Let's talk about the weather

Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change

September 15, 2023

Flooded streets are seen in downtown Montpelier, Vermont, July 11, 2023. (OSV News/Reuters/Brian Snyder)

"Talking about the weather" used to be a phrase that described the type of casual conversation that takes place between acquaintances who don't have much in common, or between good friends who simply want to pass time relaxing in each other's company with no real agenda or concerns.

But after the last several months of record-breaking heat, unseasonably intense wildfires, hazardous air quality, life-threatening droughts and extreme flooding across all parts of the planet, weather can no longer just be the focus of insignificant small talk.

Extreme weather is now a daily headline of urgent importance with personal and profound resonance for communities everywhere.

In June, NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe reported that in a Pew Research Center survey, 69% of Americans said in the past year they have experienced extreme weather at least once. It's difficult not to wonder how many of those in the 31% who said they had not experienced extreme weather might change their answer now at the end of the summer.

And globally, extreme weather events have been such a prominent part of peoples' experiences throughout the past decade that Pope Francis is reportedly making them the focus of his new apostolic exhortation set to be released on Oct. 4, the feast day of the patron saint of ecology and his own namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.

Science shows that these weather events are happening with increased intensity because of climate change, which is driven primarily by burning fossil fuels. And that information helps us know how best to mitigate climate change impacts in the future from a practical and strategic perspective.

In an essay on Tuesday at EarthBeat, co-authors Damian Costello, a Catholic theologian, and Randy Kritkausky, an Indigenous environmentalist, asked a slightly different question. After experiencing catastrophic flooding in Montpelier, Vermont, in July, they wanted to know what the moments after such events can teach us about how to move forward from ecological disasters in a way that better respects humanity's relationship with the Earth as intended by the Creator. While approaching the question from different educational backgrounds and spiritual traditions, the scholars share conviction that one particular story might offer the holistic guidance we need.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

Pope sends prayers after flooding kills thousands in Libya

by Catholic News Service

After a severe storm set off flooding that breached dams in eastern Libya, leading to the deaths of thousands of people, Pope Francis sent his condolences and prayers.

'We're keeping all in God's mercy,' says bishop as despair mounts amid flooding in Libya

by Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News

As authorities in Libya announced a three-day mourning period following a deadly flood disaster, Bishop George Bugeja, apostolic vicar of Tripoli, expressed the church's closeness to the people, many of whom are injured, missing or trapped by the storm waters.

Pope Francis and Bill Clinton set discussion on climate change at Clinton Global Initiative

by Glenn Gamboa, The Associated Press

Pope Francis will discuss how to address the world's pressing issues with former President Bill Clinton to open this year's Clinton Global Initiative. Francis will discuss broad issues — including climate change, the refugee crisis, the welfare of children — during an onstage videoconference with Clinton.

Pope calls for literacy in peacemaking, care for the environment

by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

Marking International Literacy Day, Pope Francis sent a message to Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, encouraging efforts to teach reading and writing to the hundreds of millions of people in the world who do not have basic literacy skills, but he also focused on the education needed to help all people contribute to building sustainable and peaceful societies.

Transitions are messy, both in nature and in daily life

by Jane Marie Bradish

It's not just the changing seasons that bring transitions. All of us face transitions on a regular basis. Growth requires change. It's those in-between times, transition times, growth times, that are bothering me right now.

What's happening in other climate news:

Earth is outside its 'safe operating space for humanity' on most key measurements, study says —Seth Borenstein for The Associated Press

Climate change protesters block entrance to Citigroup headquarters in Lower Manhattan; 2 dozen arrested —for CBS News

EPA bolsters states' control of water, infrastructure permitting —E.A. Crunden for E&E News

More U.S. households now need AC due to climate change — but some can't afford it —Aaron Bolton for NPR

The world's biggest carbon capture facility is being built in Texas. Will it work? —Oliver Milman for The Guardian

Final Beat:

We're nearly halfway through EarthBeat's 2023 Season of Creation series of twice-weekly "Creature Features" that include a new illustration by Ryan McQuade paired with a recirculated essay or report from the EarthBeat archives sent out via email and posted to EarthBeat's Instagram page every Tuesday and Thursday through Oct. 4. And our followers and readers are loving them.

"I might get a tattoo of this one," said one follower about the whale.

"I would love a print of this!" said another about the honeybee.

Requests for a book of them all came from a few more after the release of the piping plover.

Join the conversation in appreciation of all God's creatures and the artistic creativity of humans, too, by following @earthbeatncr on Instagram and signing up for the EarthBeat Reflections newsletter here.

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

Stephanie Clary
Environment Editor
National Catholic Reporter
sclary@ncronline.org
Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr