Here in the Diocese of Stockton, California, we are living out our call to care for God’s creation and God’s people. The Environmental Justice Program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton sees addressing our concerns about dangerous air quality, responding to our historic drought, and doing our part to fight climate change as essential to caring for the poorest and most vulnerable residents among us. These families contribute the least to environmental damage, but suffer from it the most.

You and your parish can respond to Pope Francis’ Call to Action. Here are 10 practical ways you can protect creation – it will benefit your wallet, your neighbors near and far, and hopefully your spirit as well.

• Turn off your engine rather than idling when you are stopped for more than a minute - when dropping kids off at school, waiting for a train, or chatting with the neighbors. This limits the emissions that pollute our air and cause respiratory illnesses like asthma.
• Use Fair Trade products to support local artisans and farmers and protect the environment. Learn about Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade and the impact it has on vulnerable communities around the world.
• Store food in reusable containers, not plastic wrap or foil, to cut down on your household trash. This kind of waste fills up landfills, litters neighborhoods, and contributes to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
• Avoid using Styrofoam at your parish functions. Styrofoam can rarely be recycled, and it takes 500 years to decompose in landfills! If you can’t use “real” dishes, opt instead for recyclable or biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils.
• Conserve water by shortening shower time, not letting water run when brushing your teeth or washing your car, and ensuring your sprinklers are watering plants, not the sidewalk or street. Consider landscaping that is drought tolerant or resistant to local pests - you’ll save water and limit use of pesticides.
• Recycle bottles, cans, plastic, paper, and old electronics. This can also be a great way to raise money for your parish, youth group, or mission trip. Make sure your electronic recycler does not ship e-waste overseas, where components are often dismantled in unsafe conditions or even by children.
• Do a home or parish energy audit. You will be able to identify where you can patch air leaks, switch out light bulbs, or improve insulation. You’ll conserve energy, reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, and save money!
• Start a parish or community garden. You will eat healthier and can donate the abundance to a local food pantry. This is especially meaningful if you live or worship in a low-income neighborhood, many of which lack access to fresh, healthy food. Compost the garden waste and you’ll have great nutrients to put back into the soil next year.
• Suggest and help organize an environmental awareness day at your parish, especially for the World Day of Prayer for Creation on September 1st, or as part of October’s Respect Life Month.
• Ask your elected representatives to support legislation that limits carbon pollution, protects natural resources, supports international efforts to fight climate change, protects environmental health, or promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

These actions may seem small compared to the threat of climate change, but Pope Francis reminds us that “many things have to change of course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change.” (Laudato’ Si, 202)

Yolanda Park is Environmental Justice Program Assistant at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton. For more ideas, you can visit their website, follow them on Twitter, or find them on Facebook.

Going Deeper!
Join Pope Francis to care for God’s creation on Sept. 1. Numerous resources for this day are available on the USCCB environmental justice page and the WeAreSaltAndLight.org Laudato Si’ page, including prayers, discussion guides, individual action steps, and more.