Action Alert

August 2013

Charity Federation Focus on Climate Change

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is on August 9.  This day recognizes the global communities’ responsibility to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Persons.  Yet, when it comes to climate change and its effects on those living in poverty, the global community is in need of much growth. 

 

A recent article highlights a 15-year-old from Tami-heruwa village in India’s north-eastern state of Assam who has seen her life reduced from lessons and homework to household chores.  This is due to the consequences of recurrent droughts and floods of which has destroyed their farm land home; they depend on agriculture as a means to sustain their family and of which experts attribute to climate change.  She is among thousands in the geographic area who have been forced to drop out of education and either work in the home or become daily wage laborers to support their families.  According to Centre for Environment, Social and Policy Research (CESPR), girls and women have suffered the most negative consequences from climate change.  The research group noted that when a mother decides to go out in search of work, the responsibility of the house usually falls to the girl and she is asked to leave school. 

 

This story and many others from around the world related to climate change, challenges individuals and groups to reflect and act more intentionally.  The U.S. and Canadian Congregations of the Sisters of Charity Federation of North America social justice representatives and recently the Vincentian Family of North America have been collaborating on justice issues since January.  The group acknowledges that individual congregations continue to put forth efforts around the issues related to Climate Change.  Thus, the following statement:

 

The social justice representatives for the U.S. and Canadian Congregations of the Sisters of Charity Federation of North America as well as the Vincentian Family Collaborators of North America invite us all to respond to the crisis of global climate change as one of the central ethical issues of our time. Vincent de Paul challenged us to see persons living in poverty as the presence of Christ.

 

Faithfulness to our charism challenges us:

• To efficacious compassion toward the brokenness of Earth and its life systems;
•  To recognize that persons living in poverty and on the margins suffer first from the effects of global climate change;
• To learn to discern and celebrate the presence of God in Earth;
• To evaluate our lifestyle choices; 
• To integrate this heightened awareness in our consciousness, congregational documents and actions.        (June 2013)  

In the story above, it is evident to see that not just those currently living in poverty but also those living semi-comfortably likely won’t have the economic or technological resources to adapt to the impacts of climate change.  In addition to addressing the short-term solutions of those living in poverty, long-term solutions also need to be addressed in the form of sustainability.  

 

Does sustainability refer to sustained economic growth, and an environment that is able to maintain the status quo with our energy-intensive, consumer driven needs? Or does sustainability refer to the whole ecosystem, an interconnected web of life with its vast and rich diversity of species? What is the relationship between sustainability and the economy? 

 

According to Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee (editor of Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth), deep ecology maintains that the idea of endless economic growth is unsustainable, and that business as usual will destroy the beauty and diversity of our world. It calls for new economic models, which respect and support the ecosystem of which we are a part.”  Wendell Berry challenges individuals to consider the more spiritual dimension of ecology stating, “that which has long been understood by indigenous peoples is that our relationship to the Earth is spiritually as well as physically sustaining.”  Many individuals are at a disconnect wtih Earth; this is implied in the many ways individuals, businesses, groups, and communities live their lives.  Satish Kumar states, "the contemporary environmental movement, in the main, follows the path of empirical science, rational thinking, data collection and external action. This is good as far as it goes but it doesn't go far enough. We need to include care of the soul as a part of care of the planet."   

 

Reflections/Actions:

• While members of the Sisters of Charity Federation have made commitments around many of the challenges in the statement above, it is imperative to ask, what more can I/we be and do?  
•  Be with these Scripture passages and listen to their voice: Mark 10: 17-22; Luke 6:20-25; Luke 16:13-15. 
• Thich Nhat Hanh asks, “Have I heard the bells of mindfulness through Earth’s experience of floods, droughts, wildfires, and other disasters?”
• How might my/our life/lives change if we were to be in solidarity with the hardships of those struggling as a result of climate change?
• How does my life demonstrate the reality, "the world is not a problem to be solved; it is a living being to which we belong.” 
•  U.S. citizens are invited to call President Obama urging him to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.
• The Earth Charter Initiative continues to call individuals to greater action.
• Scientists continue to share climate change information and its’ socio-economic impacts.
• JoannaMacy has some excellent reflections.
• CatholicSocial Teaching on climate change, the St. Francis Pledge and many other resources.
• The Do The Math documentary is a 42-minute film about the rising movement in the United States to change the terrifying maths of the climate crisis and challenge the fossil fuel industry.  You can find the video on youtube.  More information is here.  
• ChasingIce is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. 
•  The Forum of Religion and Ecology at Yale is international and inter-religious in scope.
• Three magazine websites that continue to highlight the issue include Orion, Yes, and Mother Jones.            
• Consider praying with this ecological examen
• All creation (i.e. all that is of Earth) reflects the beauty and blessing of God’s image.  Where am I most aware of this today?
• How am I currently making a conscious effort to care soulfully for any aspect of God’s creation? 
• What challenges and joys do I experience as I become more interdependent, physically and spiritually, with all creation?
• In what aspects do I maintain an unspoken sense of superiority with creation?  What might I do to repair these broken aspects of relationship? 
• In what areas do I ask for grace to be more mindful of the Incarnate Christ in my relationship with all creation?
• Prayer: The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.  I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  (adapted from Joseph Carver, SJ)

Immigration Legislation Update

While the Senate passed one piece of legislation in June, the House has yet to pass any piece of legislation and certainly does not desire the Senate version (S.744).  The House Judiciary Committee recently held hearings with undocumented youth in an effort to examine a pathway to citizenship for those who were brought by their parents.  No path has yet been set out for undocumented adults.  As a result, it appears as though the House is going to piece-meal immigration reform.  Will coalition pressure, the solidarity of undocumented youth who may have a path to citizenship or the economy persuade House leaders to embrace a pathway to citizenship for all?  

Farm Bill Update

Both the Senate and House have passed their version of the Farm Bill.  Missing in the House bill was domestic (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) and international food aid.  The House Farm Bill was sent back to the House to decide if a separate nutrition bill will be taken up or if they wish to negotiate off the Senate bill.  SNAP  is permanently authorized and will not be in any danger until September 30 as is the current Farm Bill.  If no decision is reached, congress does require SNAP to continue being funded through annual appropriation bills. 

Reflections/Actions:

• Watch and take the latest action for comprehensive immigration reform at Justice For Immigrants and watch the SCN Newsline for further action.
• NETWORK has a fact sheet on immigration and a site to urge Congress that immigration reform is needed now at this location. 
• Urge U.S. Representatives to strengthen programs that reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the U.S. protecting SNAP from any cuts and structural changes.  Additionally, urge them to sustain robust international food aid and to improve the nutritional quality of food aid.