“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.”

“Then God said, let there be light, and there was light.  God saw how good the light was.”

“Then God said, let there be a dome in the middle of the water, to separate one body of water from the other.  And so it happened.”

“Then God said, let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear.  And so it happened; the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared.  God called the dry land the earth, and the basin of the water He called the sea.  God saw how good it was.”(Genesis 1:1-10).

Pause and reflect

The World Bank reports that about 75% of carbon emissions are a result of the burning of fossil fuels in the United States, and there are several other pollutants other than carbon dioxide and methane that are emitted (Denchak).

Sulfur dioxide emissions contribute to acid rain, and “can exacerbate respiratory ailments, including asthma, nasal congestion, and pulmonary inflammation” (Union of Concerned Scientists).  Coal-fired power plants alone produce two-thirds of sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States (Denchak).  Nitrogen oxides, a result of fossil fuel combustion and fossil fuel-powered vehicles, contribute to acid rain, and can also burn lung tissue and increase chances of respiratory diseases, including asthma and bronchitis (Union of Concerned Scientists).

Every step in the use of fossil fuels from extraction to transportation to waste all contributes to the deterioration of the environment, affecting people’s health.

 Pause and reflect

“Then God said, let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.  And so it happened…. God saw how good it was blessed them.”

“Then God said, let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures; cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.  And so it happened.  God saw how good it was.” (Genesis 1:20-25).

Pause and reflect

While fossil fuels have proven to generate a large amount of global warming emissions, non-fossil fuel energy sources have resulted in less than 1% of global warming emissions (Union of Concerned Scientists). Renewable energy sources are also expected to become cheaper than fossil fuels. Clearly, energy efficiency and renewable energy provide better energy sources for more than one reason.

  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to alleviate the impacts of climate change.  They tell us that progress is being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the progress is slow and more still needs to be done.   IPCC also says that plans for future fossil fuel expansion must be abandoned.  We have all the solutions we need, we just need the will to put into practice what we already know.

Pause and reflect

“God looked at everything He made, and He found it very good.” (Genesis 1:31).

There are things I can do.

I can pray daily that I have the will power to save our planet.

I can incorporate more plant-based foods into my diet.

I can reduce the amount of waste I produce by purchasing products that come with less packaging and/or come in packaging that can be recycled.

I will reduce the amount of plastic packaging and use recycle materials.

Whenever possible I will avoid plastic products such as, cups, utensils, straws and napkins.

A Reflective Prayer for this Moment (David Semmons, O. Carm.)

Breathing in we know that we are breathing in and we thank you for this gift of life.

Venus has been so bright recently. I watch it from my window early in the morning until it rises too high for the window and the dawn begins to light the sky. I see it through the tree whose leaves are just coming out again. It is beautiful. Thank you.

There is much suffering now.  

The cry of the earth is the cry of the poor.  So many migrating from places that can no longer support them.  So much suffering.  And among those migrating there are some that have learned to carry the suffering lightly, even joyfully. They lighten the suffering of all around them. These are teachers. May we sit at their feet as students.  They have learned how to transform the suffering. They must have listened and carry your teaching.  May we be silent and still enough to learn from them.

They have nothing remarkable in their appearance.  Just like the shiny black beans I planted recently.  Unremarkable, yet when they rise again from the soil the transformation is amazing.  Who would have thought they have all that in them.

So this is a prayer for this moment.  May we watch these teachers and know how to recognize them.  Like watching Venus as it rises early in the morning.  And in the silent darkness practice.  So that we too may carry your teaching to lighten suffering around us as dawn begins to light the sky.  Thank you. Amen.

For resources on World Environment Day go to United Nations World Environment Day 2022 at: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global.