What influence can the Holy See have in climate negotiations?

Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change

July 5, 2024

The opening day of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 30, 2023. (OSV/Reuters/Amr Alfiky)

Due to the Independence Day holiday (July 4) in the United States this week, I'm sending an abbreviated version of the EarthBeat Weekly newsletter. In place of a message from me, please enjoy this Fourth of July Prayer from the Catholic Climate Covenant:

Loving Creator, on this Fourth of July, we give thanks for the beauty and bounty of our land, a precious gift from You. Help us to cherish and protect this Earth, our common home.
Grant us the wisdom to be good stewards of Your creation, caring for the air, water, and soil that sustain life. Inspire us to work for justice and peace, ensuring that all may share in the fruits of the Earth.
Bless our efforts to live sustainably and harmoniously with nature, reflecting Your love and glory in all we do. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

The UN Loss and Damage Fund is a preferential option for the poor

by Leonard Chiti

The food crisis in Zambia and elsewhere has been exacerbated by climate change and a broken global food system. The ancient and sacred wisdom of the church can help build a vision of a better world.

The Holy See could be a bridge for UN climate negotiations

by John Leo Algo

"The Holy See may have one of the smallest delegations," writes John Leo Algo, "but it has the potential to make the biggest long-term impact in future climate negotiations, given its unique context."

At the Holy See and in households, fossil fuels are a climate change scapegoat

by Griffin Thompson

The prophetic insights that we channel into climate scapegoating the fossil fuel industry are better placed speaking to a new vision of what could be. Let us Catholics shine a light on a more positive path.

Episcopal presiding bishop-elect plans simpler installation, citing 'carbon footprint'

by Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service

"With gratitude to all involved, I have decided to begin this ministry in a new way," Bishop Sean Rowe said in his announcement. "With a simple service at the Church Center that will include everyone via livestream, we can care for God's creation by reducing our collective carbon footprint."

What's happening in other climate news:

Here's What the Court's Chevron Ruling Could Mean in Everyday Terms —Coral Davenport, Christina Jewett, Alan Rappeport, Margot Sanger-Katz, Noam Scheiber and Noah Weiland for The New York Times

Biden proposes new rule to protect 36 million workers from extreme heat —Suman Naishadham for the Associated Press

As Climate Change Dries Out the West, Fourth of July Fireworks Spark Increased Wildfire Risk —Kiley Price for Inside Climate News

Under increasing pressure to migrate, more women are dying at the US-Mexico border —Jessica Kutz for The 19th

Hurricane Beryl makes landfall, fueled by record-breaking ocean heat —Jake Bittle for Grist

Final Beat:

Bishops, theologians and lay leaders gathered at the University of San Diego in February for "The Way Forward," an annual ecclesial gathering to foster honest dialogue within the Catholic Church and to promote the path set out by the Second Vatican Council and Pope Francis. This year's meeting focused on implementing Francis's landmark encyclical, "Laudato Si', On Care for our Common Home."

A video highlighting conversations from this gathering can now be viewed on YouTube. Watch it here.

And you can revisit NCR Vatican correspondent Christopher White's reporting on the event from February here.

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

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