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Resolutions

To Action
LCWR Global Concerns Committee

Volume 16, Number 4 October 2007

Climate Change Puts Earth at Risk


Dan Misleh, Catholic Coalition on Climate Change

Science ous areas, and increase in allergenic


EXPERIENCE Warming of the climate system is pollen in high and mid-latitudes.

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unequivocal: global average air and Warmer and drier conditions will
any say that climate change is
ocean temperatures are rising, centu- lead to a reduced length of growing
already impacting the poor in ries-old snow and ice are melting, sea season in much of Africa and other
the United States and around levels are rising. places. Mountain settlements are at
the world. Darfur? A prolonged Most of the increase in global average risk to oods from melting glaciers.
drought in the 80s and 90s forced temperatures is from increased green-
Approximately 20-30% of plant
shepherds and farmers to move into house gases from human activities.
More intense and longer droughts and animal species will be at risk of
neighboring tribal lands. Katrina?
have been observed over wider areas extinction if increases in global av-
While scientists are divided about
since the 1970s, particularly in the erage temperature exceed 1.5-2.5C
whether or not climate change is pro-
tropics and subtropics. Sea-level rise will cause coastal
ducing stronger cyclones, such events
The frequency of heavy precipitation erosion and salt-water inundation
are more likely because of climate
events has been observed in North and of fresh water.
change. Extreme weather events will
South America, northern Europe and Sea-level rise will also create mil-
impact cities and towns, food produc- northern and central Asia. lions of refugees; Pacic island
tion and water supplies, health care Continued greenhouse gas emissions nations are already feeling this
and human services. Unfortunately, at or above current rates would cause impact.
those who have contributed the least further warming and climate changes
to climate change (people who are that will be larger than those observed
poor)are suffering the harshest conse- during the 20th century.
quences of climate change.
Resolutions to Action is an occasional publica-
Impacts tion of the Global Concerns Committee of the
Many natural systems are being Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Social Analysis affected by earlier timing of spring (LCWR). Members of the committee are:
events: leaf-unfolding, bird migra- Carol Descoteaux, CSC; Jacquelyn Doepker,
OSF; Andrea Nenzel, CSJP; Joy Peterson,

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tion and egg-laying, earlier spring
t is difcult to ignore climate PBVM; Susan Schorsten, HM; Kathleen
peak discharge in glacier- and snow- Storms, SSND; and Marie Lucey, OSF, staff.
change today. Over 2000 scientists
fed rivers, and earlier migrations of Please address correspondence to:
from 180 countries around the
sh in rivers. LCWR
world have just issued a summary
Impacts on human systems include 8808 Cameron Street
of their fourth assessment on climate Silver Spring, MD 20910
health and living conditions: higher
change as part of the Intergovernmen- 301-588-4955
heat-related mortality, spread of in-
tal Panel on Climate Change. They www.lcwr.org fax: 301-587-4575
fectious disease vectors in mountain- mlucey@lcwr.org
say:
Solutions In the Hebrew Scriptures, God declares communities of faith do? In addition
Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- creation to be very good (Gen. 1:31), to the solutions listed above, here are
sions have grown since pre-industrial and asked humankind to till and some other steps we can take:
times, with an increase of 70% between to tend the garden (Gen. 2:15), The
1970 and 2004, Some of the solutions to Psalmist says, the Earth is the Lords Become carbon neutral: use the
curbing emissions could include: and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24 :1), and most efcient car possible; walk
Aggressive development of exist- so we must assure that the Earths gifts or bike rather than drive; replace
ing renewable energy technologies, are shared with all. The Apostle Paul incandescent bulbs with compact
increased energy efciency require- says: The creation waits with eager uorescent ones; replace old appli-
ments and global trading system of longing for the revealing of the children ances with Energy Star rated ones;
greenhouse emissions of God. (Romans 8-19). use a programmable thermostat
More fuel-efcient vehicles, hybrid and keep indoor temperatures
vehicles, cleaner diesel vehicles, But because our very salvation depends higher in the summer and cooler
biofuels on how we care for the least of these in the winter; purchase renewable
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) (Mt. 25:35), we must consider rst and energy from your electric utility;
for coal-red electricity generat- foremost the impact of our actions on purchase carbon offsets (pur-
ing facilities; wind; advanced the most vulnerable. And in Gods chasing shares in organizations
renewable energy systems such as covenant which I make between me that encourage tree planting, for
including tidal and wave energy, and you and every living creature for example) to reduce your emissions
concentrated solar, and better perpetual generations, (Gen. 9:9-10) even more.
photo-voltaic cells we are bound to act today to assure the Support businesses that share
Efciencies in home and ofce well being of life now and in the future. your values and are taking steps
lighting; more efcient appliances to reduce their energy use and that
and heating and cooling systems; Today Pope Benedict XVI encourages provide green products.
improved stoves; better and more us to listen to the voice of the earth. Urge your legislator to increase re-
extensive insulation; passive and In a meeting with priests in Northern newable energy standards that will
active solar design for heating and Italy, the Pope said: ...obedience to the drive investments in new technol-
cooling voice of the earth is more important for ogy.
Changes in lifestyle and behavior our future happiness than the voices of Insist that the United States join
patterns that can decrease the car- the moment, the desires of the moment. other nations in crafting a post-
bon output from individuals: eat- Existence itself, our earth, speaks to Kyoto global climate change
ing less meat, walking or bicycling us, and we have to learn to listen. strategy.
more, consuming less Work with local utilities to ensure
New, sustainable and appropriate that they offer renewable energy
Action (wind, solar, biomass).
energy infrastructure investments
in developing countries, upgrading Visit the new website of Catholics

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energy infrastructure in industrial- ach one of us is being called by and Climate Change (www.
ized countries, and policies that God to listen for our particular catholicsandclimatechange.org),
promote energy security can help response to the threat of climate a complement to the USCCB web
lower GHG emission reductions. change and Gods creation. As we site on climate change (www.usccb.
discern our individual and corporate org/sdwp/ejp/climate)
actions, we must also be mindful of
Reflection climate justice and act in solidarity with
the poor and the marginalized. Just

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n recent years, the US bishops, the recently, the presidents of major faith A Prayer Based on Psalm 104
Vatican and others in our Catholic organizations sent a joint letter to the
community have been reclaiming the US Congress saying: There is persua- O God,
ancient teachings about care for creation sive evidence that the consequences of who set the earth on its foundations,
and our obligations to our planetary climate change will fall disproportion- who makes the springs gush forth
home, The creation stories in Genesis ately on the worlds most vulnerable in the valleys,
predate Earth Day by thousands of people and inaction will only worsen living things both small and great,
years! Gods gift of creation and Gods their suffering. (June 7, 2007) and bread to strenghten the human
command to tend the garden take on heart,
new and urgent meaning as our activi- Rooting ourselves rmly in our faith How manifold are your works!
ties are destroying the foundations of community can give us the courage and Send forth your Spirit now,
[our] existence, [our] earth Benedict strength to address the task before us renew our spirits,
XVI, July 24, 2007. to renew the face of the earth. What can and renew the face of the earth.

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