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Working to Mitigate Climate Change
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Climate reporter Kendra Pierre-Louis says, since the story of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, people and nature are framed as “always in opposition with each other,” and when we speak of climate change and making improvements in the environment, there is an undercurrent of sacrifice in it. [jpic-jp]
She says, “What if, instead, the story we tell about climate change is that it is an opportunity? One for humans to repair our relationship with the Earth and re-envision our societies in ways that are not just in keeping with our ecosystems but also make our lives better." [Kendra Pierre-Louis, “Wakanda Doesn’t Have Suburbs,” All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, 2020, pp.138-144]
The Laudato Si! Action Plan, launched by the Vatican in 2021on St. Francis Feast Day, Oct. 4th, commemorating Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on integral ecology (see on Laudato Si’ Action Platform) is all about repairing that relationship. It calls for ecological spirituality education and adopting "liberating,” simple lifestyles. That education "proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life and encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle, one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption” (LS 222-223).
Let us begin with a few ideas on taking better care of the earth by lowering your carbon footprint, some adapted from Catholic Climate Covenant (10 Ways You Can Make a Difference).
Your Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted by your consumption of fossil fuels. The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has a free Carbon Footprint Calculator. There are some simple, common sense ways to be more energy efficient: Rather than immediately relying on air-conditioning or your thermostat, on warm, sunny days, close your blinds or curtains to block heat. In colder weather, open them during the day to warm your room. Of course, when you leave the house, turn down your air condition or heat. In general, learning to live with a few degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter will reduce your energy consumption and increase the strength of your body.
Do not jump in the car for every errand. Instead, plan and combine multiple errands into one trip to reduce the amount of fossil fuel you use. If you do not already drive a hybrid or electric car, dream of how your next car will be one.
According to the EPA, livestock production accounts for 4% of Americans’ greenhouse gas. Plan more meatless meals to take better care of Creation. There are many websites with great suggestions for meatless meals.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! Bring your own bags when shopping and look to buy items with minimal packaging. Find where and how to recycle almost anything in your area at Welcome to The Earth911 Recycling Search!
The EPA says that water processing accounts for approximately 3% of energy use in the United States. Saving water means saving energy.