Green Junction - Environmental Stewardship, How To Do It?

   Pope Leo’s message on the YouTube video “Let’s turn hope into action” begins with “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that He created and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?” (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QxEJovcQsZU) In response, the Laudato Si Movement is asking people who care for creation to share past and present actions or People’s Determined Contributions (PDCs). Instead of waiting for world leaders to initiate change, the organization requests that people, families, and communities elevate hope and action.

                This begins with visiting their webpage: raisinghope.earth/action. While not everyone is in position to transition to renewable energy or to address climate change or other environmental crises in significant ways, each and every person can be a voice for the earth and can make contributions. These include driving less, turning off lights when you leave a room, using less plastic, buying less, getting involved in pro-earth organizations and talking with others regularly about how to better care for the earth and one another.

                My concerns and laboratory research were motivating forces for the nonprofit created with a group of incredible, committed people to address the plastic pollution crisis. The Plastic Reduction Alliance (plasticreductionalliance.org) formed after years of discussions on ways to reach and educate others about the harms of living in a time of overconsumption and disposable goods. It turns out that plastic materials, which are manufactured at almost unbelievable levels (i.e., the Ocean Conservancy estimates that 127 billion plastic bottles are used in the United States each year), are harmful. Plastics and their chemical additive leach into food and drinks, into every earthly habitat and have invaded our bodies. Meanwhile, the industry plans to increase the manufacture of plastics and market these in enticing ways (i.e., the huge blow-up holiday plastic figures in yards).  

                There are many people doing great work to cultivate and care for our earth. Consider being part of the actions to heal our Common Home. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Plastic Reduction Alliance, visit our website or email us at prallianceinc@gmail.com.