EarthBeat Weekly: A U.S. diocese's gift to Pope Francis on his name day

A U.S. diocese's gift to Pope Francis on his name day Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change April 26, 2024   Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, announces a net-zero initiative, pledging to reach net-zero emissions across its 59 parishes as well as schools and other institutions in the next six years. With him at a press conference April 23 are Adam Edelen (right), founder and CEO of Edelen Renewables, and Joshua Van Cleef (left), director of the diocese's peace and justice office. (Courtesy of Diocese of Lexington) Bishop John Stowe announced on Tuesday that the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, was committing to achieving net-zero emissions across its 59 parishes, as well as schools and other institutions, by the year 2030 — one of the boldest climate actions to date from a U.S. Catholic diocese. "Today, April 23, is the day after Earth Day, but it's also the Feast of St. George. That may not sound like it's anything important, except that Pope Francis' name was Jorge, or George, before he became pope. And so, it's a holiday at the Vatican. So this is our gift to Pope Francis on his name's day," said the Lexington bishop. "We're grateful to say we're gonna do this, and reduce our carbon consumption, our carbon footprint, and bring ourselves to net-zero, in a pretty short amount of time, because we only have a pretty short amount of time to make an impact in a lasting way on this world," he added. Indeed, the net-zero 2030 target by the Lexington Diocese is a full 20 years sooner than when Francis has pledged for the Vatican City-State to reach net-zero emissions itself in 2050. What exactly does "net-zero emissions" mean? NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe explains in his report: "Net-zero emissions refers to the elimination of carbon emissions an organization produces, and counterbalancing hard-to-eliminate emissions through removal of carbon from the atmosphere." And why is it important to eliminate carbon emissions? Roewe's report continues, "Carbon emissions are primarily released from burning fossil fuels, and they trap heat in the atmosphere, which is the main driver of global warming." Adam Edelen, CEO and founder of Lexington-based Edelen Renewables and the primary adviser on the Lexington Diocese's net-zero task force, called the initiative "audacious" and "extraordinary," saying, "It really communicates to the rest of the world that if we can do this in coal country, you should be able to do it wherever you are." Read more: Lexington Diocese, in heart of coal country, commits to net-zero emissions     What else is new on EarthBeat: Saving the Earth requires new images of God, says feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson by Heidi Schlumpf In a new book of meditations on God and the Earth, feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson explores an image of God as lover of creation.   In the Philippines, Catholic priests tackle plastic waste brick by brick by Brian Roewe The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart build bricks from discarded plastic bottles. It's one way communities across the world are addressing the problem of plastic pollution.   Ave Maria professor: Earth Day needs Catholics' full engagement and hopeful vision by Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News Catholics can contribute a unique perspective to Earth Day by viewing it as an opportunity to fulfill their role as stewards of creation.   In Vietnam province, sisters teach how to adapt to climate change by Joachim Pham In disaster-prone provinces of Vietnam, sisters help locals adjust to climate change through sustainable techniques and financial support, allowing them to adapt and stay on their land.    Brazil's bishops alarmed over growing number of land disputes under Lula's government by Eduardo Campos Lima, OSV News Conflicts over land, water or forest territories grew in Brazil in 2023, reaching 2,203 cases and impacting more than 950,000 people, according to the Land Pastoral Commission.   How clean water and faith go hand in hand by Susan Barnett, Religion News Service Water purifies and blesses in every religion. But it is more than a symbol: Clean water is a conduit of care and love.     Animal cruelty officer-turned-animal chaplain Matty Giuliano loves ferrets and St. Francis by Kathryn Post, Religion News Service 'I know there are plenty of people out there who believe animals have no souls,’ said Giuliano. ‘And I cannot accept one of God’s creation is, spiritually, the equivalent of a cup of ice cream.'   With the red heifer ceremony, God purifies the people through the earth by Damian Costello Part 1: The red heifer has been in the news, with rumors that the ancient ceremony from Scripture will be revived. This sacrifice works to restore wholeness to the community.   Black Elk, White Buffalo Woman and the mystery of the red heifer ceremony by Damian Costello Part 2: The red heifer ceremony flows out of our deepest human spiritual instincts. Rituals that combine land, power and wholeness, where mystery is greater than clarity.   What's happening in other climate news: On the agenda this Earth Day: A global treaty to end plastic pollution —Joseph Winters for Grist Can Biden's new jobs program to fight climate change attract women and people of color? —Jessica Kutz for The 19th* Strict new EPA rules would force coal-fired power plants to capture emissions or shut down —Matthew Daly for The Associated Press On Earth Day, Biden Spotlights Climate Investments to Contrast With Republicans —Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Brad Plumer for The New York Times WATCH: Paris Olympics hope to earn the gold medal in 'green' by cutting emissions in half —Chase Cain for NBC Los Angeles Earth Day: Pope Francis urges responsibility for our common home —Lisa Zengarini for Vatican News Earth Day 2024: It's time for the Catholic Church to give up fossil fuels for good —Daniel R. DiLeo for America   Final Beat: At the Religion News Association awards over the weekend, NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe won third place for magazine/nondaily newspaper religion reporting. Of Roewe's reporting for EarthBeat, the judges said: "This sweeping portfolio of stories follows the Catholic Church's continuing call to action on climate change. As NCR's environmental correspondent, Brian Roewe takes us to school on how to cover a beat. This entry includes stories on the recent United Nations global climate summit, the politics behind the fight over using a company's faith-influenced environmental record to judge its investment appeal, and Honduras' problematic 'Dry Corridor,' now a migration catalyst for citizens fleeing the agriculturally ravaged land." Congratulations to Brian, and to the other GSR and NCR staff who were honored at this year's RNA awards. Read more here. Thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr     Featured Advertisers   Explore spirituality and social justice at Xavier University. Graduate theology degrees and certificates. Online options. Tuition discounts available.   Advertisement