Architecture and Laudato Si' lessons combine in new Catholic U course

Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change

March 14, 2025

Catholic University students Jacelyn Andrawes and Olivia DiMattio review blueprints of the pastoral center of the Newark Archdiocese during a site visit in October 2024 to conduct an energy audit as part of an architectural course at Catholic University of America. (Patricia Andrasik)

When the New York City skyline blazed orange with Canadian wildfire smoke in June 2023, many people in the largest U.S. city (and across the country) became familiar with the Air Quality Index. Along with checking weather forecasts for anticipated temperatures and precipitation, knowing if the air outside would be breathable for people with various levels of vulnerability became a necessary factor in one's daily plans.

On extremely hot summer days in the Midwest suburb where I live, this has increasingly affected whether I'm able to take my young children outside to play, but for the most part, I'm lucky that air quality doesn't have to be a daily consideration for my family's health (at least not yet).

I was recently reminded of how prevalent the threat of unclear air is for certain communities when listening to the first episode of FUMED, a new investigative podcast from Public Health Watch that tells a story of community members in East Harris County, Texas, where one of many threats from the petrochemical industry is the pollution caused by local chemical plants and oil refineries. I was again reminded of the seriousness of the air quality issue when this week I saw reports of a new study that says the majority of the world's population breathes dirty air.

During that summer of hazardous, hazy skies across parts of the United States that don't usually have to worry about such things, an award-winning NCR editorial stated that air quality is a justice issue Catholics should care about all the time, not just when it affects us personally. But in the face of what can feel like an insurmountable issue of global significance, what can we do that will actually have an impact?

I think the best solutions often come through creativity and collaboration. And that's just what we see in NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe's report this week about architecture students at The Catholic University of America, who in partnership with Creighton University and the Catholic Climate Covenant, have advised the Archdiocese of Newark on how to more sustainably use energy, and by extension lower their greenhouse gas emissions and lessen their carbon footprint.

The new course on net zero design combines energy ethics, technical skills and hands-on learning for a project from which students, their real-world clients (in this case, the church) and the environment can benefit.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

Ukraine's fight against Russian fossil fuels is everyone's battle

by Svitlana Romanko

Commentary: The same MAGA diplomacy that loudly lectures Ukraine about peace simultaneously works to dismantle climate action and maintain a brutal addiction to fossil fuel.

'Yes to life, no to mining': Sisters in El Salvador join church's protest

by Rhina Guidos

Sisters are participating in the church's campaign: "Yes to life, no to mining," calling for the restoration of a law against metal mining in El Salvador.

Resumed UN nature summit provides faith groups pathway to log conservation progress

by Brian Roewe

The U.N. biodiversity summit, COP16, officially ended Feb. 28 in Rome, four months after the biannual talks began in Cali, Colombia. Nations reached deals on mobilizing funds and monitoring conservation commitments.

No, Elon, we should not go to Mars

by Thomas Reese, Religion News Service

It makes more sense to spend money saving the Earth from climate change, ecological destruction and international conflicts than it does going to Mars.

Q&A with Sr. Ajita Mathew Vettikuzhakunnel, champion of women farmers in India

by Thomas Scaria

Missionary Sister of the Queen of Apostles Ajita Mathew Vettikuzhakunnela started a farming company in September 2023, owned and governed by rural women in northern India.

NCR recipes for Lent: Vegan Irish lentil Guinness stew

by James V. Grimaldi

NCR executive editor James V. Grimaldi came up with a Guinness lentil stew made with the famous Irish stout. He thinks that seems right for the weekend. And if you're in the D.C. area, he has a March 15 party invite for you.

What's happening in other climate news:

E.P.A. targets dozens of environmental rules as it reframes its purpose –Lisa Friedman and Hiroko Tabuchi for The New York Times

U.S. energy secretary pledges to reverse focus on climate change —Brad Plumer for The New York Times

Trump oil tariffs threaten vulnerable Republicans —Garrett Downs for E&E News

Justice Dept. says ending Louisiana petrochemical case helps 'dismantle radical DEI programs' —Matthew Daly and Michael Phillis for the Associated Press

Federal judge blocks Trump administration's funding freeze for climate work. Will the White House comply? —Wyatt Myskow for Inside Climate News

US withdraws from UN climate damage fund —Jordyn Dahl for Politico

How job cuts at NOAA could impact weather forecasting —Julia Jacobo and Kelly Livingston for ABC News

Final Beat:

For a "green" St. Patrick's Day celebration, learn more about the life and legacy of a man deeply connected to the land. Check out these essays from the EarthBeat archives:

Thanks for reading EarthBeat.

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