Laudato Si Quote:
22. These problems (e.g., pollution, industrial waste) are closely linked to a throwaway culture which affects the excluded just as it quickly reduces things to rubbish. To cite one example, most of the paper we produce is thrown away and not recycled. It is hard for us to accept that the way natural ecosystems work is exemplary: plants synthesize nutrients which feed herbivores; these in turn become food for carnivores, which produce significant quantities of organic waste which give rise to new generations of plants. But our industrial system, at the end of its cycle of production and consumption, has not developed the capacity to absorb and reuse waste and by-products. We have not yet managed to adopt a circular model of production capable of preserving resources for present and future generations, while limiting as much as possible the use of non-renewable resources, moderating their consumption, maximizing their efficient use, reusing and recycling them. A serious consideration of this issue would be one way of counteracting the throwaway culture which affects the entire planet, but it must be said that only limited progress has been made in this regard.
Reflection:
- In what ways do I participate in the “throwaway culture”?
- Do I ask myself, before I buy something, is this necessary?
- Am I aware of what happens to the things I am recycling? Am I willing to moderate my consumption of things?
- Is praying for a conversion from things to care for creation part of my intentional prayer life?
Action: Watch the second video in the AMSSND “Integral Vision” series here – Cosmology – God’s Amazing Universe.
Human Trafficking
This year the Ending Human Trafficking Committee will be focusing on the online exploitation of children. Take a moment just to look at the FBI website on crimes against children/online predators which offers definitions and resources. Public Safety Canada offers resources and responses here.
An excellent start to learning more about the online exploitation of children is a webinar “Dismantling Online Exploitation of Children” on Monday, January 31 from 11-12 EST, sponsored by ECPAT-USA. To register for the conference, click here.
Dismantling Racism
Shannon Dee Williams Feb 12 - Click Here
On the Road From Slavery Toward Sainthood
Join the Dismantling Racism Committee on Monday evenings during February, which is Black History Month, for a four-week series focused on six prominent Black Catholics being put forward for Sainthood. The sessions will be held February 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 7-8:30pm Eastern. Please email Sister Sharon Wall (swall@amssnd.org) to register. The deadline is January 28.
Care for Creation
Grow Your Climate Crisis Vocabulary - Food Waste
Food waste is one of world’s worst contributors to greenhouse gases which in turn add to our global climate crisis. The UN estimates that 1/3 of global food produced is wasted and in 2019 they declared September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. UN SDG Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) calls us to produce and consume our food in sustainable ways in order to alleviate hunger, poverty, food insecurity, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
When we waste food, we waste all the water, soil, and energy it takes to grow, transport and distribute our food. When food waste ends up in our landfills and decays, it creates methane gas which is 25 times a more powerful pollutant than carbon dioxide.
Note that the carbon footprint of food waste exceeds that of the entire airline industry; food waste also creates a greenhouse gas footprint bigger than all countries, except China and the U.S.A. Source: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/carbon-footprint-food-waste-bigger-most-countries
Partnership in Haiti
Learn more about what Beyond Borders, our partner in Haiti, is doing to ensure access to quality education here.
What’s happening in Haiti today? Haiti faces daunting challenges as it enters 2022; read more here.
Justice for Immigrants
Think of negotiating all the systems necessary as a young person to even imagine going to college. Now add that you are a DACA or undocumented young person. Add COVID to this. Add English as a second language to this. Add hostility to immigrants to this. Learn more here.
