In Arizona, moral action to protect the environment

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March 22, 2024

From left: Ellen Fisher, assistant director of the Catholic University of American in Tucson, Gabrielle Cardenas, a Catholic from South Tucson, Brian Eller, Pima County public health official, and Tucson Bishop Edward Weisenburger take part in a March 18 event on air pollution at the University of Arizona in Tucson. (Courtesy of Bishop Edward Weisenburger)

On Monday evening at the University of Arizona, Tucson Bishop Edward Weisenburger was thanked by area Catholic school students for his advocacy on clean air and climate action, reported NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe.

The recognition came during an event titled "Clean Air Saves Lives: Moral Action to Protect the Environment," during which attendees heard from Brian Eller, a Pima County health and community services staff member, Gabrielle Cardenas, a Catholic young adult leader and South Tucson resident and Mariana Gonzalez, lead organizer of the event through Catholic Adventure Young Adult Community, as well as the bishop, who spoke on a panel moderated by Ellen Fisher, the assistant director of The Catholic University of America – Tucson.

In his remarks, Weisenburger offered thanks of his own — to Pope Francis for having "the nerve" to call out the United States in Laudate Deum for its disproportionate contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which are a leading contributor to climate change.

The bishop paraphrased the pope as saying, "America, you're causing a huge amount of this, now get with the program." And Weisenburger wants to be part of that program, he said.

EarthBeat interviewed Weisenburger last year after he placed an op-ed on climate change in his local Arizona newspaper. When asked ahead of its release what he hoped to see in the pope's apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, he said he would welcome and echo a stronger challenge to the U.S.:

"I would be very open to him issuing maybe a little bit stronger challenge for us to meet the needs of the day, especially in America where we continue to use a gravely disproportionate amount of fossil fuels compared to around the world, and have the ability to change much more than we have. A stronger challenge to us would be a good thing, and I look forward to echoing his message."

It seems he's following through on that statement, and Arizona Catholics have noticed.

Earthbeat interview: Bishop Weisenburger says climate change is an issue of 'life and death'

What else is new on EarthBeat:

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How could I be a seeker of justice, an activist for restoration and embodied love, when so much termed "justice" felt morally murky? Was everything deemed "justice" actually good?

Family farmers invaluable to future of agriculture, pope says

by Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service

Family farming is the key to making systems of food production and consumption more "inclusive, resilient and efficient," Pope Francis said.

Was Jesus vegetarian? New 'Christspiracy' documentary says yes.

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Is there an ethical or spiritual way to kill an animal? That’s the question that animates "Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret," the forthcoming documentary that suggests Jesus and many of his early followers opposed the killing and eating of animals.

Syracuse Catholic parish wins national environmental prize

by Camillo Barone

A task force at All Saints Church has won the 2024 Cool Congregations Challenge in the "Community Inspiration" category. The annual competition celebrates efforts by U.S. religious congregations to combat climate change.

Lithium mines threaten South America's Native cultures, wealth and water

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Lithium is key in the global fight against climate change. But to extract it, mines suck water out of the region's water, tethered to the lives of thousands of Indigenous communities in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.

Loyola Chicago conference notes Gen Z's role in securing food on warming planet

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A Loyola Chicago conference focused on climate change's impact on global food production and security. Younger generations are playing an important role in solutions, the keynote speaker said.

An ecological approach to Holy Week

by Daniel P. Horan

Easter is not only about the resurrection of one individual, but it is also about the whole of creation and salvation history, which are inextricably united, writes Fr. Daniel Horan.

Catholic, Christian groups share faith-driven plan for 'climate adaptation' with Congress

by Kate Scanlon, OSV News

Catholic and Christian groups joined together March 20 to discuss a faith-driven approach to solving problems associated with climate change in a panel discussion on Capitol Hill.

What's happening in other climate news:

Biden seeks to accelerate the EV transition in biggest climate move yet —Maxine Joselow for The Washington Post

Can Climate Cafes Help Ease the Anxiety of Planetary Crisis? —Lola Fadulu and Emily Schmall for The New York Times

Losing sleep in extreme heat waves hurts pregnant people, newborns —Sanket Jain for Yale Climate Connections

You can start applying for the American Climate Corps next month —Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder for Grist

Rich cocoa prices hitting shoppers with bitter chocolate costs as Easter approaches —Damian J. Troise for The Associated Press

Final Beat:

As we approach Palm Sunday this weekend on March 24, Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan offers "An ecological approach to Holy Week" in his spirituality column for NCR. Reflecting on the work of German theologian and Jesuit Fr. Karl Rahner, Horan explores how, "because Christ is at the heart of all of creation, we can say that it is not only Easter but all of Holy Week that has significance for more than just humanity alone." Read more here.

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

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