News Archives » Ecology
Earth Hour – March 26th – Join the Movement! March 25th, 2011
Join millions around the world and turn off your lights at 8:30 on Saturday night. Together, we can make a difference.
San Antonio Recycling Growth Story Presented to UN March 11th, 2011
U.S. based recycling company, Greenstar Recycling has been discussing the role it played in helping San Antonio, Texas create a pathway to zero waste at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
San Antonio is home to the Oblate School of Theology and Oblates there have been active in promoting environmental awareness. Patti Radle, former San Antonio City Council member and current Oblate JPIC Committee member has carried this thinking into the Mayor’s office where she has encouraged a shift away from the use of bottled water. Together we can all make a difference!
Check out the blog on Sustainable Living in San Antonio…
Oblates Attend 2011 World Social Forum March 4th, 2011
Fr. Walter Butor OMI, Ms Patti Radle and Fr. Jose Ponce OMI represented the U.S. Oblate JPIC Committee at the recent World Social Forum (WSF) held in Dakar, Senegal, February 6-11. Oblates from other regions also attended. In a note from Ms Radle described her experience: “It is very emotional and encouraging to be around thousands and thousands of people who are so sincere about making a better world and seeing beyond borders.” The World Social Forum is an annual summit held by non-governmental organizations, civil society members and religious leaders working to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
Mass at the cathedral in Dakar. The Bishop of Senegal gave a blessing and prayers for those attending the World Social Forum.
Oblate JPIC General Service Director Fr. Camille Piché OMI hosted an informal inaugural gathering for Oblate participants to convey expectations and a debriefing session following the forum to share experiences. Oblates participate in the World Social Forum in order to express solidarity with the thousands of participants meeting to both share concerns and explore effective responses to a diversity of issues, from globalization, ecological sustainability and trafficking of women and children, to trade relations of nations, extractives industries and indigenous peoples’ issues. Thanks go to the Oblate Province in Senegal which provided hospitality to the Oblate participants.
Thanks to Patti Radle for the photographs.
"Another World is Possible"
Recycle Your Paper! March 4th, 2011
If everyone in the U.S. recycled their newspapers (including the comics), we would save 500,000 trees every week. We can recycle all kinds of paper, cereal boxes, note paper, bags, newspaper, etc.
These are some of the benefits of recycling paper:
- Conserves resources
- Prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants
- Saves energy
- Supplies valuable raw materials to industry
- Creates jobs
- Stimulates the growth of greener technologies
- Reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators
Conflict Minerals in Our Cell Phones, Laptops March 1st, 2011
According to a UN Panel of Experts and others the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being fueled by a multi-million dollar trade in minerals. The armed groups perpetuating this violence deal in five main minerals used in electronic products and found plentifully in eastern Congo – coltan, gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum.
To see where various electronics companies rank in using conflict-free minerals and to send them messages, go to Raise Hope for Congo (English only)
