environment
10 US mayors join Pope Francis in pledging to combat climate change, trafficking
By Rosie Scammell — July 22, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Among the 10 U.S. mayors to sign the declaration: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and New Orleans Mayor Mitchell Landrieu.
Cardinal George Pell takes a swing at Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical
By Rosie Scammell — July 17, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Until now, Cardinal George Pell had remained quiet on the contents of the encyclical, despite gaining a reputation in Australia as a climate change denier.
Pope Francis’ carbon footprint: Does he practice what he preaches?
By Rosie Scammell — July 9, 2015
(RNS) A quick glance at the pope’s 2015 foreign travel agenda -- 11 countries across five continents -- and the size of the pontiff’s carbon footprint starts to look quite large. But some say the travel is vital to spread his message on climate change.
Pope Francis: We can no longer turn our backs on Mother Earth
By Reuters — July 7, 2015
QUITO (Reuters) "The goods of the earth are meant for everyone, and however much someone may parade his property, it has a social mortgage," Pope Francis told a group of civic leaders in Quito, Ecuador.
Cardinal Peter Turkson: Bishops need to speak up on the environment
By Rosie Scammell — July 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican is planning meetings with the world’s major bishops’ conferences, likely after October, to ensure they are successfully acting on the pope’s wishes.
Pope Francis’ stern climate encyclical faces deep political divides
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — June 16, 2015
(RNS) Catholic Democrats and Republicans are miles apart on the cause and the urgency of global warming. Can the popular pope's urgently written encyclical bridge the gap?
Pope Francis: ‘Let us modify our relationship with natural resources’
By Rosie Scammell — June 11, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “We must begin with our daily lives if we want to change lifestyles, aware that our small gestures can guarantee sustainability and the future of the human family,” said Francis.
‘Blessing of the bikes’ helps churches make climate change a local issue
By Ron Csillag — June 9, 2015
(RNS) Trinity-St. Paul's United Church in Toronto this week held its sixth annual Blessing of the Bikes -- a type of local event that has become more common as a growing number of churches consider the idea that protecting the environment is not just a scientific or political debate, but a spiritual one.
Faith groups seek climate deal boost from Pope, pilgrimage
By Reuters — June 8, 2015
BARCELONA (Reuters) A "People's Pilgrimage" to highlight the effects of climate change and an upcoming papal encyclical on the environment aim this month to invigorate political will for an ambitious new deal to curb global warming.
Vatican kicks off environmental push with climate change summit
By Doyle Rice — April 29, 2015
"The wealthiest countries, the ones who have benefited most from fossil fuels, are morally obligated to push forward and find solutions to climate-related change and so protect the environment and human life," Cardinal Peter Turkson said.
Pope Francis throws the weight of his office behind tackling climate change
By David Gibson — April 15, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) Pope Francis hopes his upcoming encyclical on climate change will influence the next round of talks in Paris on global warming.
Tibetan Buddhist leader blazes an innovative trail
By Joshua Eaton — March 27, 2015
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (RNS) Tibetan monk Ogyen Trinley Dorje has the support of the Dalai Lama and the majority of Tibetans, many of whom believe he will take over the Dalai Lama’s leadership role when the 79-year-old Nobel laureate dies.
Putting our money where our faith is by divesting from fossil fuels (COMMENTARY)
By Jim Wallis — January 22, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) I have started the process of divesting my retirement fund and other savings from fossil fuel companies. Will it make a “Big Oil” company close its doors? No, but it is an opportunity for me to live out my values and witness to my deepest beliefs.
Evangelicals add support for EPA plan to cut coal pollution
By Adelle M. Banks — December 2, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) More than 100,000 "pro-life" evangelicals support the EPA's plan to limit carbon pollution, citing concerns about children's health and changes to the environment.
Union Seminary pulls investments from the ‘sin’ of fossil fuels
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 11, 2014
(RNS) “We have sinned, and we see this divestment as an act of repentance for Union,” Union President Serene Jones says. “Climate change poses a catastrophic threat. As stewards of God’s creation, we simply must act to stop this sin.”
