On Earth Day 2021, Pope Francis delivered another message to the world about the importance of protecting creation. He asked us to think about why stewardship is important, and to protect the planet. It is also the responsibility of world leaders to act and address climate change.
“We need to ensure that the environment is cleaner, purer, and that it is conserved. We must care for nature so that nature may care for us.” Pope Francis, 2021
National Catholic Reporter online
Six years earlier in 2015, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical Laudato si’ with the subtitle ‘on care for our common home’. In it, he addressed the weak responses of countries to make helpful changes. Consumerism also contributes to the climate crisis.
Other problems that he addressed were pollution, less clean water particularly for the poor, loss of biodiversity, a decline in the quality of human life and the breakdown of society. The gravity of these global problems are a clear reminder why stewardship is important.
Ecological Grief: A Response to a Lack of Stewardship
A scary fact? Humans only have 11 years left to prevent irreversible damage to the planet due to climate change. And people are already feeling strongly about this. An article in the Lancet (July 2020) refers to ecological grief which is a sense of loss due to physical ecological changes, the loss of environmental knowledge and anticipated future losses. Scientists, youth, and Indigenous communities are speaking out about the sense of grief and loss that they feel.
Youth activists are demanding a safe future and crying out, “There is no Planet B.” They want their generation to have a bright future without the worry of extreme weather disasters, wildfires, coastal flooding, loss of animal and ocean wildlife, and air and water pollution – just to name a few.
Why is it important to accept our duty of stewardship and help?
- Climate change is a humanitarian issue. Environmental crises will affect everyone, leading to suffering all over the world.
- Making big and positive changes will ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our children, grandchildren and generations to come.
- There are personal gains that happen when you help others. Studies have shown that helpers are happier and healthier than others.
- Acts toward helping the greater community reduces personal stress, negative thoughts and feelings. Helpers are more likely to focus on the gifts that they have been given and to practice gratitude.
In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20: 35
Governments and leaders of the world, corporations and industries are being asked to make changes to save the planet because they have political power, influence and financial resources. So you might find yourself wondering:
“I’m only one person. What can I do to help with such a big problem?”
… But the truth is that even one person can make a big difference!
Now that you are pondering why stewardship is important, the following is a list of things that you can do yourself that will make a dent on climate change!
Eliminate or reduce meat from your diet
Meat production (raising cows, pigs and chickens) is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, water and land consumption and pollution. Eating less or no meat will help to combat climate change.
It will also be good for your health too: Research has linked eating a lot of meat to the risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease. So make fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes a bigger part of your diet, and buy sustainable or organic produce when you can.
Buy less clothes and beware of fast fashion
Fast fashion refers to the trend of clothing retailers to make cheap clothes as quickly and frequently as possible. Because they set prices low, consumers are likely to buy more clothes than they need and not think about how wasteful this can be.
Most of these clothes end up in landfills when the trend goes out of style. Lately, I’ve seen charities refuse any more clothing donations because they just don’t have the room. Fast fashion also contributes to water pollution and the use of toxic chemicals. This obsession with buying material things clearly does not recognize why stewardship of the planet is crucial.
In order to be a more conscientious consumer, buy fewer clothes and invest in products that are higher quality and will last longer. Buy from companies that have ethical practices and consider buying clothes from second hand stores.
Eliminate the use of plastic
Plastic products are quickly filling our landfills and oceans. Simply put, human beings everywhere are producing too much garbage. But the single consumer has a lot of power!
Easy things to do are to stop using straws, carry around a reusable coffee mug and drink container, and stop buying plastic water bottles. Aim to buy food that has the least amount of packaging possible. Pack your lunch with reusable containers and stop using sandwich bags. Make your own cleaning products to eliminate all the chemicals and use of multiple plastic containers.
Cook meals at home to answer the call to stewardship
Not only is this a money saver, but you won’t be throwing away plastic utensils, food and drink containers. Your meals will be fresh and have less salt and additives in it.
Also, making a meal together with family members can bring you closer together. There are good reasons why ‘eating with others’ was added to Canada’s Food Guide in 2020.
Reduce the amount of water you use
A lot of energy, chemicals and money go into treating and pumping water. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
So it is wise to use water carefully by simple steps such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing the dishes. Take shorter showers and invest in eco-friendly appliances that use less electricity and water.
Recycle
Making new items from recycled ones takes less energy and fewer resources. Common things that can be recycled are aluminum cans, cardboard, glass, paper, plastic bottles, and yard waste.
Ensure that you know what can and cannot be recycled in your area. Scrub and rinse containers such as peanut butter jars and yogurt containers. Know that the cleaner it is when it gets tossed into the plastic blue bin, the higher chance that it will be remade.
It’s great to recycle, but items can only be recycled so many times. Overall, it is better to reduce what you throw away.
Limit how often you use your vehicle
A significant amount of climate change is due to the use of road vehicles. Most pollution from cars and trucks come from burning fuel; so try to use your vehicle less. This can be done by biking or walking. Consider buying a fuel-efficient, hybrid or electric vehicle.
You can also help when you run multiple errands back to back, and go to places that are close to home.
Conserve Power
Small actions that will have a big impact include turning off your computer and lights when not in use, and reducing the amount of heat and air conditioning that you use. Don’t leave your car idling and consider hanging your clothes to dry rather than using a dryer.
It is not just coincidence that environmentally friendly actions also promote physical health, are financially smart, and improve our relationships with other people. Doing our own part every day will undeniably have a huge impact.
A Reminder of Our Call to Stewardship
To deepen our sense of responsibility and focus on why stewardship is our duty as God’s children, it is helpful to meditate on the lyrics that St. Francis of Assisi composed:
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon -St. Francis of Assisi Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour, Of You Most High, he bears the likeness. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, And fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made. Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water, So useful, humble, precious and pure. Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs. Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death, from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will. No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks, And serve Him with great humility.