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Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide April 20th, 2016

Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide

The first Earth Day was observed 46 years ago on April 22, 1970. It is the largest civic observance in the world, with millions of school children, teachers, and ordinary citizens participating in educational, civic and outdoor activities. The highlight of this year’s observance is the official signing ceremony for the Paris Climate Agreement. In December 2015 192 countries of the world adopted the agreement in Paris, France. In a symbolic gesture, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited every nation to officially sign the agreement this Earth Day, April 22nd, 2016, at the UN headquarters in New York.

This Earth Day our partner organizations, Catholic Rural Life and the Catholic Climate Covenant are calling for a greater appreciation for trees and their ability to keep the air we breathe clean. Catholic Climate Covenant is offering a free program guide for planning a one-hour Earth Day celebration in your parish or school. Download the program guide.

Visit the Catholic Rural Life website for more information on their work in supporting Integrity of Creation.

Earth Day Prayer – For Our Earth (Laudato Si, Pope Francis)

All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness
all that exists. Pour out upon us
the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.

O God of the poor,
help us to rescue
the abandoned and forgotten
of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
at the expense of the poor and the earth. Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature as we journey
towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

Earth Day Video: Faith, Relationships and Creation – This video reflection produced by Oblates JPIC office (3:01 minutes) with meditative text invites you to reflect with Pope Francis on our relations with one another and Creation.

Earth Day Action:

Add your name to the Interfaith Climate Change statement.
Support moral principles and priorities in climate change discussions, legislations and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable in society.

Resources

Catholic Climate Covenant
http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/

Catholic Rural Life
https://catholicrurallife.org/

International Mother Earth Day 22 April
http://www.un.org/en/events/motherearthday/

Earth Day Network
http://www.earthday.org/