Caritas resources on climate – videos, stories, reports, prayers

Niger-Ryan-4World leaders, scientists, civil society and activists will gather in Paris between 30th November – 11th December for the 21st UN climate summit (COP21).

Find here some Caritas resources on climate:


Watch Caritas films on climate change

Create a climate of Change
What will tip the climate balance? Watch Development and Peace’s clever 45 second clip on how to “Create a Climate of Change” (Eng)

A lesson in climate resilience in Mongolia
Dzud: a Mongolian term for a severe winter in which large number of livestock die, primarily due to starvation due to being unable to graze, in other cases directly from the cold. See how Caritas Mongolia and Secours Catholique help people adapt (in French): Watch the video.

Beating hunger with climate smart agriculture
Climate smart agriculture and ensuring the right to food are key to ensuring people have enough to eat. Watch a film by Caritas Malawi

Climate change explained to children
CAFOD (Caritas England and Wales) offers a simple video explanation of global warming aimed at children.

Caritas at the United Nations
Caritas Internationalis secretary general, Michel Roy, talks about Caritas’s climate commitment at the UN.

The Pope’s call for mobilisation
Pope Francis has called on everyone to protect Mother Earth and to act against interests which are “global but not universal” and which continue to destroy creation.

Stories, reports and statements

Read stories on climate change from Caritas’ website.

Oceania is a region suffering from rising sea levels, ocean acidification and increasing severe storms. Read Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s State of the Environment Report.

Appeal by bishops to COP21 negotiating parties.

What climate change means for feeding the planet – a reflection paper a reflection paper by Caritas Internationalis.

Catholic bishops statement in Lima on the road to Paris (from COP20).

Faith leaders say a changing climate hurts the poor more.

Spirituality: how can our faith inspire us to change?

Laudato Si’ encyclical on climate change
In June 2015 Pope Francis wrote a letter to invite everyone to participate in a conversation about to see how “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” Read Laudato Si’.

Caring for Creation
Cardinal Peter Turkson talks about the Biblical roots of caring for creation.

Want to do something to help?

Personal change – For any change to be far-reaching and long-lasting it needs to start with us. “A change in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social power.”

Sign – Hundreds of thousands of people have signed the Catholic Climate Petition calling on world leaders to cut carbon emissions and halt temperature increases.

March with Caritas – Dozens of countries around the world will march to urge leaders to take climate actions ahead of COP21. Click here to see if Caritas is marching in your country and how to join them.

Send – Caritas member organisations are invited to use this letter to send to their Members of Parliament and COP21 representatives. Download: Spanish, English, French.

Prayers
Canticle of the Sun – Prayer for climate justice
A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation
Prayer of Stewardship (PDF)

Facts and myths

Find out why COP21 is important and why Caritas will be there here. Read FAQs.
Why does the work of a lot of Caritas organisations focus on climate change? Read.
Is it possible that global warming is part of the world’s evolution? Read some common myths around climate change here.

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Pray

Caritas brought together a collection of prayers and reflections for you to use.

Volunteer


Volunteers make a crucial contribution. Find out how you can be one.