The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph recently released a statement opposing the Trump administration’s affordable Clean Energy Rule.

In his Encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis, reminds us of our biblical call to live in right relationship and to cooperate with God’s design for our world. We ask you to join us in opposing this rule that threatens the health and safety of our neighbors and our planet home. We urge all Americans to take the opportunity to register their concerns during the required comment period for the Affordable Clean Energy rule.  To register your concerns with the EPA, click here. 

Read Laudato Si’ and contemplate how our personal lifestyles impact our carbon emissions. Consider where you are being challenged and where you can make changes to decrease your carbon emissions. There are some simple ways to start:

• It’s in the bag! Reduce your use of plastics, such as grocery bags, straws and plastic water bottles. Worldwide, we consume approximately 100 million tons of plastic each year, emitting up to 500 million tons of carbon dioxide.
• Clean your plate! Americans waste up to 35% of the food on their plates. Food waste accounts for 6.7% of all global greenhouse gases.
• Step lightly! Take your carbon footprint with the carbon footprint calculator to identify other areas you can change to make an impact.
• It sounds overwhelming but if we each do ONE THING, it will make a difference. Once you have made ONE CHANGE, then work to make another change. Please feel free to comment on initiatives you have adopted in your daily life. Your idea may be something someone else can do. Email them to socialjustice@ssjerie.org. They will then be posted on our website so we can work together to make our world a better place.

Click to read the statement.