EarthBeat Weekly: How climate change threatens healthy pregnancies

How climate change threatens healthy pregnancies Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change June 7, 2024 Many words have been shared claiming climate change is a pro-life issue. It's a stance that is supported by Catholic social teaching, and the argument usually contains general statements about how we're called to care for God's creation, most especially the poor and the vulnerable — who are at greater risk of climate change-induced suffering and death. In short, climate change threatens lives, and therefore it is a pro-life issue. What I think is less often discussed (perhaps because there hasn't always been data on it) is the very specific and direct ways in which climate change affects what many people consider the primary pro-life issue — the successful conception, pregnancy and birth of healthy babies by healthy mothers. A new series, produced through a newsroom collaboration between Grist, Vox and The 19th, explores how several facets of climate change are affecting reproductive lives around the world. While the four stories in the series focus on sea level rise and fresh water salination, vector borne diseases like malaria, extreme heat, and rapidly intensifying storms in specific areas, they also show how the population affected by such climate impacts is expected to grow. We've republished the series "Expecting worse: Giving birth on a planet in crisis" with permission on EarthBeat this week because even though these stories do not contain explicit religious perspectives, they expertly report on the intersection of two life issues that are important to people of faith. Read the full series: Salt in the womb: How rising seas erode reproductive health Pregnant in a warming climate: A lethal 'double risk' for malaria Four lost pregnancies. Five weeks of IVF injections. One storm. 'How did we miss this for so long?': The link between extreme heat and preterm birth     What else is new on EarthBeat:   Amazon synod inspired church to listen more broadly, cardinals say by Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service The emphasis on listening, dialogue and discernment central to the Synod of Bishops on synodality originated from the periphery of the universal Catholic Church — in the Amazon — and its fruits are now challenging the church worldwide to adopt a spirit of communal participation and decision-making in the church, said the cardinal in charge of the synod.   Vietnam's religions mark 'Laudato Si' ' anniversary with discussions on environmental care by Joachim Pham Religions can make contributions to environmental care by inspiring their members to recognize their common responsibility for the Earth and take action to conserve and maintain natural resources for future generations, said one speaker.   Kenyan bishop urges young Catholics to work 'collaboratively' to protect, care for environment by Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News A Kenyan bishop urged young Catholics to act together to care for the environment and protect it, as he led the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa in marking its 10th birthday.   Wildlife crossings connect practical ecology needs, Catholic creation care by Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News The largest wildlife crossing in the world — the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing — has just begun construction in Agoura Hills, California, some 30 miles west of Los Angeles.   In Hawaii, Maui council opposes US Space Force plan to build new telescopes on Haleakala volcano by Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press The Maui County Council voted 9-0 to pass a resolution opposing the project. The measure said Haleakala's summit was a sacred place used for religious ceremony, prayer and connecting to ancestors.   Pope: Church must understand financial systems, not just criticize them by Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service For Catholic social teaching to become a "compass" for financial structures and policy, he said, "it is necessary not to stop at exhortations but to be able to look at the workings of finance, to expose its weaknesses and imagine concrete corrections."   A contemplative pause can be a radical act by Christina Leaño The first step in contemplation is to pause. By pausing, we make space to connect with God in the moment.      What's happening in other climate news: Can Mexico's Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, shake Lopez Obrador's oil legacy? —Cassandra Garrison for Reuters Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change —Lisa Rathke for The Associated Press Pennsylvania's Fracking Wastewater Contains a 'Shocking' Amount of the Critical Clean Energy Mineral Lithium —Kiley Bense for Inside Climate News NYC had a plan to make it hard for cars to enter the city. Here's why the governor blocked it. —Nicolás Rivero and Oliver Staley for the Washington Post Seattle University, one of top 10 most sustainable US colleges and universities —EcoJesuit   Final Beat: This week's final beat comes from Global Sisters Report's June 3 Monday Starter, reported by Chris Herlinger and Dan Stockman: "The Congregation of St. Joseph is building on its commitment to the principles of Laudato Si' with a multi-year, $1 million grant to Laudato Si' Movement. A press release announcing the grant says it 'moves an ongoing partnership between the congregation and the Laudato Si' Movement to a deeper level and builds on a history of collaboration around a shared purpose.' Pope Francis issued the encyclical on care for our common home in 2015, and congregations of women religious across the United States have embraced its principles and committed to its tenets. The Congregation of St. Joseph notes that its mission, to bring 'all into unity with God, with one another, and with all creation,' fits perfectly with the ideas of Laudato Si'. 'As the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss affect more and more people across the United States and around the world, Catholics find themselves at a turning point,' the announcement says. 'This is the critical moment to honor our Creator and care for each other by protecting Earth, our common home.'" Thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr     Featured Advertisers       Advertisement