By Jennifer Kryszak, Director of Strategic Planning for the Franciscan Peace Center

“Nonetheless, every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people. Yet what is important is something less quantitative: the need to realize that there are no lasting changes without cultural changes, without a maturing of lifestyles and convictions within societies, and there are no cultural changes without personal changes.” Francis, Laudate Deum, 70

I can remember my younger sister demanding that my parents recycle. She was probably about eight years old and came home from elementary school equipped with knowledge and willingly imparted it to my parents, who seemed quite puzzled or annoyed by this new-found knowledge. Perhaps it was the young person in front of them demanding a change of behavior that was more puzzling than the information about recycling. Perhaps they were thinking of the actions they already took to care for the earth.

The yards of my childhood and youth always included a sizeable vegetable garden. I know my parents enjoyed gardening, but the garden was clearly a source of food for our family and enabled them to feed us well from their own labors. Over the years, my family’s approach to gardening has developed as we have learned more about organic gardening and composting. Recycling likewise remains central to our actions; however, we now try to reduce what we purchase and use as well as consider the environmental impact of more of our purchases. The more we learn about climate change and the impact of fossil fuels and plastics, the more our daily practices should shift to respond to care for creation.

And yet, I know that the United States is the largest producer of emissions and holds great responsibility for the climate crisis. Francis’ critique of the United States comes through strongly at the end of Laudate Deum as he notes “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” (72). Francis calls out “the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model” and notes that changes in our culture potentially hold great impact for the future of creation (72). Francis observes, “Efforts by households to reduce pollution and waste, and to consume with prudence, are creating a new culture. The mere fact that personal, family and community habits are changing is contributing to greater concern about the unfulfilled responsibilities of the political sectors and indignation at the lack of interest shown by the powerful. Let us realize, then, that even though this does not immediately produce a notable effect from the quantitative standpoint, we are helping to bring about large processes of transformation rising from deep within society” (71). Creating this new culture, a new-found recognition of our interrelatedness with all creation, will enable us to demand that our communities, businesses, and governments go further and conform to this new culture.

To create this new culture and advocate for a sustainable future, we must continue to deepen our own awareness of ecological and social justice issues and how they are interrelated. This knowledge can enable us to change our personal practices as well as to advocate for change in industry and government. The Midwest Franciscan Justice Promoters are one collaboration that works to expand our knowledge of issues and provide concrete ways to respond. Their advocacy for a Just Farm Bill draws attention to the intersection of issues of conservation, international agricultural programs, trade, and nutrition. Likewise, their “Flowing Forward: A Water-Wise Earth Month Calendar” educates people about the threats to water from climate change and the resulting impacts on all forms of life, including the threat of conflict and war. This education encourages people to change their daily practices and advocate for this natural resource and all people’s access to water.

Similarly, the Franciscan Action Network promotes their “Working for Environmental Justice” campaign that advocates “for people and communities disproportionately and negatively affected by environmental degradation and climate change.” One of their recent efforts focused on environmental justice was a two-part webinar series entitled “Awakening to Environmental Justice.” This series educated viewers about how to research environmental justice issues in their local communities and how to engage with local activists committed to issues of environmental justice. Significantly, these webinars provided viewers with tools that they could use to affect change in their local communities.

This is what we need to continue to create a new culture that arises from a deep awareness of our interconnection and interrelation to all of creation. Gaining knowledge about issues and creation enables us to move to a deeper understanding of this interconnection and interrelation. This understanding then urges us to commit to all of creation, to honor our relationship to creation in our lives and advocate for change. This commitment offers us hope for the future as we work together to raise awareness and demand change to address the ecological and social crises.

As we reflect today, let us consider what knowledge we need to deepen our understanding of diverse ecological and social issues. What resources can you engage to better understand the world around you? How will you respond to this new-found knowledge? How will you continue to advocate for a sustainable future?

What is your ecological footprint? Take the quiz, and see how many earths we would need if everyone lived like you do. How can this resource urge us to change our practices?

Devote time to learning about water and how you can make a difference in changing practices and advocating for the vulnerable of the earth. Interact with the Midwest Franciscan Justice Promoters’ Flowing Forward: A Water-Wise Earth Month Calendar.

Watch the “Awakening to Environmental Justice” webinars from the Franciscan Action Network to learn how to research environmental justice in your community and reach out to community advocates in a respectful manner of solidarity.