Pope Francis, Laudate Deum: EarthBeat's top stories of 2023

Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change

December 22, 2023

Pope Francis responds to questions from rectors of public and private universities from Latin America and the Caribbean at the Vatican Sept. 21, 2023. The pope told the group his new document on the environment would be titled Laudate Deum (Praise God). (CNS/Vatican Media)

Each year at EarthBeat, we round up a list of our most popular articles to share with you. EarthBeat's top stories of 2023 will publish on the website next week, but I thought I would give our loyal newsletter readers an early look at which stories most resonated with you this year.

For the purposes of this list, popularity is measured by pageviews on the website. But pageviews are just one measure of a story's impact, and I always take personal feedback from you — our readers — to heart.

Let me know if your favorite 2023 EarthBeat story is on the list! And if not, I would love to hear from you which articles you found to be the most interesting, surprising, challenging or hopeful. Send me an email at sclary@ncronline.org or message me on Instagram at @stephanieclaryncr.

by Brian Roewe

The Chicago Archdiocese announced that its nearly 400 parishes, schools, cemeteries and offices will switch to 100% renewable energy sources for electricity, beginning in January.

Bishop says climate change affects farms, migrants in Washington state

by Aleja Hertzler-McCain

Like Catholic parishioners across the Yakima Diocese, Bishop Joseph Tyson can tell the warming climate is changing the land in central Washington state, where farmworkers "feel the effects of heat and of smoke."

My endangered Mojave desert tortoise led an epic Advent adventure

by Katie Lemaire

I've tried Jesse Trees, devotionals and mini-retreats, but none have helped my Advent experience. Small, relatable situations of waiting remind me God's creation is replete with miracles and mysteries.

How Christmas trees help heal the land and grow family traditions

by Damian Costello

Some ecologically minded people hesitate or oppose harvesting Christmas trees. But a shift fostered by Indigenous people claims that harvesting something respectfully helps the species, the land and humans flourish.

What's happening in other climate news:

Biden moves to ban most old-growth logging in national forests —Anna Phillips for The Washington Post

Supreme Court takes up fight over EPA smog crackdown —Pamela King and Sean Reilly for E&E News

Environmental Protection in the Name of God —Rebecca Randall for Atmos

Photos reveal intensity, insecurity and inequality in 2023 as world altered by climate change —Peter Prengaman for The Associated Press

Final Beat:

On the first four Mondays of January 2024, EarthBeat will share creation-themed devotions from Kat Armas' book Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture (Brazos Press). To receive these devotions in your inbox, sign up for the EarthBeat Reflections newsletter before Jan. 1.

I won't send this newsletter next Friday, Dec. 29, because I will be "out of office" for the week. If you would like to receive EarthBeat's stories in your inbox each day they are published, you can sign up for the EarthBeat Daily newsletter here.

Happy holidays and thanks for reading EarthBeat!

Stephanie Clary
Environment Editor
National Catholic Reporter
sclary@ncronline.org
Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr
Twitter/X: @scherp01