Climate Change

The Duty toward Creation is Essential to Faith

Our Influence is Uncertain

 

Climate Change is a Fact

“The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”
Pope Francis, 23
“Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith.”
Pope St. John Paul II, 15

A ‘Topic’ for Catholic Social Teaching?

 

YES!

“In his desire to have and to enjoy rather than to be and to grow, man consumes the resources of the earth and his own life in an excessive and disordered way…In this regard, humanity today must be conscious of its duties and obligations towards future generations.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 37)

The earth is a precious gift of the Creator, who has designed its intrinsic order, thus giving us guidelines to which we must hold ourselves as stewards of his creation…In my recent Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, I referred more than once to such questions.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

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“It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter (Laudato Si’), which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.” (Pope Francis, 15)

Climate Change is one topic among a myriad of ecological and environmental issues facing us. In Solidarity with our fellow man, the Church insists we have a responsibility to evaluate and prioritize environmental issues and, using our prudential judgment, address as many of those so prioritized as we can.

However…

It is complicated: To be sure, change in climate is a fact of science. The extent to which human activity influences it is not settled science. As well, whether some measures proposed to reduce emissions will do more harm than good is also not a settled matter. Pressing ahead as though these things are settled matters may make the Church look less like responsible stewards of God’s creation and more like political agents.

Addressing Climate Change

Climate change has become such an issue that nations gather to discuss addressing it, such as at the United Nations Climate Change Conference

Who is Responsible?

“[T]he direct duty to work for a just ordering of society…is proper to the lay faithful”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 29)

It is up to the lay faithful to implement Catholic social teaching in the world: Gaudium et Spes (the Pastoral Constitution On The Church In The Modern World) establishes this responsibility.

“Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation. For Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.” (Pope Francis, 3.1)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks above a sign labeled

Is it a Political Issue?

Clearly, in the US, the answer is ‘yes’.

One political party committed the country to a significant international accord on the topic (The Paris Agreement) and has proposed a “Green New Deal” which would allocate tremendous resources to it; the other party has withdrawn the US from the international accord and opposes the other party’s current proposals.

A climate change protester carries a sign saying,

Fulfilling My Obligation

“[T]he formation of just structures…belongs to the world of politics”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 29)

“Politics is an essential means of building human community and institutions”. (Pope Francis)

“We, Christians, cannot ‘play Pilate’ and wash our hands…We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics.” (Pope Francis)

Pope Francis recognizes that this “is not easy; politics has become too tainted. But I ask myself: Why has it become tainted? Because Christians have not participated in politics with an evangelical spirit? …To work for the common good is a Christian duty, and many times the way in which to work towards it is through politics.” (Address to the Students of the Jesuit Schools of Italy and Albania, June 7, 2013)

Arguments about climate change take place on the floor of the United States senate

How Best to Address Politically

[W]hat does it mean, in practical terms, to promote moral truth in the world of politics…?

  • It means acting in a responsible way on the basis of an objective and integral
    knowledge of the facts;
  • deconstructing political ideologies which end up supplanting truth and
    human dignity in order to promote pseudo-values under the pretext of peace,
    development and human rights;
  • fostering an unswerving commitment to base positive law on the principles of the natural law.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)

Has the Case Been Made Effectively?

NO!

Since the topic of climate change is clearly political, resolution must entail public education and debate. This requires addressing climate change starting from Catholic social teaching principles rather than from positions.

‘People of goodwill’ should dialogue – and they can disagree on “positions” – as long as their prudential judgement is well formed (ala Pope Benedict XVI’s ‘matrix’ above and a deep internalization of Catholic social teaching principles.)

What is the Current State of Affairs?


Updated 2024

“On almost every environment and climate change and global warming issue we have tested, there are major partisan gaps.” (Gallup – Frank Newport)

In fact, “Democrats and Republicans have grown further apart over the last decade in their assessments of the threat posed by climate change.” (Pew Research 2023)

Indeed, one of the starkest displays of political polarization in the U.S. is on the subject of climate change with Americans “who view climate change as a major threat” being: Democrat = 78%; Republican = 23%. (Pew Research 2023, 5)

And, overall, Americans rank climate change as 17th out of 21 national issues in a 2023 (Pew Research) study with the Yale Climate Change Study reporting “Global Warming Should be a High Priority”: Democrat: 48%; Republican: 5% (Yale Climate Change Communication)

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The Yale Program on Climate Change Communications bears this out:

In 2022, climate change was viewed as caused by human activity by: (Explore Climate Change in the American Mind)

  • 25% of conservative Republicans
  • 47% of liberal/moderate Republicans
  • 54% of the Independents;
  • 71% of moderate/conservative Democrats
  • 88% of liberal Democrats

Similar percentages reported there being a “scientific consensus” on the issue. (Explore Climate Change in the American Mind)

“Perhaps more troubling was that over the period 2017-2022 Independents agreeing climate change was human caused had dropped from 60% to 54%”. (Explore Climate Change in the American Mind)

A large iceberg, a frequent representation of the dangers of climate change
A group of people sitting on couches, holding a discussion, perhaps about climate change

The Need for Discussion

 

“An integral ecology is inseparable from the notion of the common good, a central and unifying principle of social ethics.” (Pope Francis, 156)

With such a significant number of Americans not viewing human caused climate change as a “long held truth”, their perception must be addressed in order to form the political consensus required for any immediate and extensive solutions.

For this to occur (as for all critical social issues) discussion is needed! Indeed, discussing climate change is required to adequately form consciences (with the tenets of Catholic social teaching) and find/agree solutions.

“To break through the communications barriers of human nature, partisan identity, and media fragmentation, messages need to be tailored to a specific medium and audience…that trigger a new way of thinking about the personal relevance of climate change.” (Matthew Nisbet)

The Need for Faith & Science

This suggests activities by Catholics should focus on grassroots efforts to educate people and shape individual behaviors, and, perhaps, this is an area where science and faith need each other:

“The faith community really can’t understand this problem without understanding the science … and the scientific community is going to need the faith community to inspire and motivate and provide a different kind of vision for how we live on this planet together…I think until that dialogue really kind of ratchets up, it’s going to be tough for either community to go this alone. In other words, we can’t do this without the science and technology that they are going to bring, and they won’t be able to change minds and hearts without us.” (Dan Misleh, Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant)

A large cross stands near two benches on the edge of a lake. Faith must play a part in our attitude toward climate change

In Summary

If the time to address global warming is truly short and human actions can ameliorate it – one can and must make the political case for such action.
And, Americans seem to be open and willing to listen.
As Mr. Newport, of Gallup, noted: “Americans are, in essence, open to argument about the relative benefits of the Paris Agreement. That is, Americans are open to argument about the accord’s positive impact of helping the environment and reducing the upward trend in the earth’s temperature on the one hand, and its cost in terms of slowing job growth and increasing federal expenditures, as well as its fairness to the U.S. on the other.”

What About other Environmental Issues?

“The natural environment is given by God to everyone, and its use entails a personal responsibility towards the whole of humanity”.
Pope Benedict XVI
Everyday air pollutants directly affect our health. Toxic dumps represent major public health hazards. The amount of waste and garbage poisoning landfills and the oceans…There are numerous, pressing environmental issues crying out for solutions: Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Soil and Land Pollution; Deforestation; Effect on Marine Life; Loss of Biodiversity; Household and Industrial Waste; Radioactive Waste Disposal; Landfills, etc. The impact of many of these issues is also borne disproportionately by the poor, in developing nations.

In focusing extensively on Climate Change is it worth considering: Are we missing “the forest for the trees”?

Catholic Social Teaching and Other Issues

Transgenderism

We are facing a crisis in human sexuality caused by a representation of human anthropology that cancels out differences between men and women.

CLICK to read more.

Abortion

One of the most divisive issues during the past 50 years! Why is the Church so one-sided (and must always be so)?

CLICK to read more.

Racism is contrary to Christ and the teachings of the Gospel

Racism in the United States

The belief humanity can be divided into separate and exclusive biological entities with some races innately superior to others. This leads to personal and societal prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity. What does Catholic social teaching have to say about such an insidious “ism”? CLICK to read more.

The Church has consistently spoken out against socialism in all its forms, most recently, democratic socialism

Democratic Socialism

Candidates for President of the United States and many in congress espouse this as an alternative model for our country. What, exactly, is it? What does the Catholic Church say? CLICK to read more.

Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.

Climate Change

One political party committed the US to the Paris Agreement and proposes a “Green New Deal”. Another party withdrew from the Paris Agreement and inimically opposes the other’s proposal. What does Catholic social teaching say? CLICK to read more.

national health care

Universal Healthcare

US health care is, in many ways, the envy of the world. Would universal, or national, healthcare improve it? See how Catholic social teaching can inform the discussion! CLICK to read more.

Covid-19 is tearing families, communities, and nations apart. Catholic social teaching can guide us through it.

COVID-19

The Crisis and the Cure: How does Catholic social teaching evaluate governments’ response?

CLICK to read more.

The Family is the answer to the poisons destroying our society.

The Family

The answer to the dangers to our society.

“The future of humanity passes by way of the family.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 86)​

CLICK to read more.

The Family is the answer to the poisons destroying our society.

The Common Good

The Common Good is not a principle, but an aspirational result: “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)

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The Church has identified four dangers to society, pathologies, eating away at our culture.

The Four Dangers to Society

The Church identifies the major ‘risks and problems’ eating away at our cultural, economic and political systems. What are they?

CLICK to read more.

Consumerism is a terrible affliction of the developed world and an affront to human dignity.

Consumerism

Having and wanting a lot of ‘stuff’ is at the heart of several of society’s ills. Which ones? Why does this limit our freedom?

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Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.

Dignity of Work

"We were created with a vocation to work."

CLICK to read more.

Our environments, both our physical and human (moral), are in peril, in more ways than you likely realize

Environmental Degradation

Yes! The environment is in danger. But, it is actually worse (and, more complicated) than you think.

CLICK to read more.

God has called us to be stewards of this world, our physical environment and common home.

Physical Environment

This is about more than ‘just’ protecting the environment. There are profound spiritual dimensions involved.

CLICK to read more.

How many talk about the serious destruction of our human environment where we grow, live, and work?

Human Environment

“[W]e must also mention the more serious destruction of the human environment, something which is by no means receiving the attention it deserves.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 38) CLICK to read more.

Physical and human environments are linked and only integral ecology can care or them both.

Integral Ecology

The solution to all our environmental problems!

CLICK to read more.

alienation

Alienation

Society and individuals are alienated! We are “marked by a ‘globalization of indifference’ that makes us…closed in on ourselves.” (Pope Francis, 1)  The consequences are devastating! CLICK to read more.

marriage

Marriage

The foundation of the family.

"[T]ranscends the feelings and momentary needs of the couple”. It is born “from the depth of the obligation assumed by the spouses". (Pope Francis, 66)

CLICK to read more.

Radical Secularism

[COMING SOON]

“The greatest challenge of our time”! (Pope Benedict XVI, 3) Why? Radical secularism holds that there is no such thing as an objective truth. But, “Without truth, without trust and love for what is true...social action ends up serving private interests and the logic of power.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 5) Sound familiar?

Why These Issues Matter

Catholic social teaching informs our consciences and requires action from us, the lay faithful. “Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.
For Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.

Three Key Principles

Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles – Human DignitySolidarity and Subsidiarity. Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles: “The State must contribute to the achievement of these goals both directly and indirectly. Indirectly and according to the principle of subsidiarityby creating favorable conditions for the free exercise of economic activity, which will lead to abundant opportunities for employment and sources of wealth. Directly and according to the principle of solidarityby defending the weakest” (Pope St. John Paul II, 15)

Human Dignity

This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person’s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God’s image. This is “the basis not only of the unity of the human family but also of our inviolable human dignity” (Pope Benedict XVI) and it is in this beginning that human rights are grounded.

Solidarity

Solidarity is not “a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good” (Pope St. John Paul II, 38). Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment. “We cannot believe in God the Father without seeing a brother or sister in every person, and we cannot follow Jesus without giving our lives for those for whom he died on the cross.” (Pope Francis)

Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity identifies how decisions in society need to be taken at the lowest competent level. “It is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies”. (Pope Pius XI, 79)

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