Environmental Issues
World Environment Day 2009
'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'
World Environment Day is commemorated each year on 5 June.
The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'.
It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.
For more information visit the WED 2009 website: http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/
World Environment Day Prayer
USG/UISG Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission (Rome)
You are invited and asked to share with your members the WED Prayer composed for this day.
It was developed by members of the USG/UISG Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome (see http://www.jpic.it/ ). The dream of the members is that all consecrated religious throughout the world, together with their friends and collaborators, will not only be aware of this day but join with others in prayerful celebration of this day. They encourage the adaptation and use of this prayer for the particular ministry or setting where you are.
Download the World Environment Day Prayer here.
Green Your Daily Routine
Daily Tips from the UNEP
This year’s theme for World Environment Day (WED) is Your Planet Needs You! UNite to Combat Climate Change. But too often we are presented with environmental problems without being given the tools to act. WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the UNEP's Daily do something Tips are a great start.
For more information click here
Twelve Steps to Combat Climate Change
Whether you are an individual, an organization, a business or a government, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your carbon emissions, the total of which is described as your carbon footprint. You may think you don’t know where to begin, but by reading this, you have already begun.
Click here: www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/steps12.asp
Calculate your Ecological Footprint
Find out about the concept of an "ecological footprint" and calculate the ecological impact of our lifestyles at home, work, office and school.
Ecological Footprint (EPA Victoria)
Calculators (Personal/Home/School/Office) (EPA Victoria)
Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit
Whether you are an individual, an organization, a business or a government, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your carbon emissions, the total of which is described as your carbon footprint.
Bishops' Statement on Climate Change
Climate Change - Our Responsibility to Sustain God's Earth
In November 2005 Catholic Earthcare Australia presented a Position Paper on Climate Change endorsed by the Bishops' Committee for Justice, Development, Ecology and Peace.
"Climate Change - Our Responsibility to Sustain God's Earth" was presented by Bishop Christopher Toohey at the Catholic Bishops' National Conference on Climate Change in Canberra, November 2005.
This beautifully illustrated document reminds us all that: "We are intimately interconnected with...other living creatures, the atmosphere, the land and the water systems."
Climate Change - Our Responsibility to Sustain God's Earth (text only)
To order print copies click here
For major papers presented at the Conference, click here
Earth Hour 2009
March 28 2009
Earth Hour 2009 aims to reach more than one billion people in 1000 cities around the world, asking communities, business and governments to switch off the lights at 8.30pm on March 28th, for 1 hour. This historic, global event hopes to send a strong message to our global leaders that, together, our small actions will represent a global vote for action on climate change, but we need your help!
Sign up and be counted. By doing this, you will help make Earth Hour the largest climate event in history. This will send a powerful message to our world leaders to support a new climate change agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen in December 2009.
The Gift of Water
Bishops’ Statement on the Murray-Darling Basin
"The Gift of Water" is a statement from Catholic Earthcare Australia endorsed by Catholic Bishops of the Murray-Darling Basin region.
Click here to download a PowerPoint presentation (16.4MB) which summarises the main points of the Statement.
Click here to download The Gift of Water in PDF format (3MB)
Climate Change and Pastoral Commitments
Bishop Christopher Toohey
The address by Bishop Christopher Toohey - Chair, Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Justice and Service - at the recent Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Study Seminar on Climate Change and Development (Rome, 26-27 April 2007)
Download text of Bishops Toohey's address here
Vatican signs up carbon offset forest
Set to become 'first entirely carbon neutral sovereign state'
"The Holy See has accepted an offer from a climate solutions company to plant a forest in Hungary which will offset the Vatican's carbon dioxide emissions and make it the'first entirely carbon neutral sovereign state.' "
More from CathNews: http://www.cathnews.com/news/707/76.php
See also:
"Vatican goes solar" (CathNews): http://www.cathnews.com/news/705/160.php
Faith groups issue environmental challenge
An interfaith ecology network (the Faith and Ecology Network) is calling on believers to show leadership in tackling climate change.
More from CathNews: www.cathnews.com/news/707/36.php
Carbon-conscious Religious aim to reduce eco-footprint
CathNews, 27 July 2007
Catholic Religious Australia is aiming to reduce carbon emissions by negotiating a bulk purchase of hybrid motor vehicles as well as by installing solar panels on church facilities.
More from CathNews:
http://www.cathnews.com/news/707/155.php
Unjust Genes
Life and Death for Sale
A DVD and Booklet to aid your discussion and action on Genetically Engineered Food from The Columban Mission Institute (26 minutes)
Who can own life?
Who can control food?
GE Food: Who wants it?
Who benefits?
Interviews with scientists, farmers and missionaries.
