach, because “our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together.
– Pope Francis
Laudate Deum
Earth Day, April 22, 2024
As we approach Earth Day 2024, we are reminded of the profound interconnectedness between humanity and the planet we call home. Laudato Si’ reminds us that “the Earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor” (LS 2). This poignant statement challenges us to recognize the Earth as a resource to be exploited and a sacred gift entrusted to our care. It calls us to embrace an ecological conversion, a change in mindset and lifestyle that acknowledges the intrinsic value of every creature and the interconnectedness of all life. This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life.
Laudate Deum, the follow-up to Laudato Si’, tells us, “Our care for one another and our care for the Earth are intimately bound together. Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community. The effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people, whether at home or around the world” (LD 3). Through sustainable practices, advocacy for environmental justice and education on ecological responsibility, we strive to live out the teachings of Laudate Deum by caring for our common home and promoting a harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Take action: via the links below
- Support The Earth Bill – Earth Day
- Tell Businesses: Stop Deforestation – Earth Day
- The Fashion Industry Must Change (earthday.org)
- Global Plastics Treaty (earthday.org)
- Protect the Endangered Species Act (earthday.org)
- Plant a Forest With the Canopy Project – Earth Day
- Earth-Day-2024-Social-Media-Toolkit-For-Release.pdf (earthday.org)
Did you know?
There are 400 trees for every person on Earth. Since 1980, there have been 377 climate disasters. About a billion people participate in Earth Day. Click here for more information and interesting facts about Earth Day.
You may find the IHM Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office’s web materials useful for your committee work, presentations, mission units, ministry and other educational purposes. Be sure to check out our regularly updated online resources HERE.