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World’s Scientists Issue urgent Warning on Climate Change October 3rd, 2013
Late rains in Bangladesh stress crops and livestock.
Last week, the highly esteemed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest assessment of the science behind human-caused climate change. For the first time, the IPCC has offered guidance on the amount of CO2 that can still be put into the atmosphere and still stay below the temperature rise of 2 decrees Celsius: about 1 trillion tons more. The IPCC—which is made up of thousands of the world’s leading climate scientists from more than 120 countries—is now 95% certain that human activities are causing climate change. Previously, the scientists had been 90% certain.
In response to this report, Dr. Kevin Ahern, assistant professor of religious studies at Manhattan College, wrote The Moral Imperative to Act for Climate Justice. There, Dr. Ahern says that [t]he IPCC report draws attention to two facts that call Catholics and all people of good will to action, and highlights the work of the Coalition as an example of how Catholics are faithfully addressing climate change. It should be noted that the U.S. Catholic bishops used the third IPCC report as the basis for their call to action by the Catholic community when they wrote their 2001 statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good.
The UK charity, Christian Aid, is urging governments to heed the warnings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). According to Independent Catholic News, Christian Aid’s Senior Climate Change Advisor, Dr. Alison Doig, warns that people in developing countries are already facing the grim reality of a changing climate [and says that t]his report demonstrates the urgent action needed to stop climate change in its tracks by committing to rapidly reducing global carbon emissions.”
Thanks to the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change for this information.
Education Kit Available for Feast of St. Francis September 9th, 2013
Melting Ice, Mending Creation: A Catholic Approach to Climate Change
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change has posted the Education Kit and Discussion Guide (free download) for this year’s Feast of St. Francis program: Melting Ice, Mending Creation: A Catholic Approach to Climate Change.
The Education Kit is available in Parish, College, and High School aged Youth versions. The Kit contains all the instructions and links for the online slide presentation you’ll need to offer your local program.
SIGN UP to register your event so that you will receive enough Prayer Cards (integral to the program) for the number of people that you indicated will attend when you sign up/ register.
Questions? Please contact the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change at info@catholicsandclimatechange.org.
Faith-Based Investors Urging Bold Action with Companies on Climate Change July 26th, 2013
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) recently released a white paper on engagement with the energy sector to address the serious risks posed by rapidly rising levels of CO² in the atmosphere. The paper is, in large part, a response to the fossil fuel divestment campaign coordinated by 350.org, and serves to lay out a range of responses open to concerned investors in response to the looming climate crisis.
Read: Insights for Investors Working for Bolder Intervention on Climate Change
Four energy policies can keep the 2 °C climate goal alive June 17th, 2013
An International Energy Association report shows how to stop growth in energy-related emissions by 2020 at no net economic cost. The Missionary Oblates engage oil and gas companies on the need for emissions reductions, and this report is a useful tool in that work.Warning that the world is not on track to limit the global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, the International Energy Agency (IEA)* has urged governments swiftly to enact four energy policies that would keep climate goals alive without harming economic growth.
“Climate change has quite frankly slipped to the back burner of policy priorities. But the problem is not going away – quite the opposite,” according to IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven. The IEA’s World Energy Outlook Special Report, Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map, highlights the need for intensive action before 2020.
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Fr. Darrell Rupiper, OMI – In Remembrance May 8th, 2013
“Heaven and earth are full of your glory.” This is the psalm response for today’s Mass, and was the title given by Fr. Darrell Rupiper, OMI to his seminar/retreat programs. Fr. John Cox wrote us to say that he offered Mass this morning in loving memory of Darrell, who passed away on February 10, 2009.
Remembering his life-giving spirit, Fr. Cox has shared these materials:
- The Great Work – one of Darrell’s group discussion handouts
- Tell the People I Love Them – song Darrell would teach the people (notes for guitar)
- Earth Care – The handout Darrell often gave at the end of a session, practical things people can do.
Heaven and earth are full of God’s glory. In memory of Darrell, please join us in being consciously aware of God in creation today, and doing some action that reverences the earth and promotes public awareness.
