Ecojesuit and others supporting urgent climate action

The Global Climate Strike is a strategic and opportune time to encourage local and global leaders to embark in greater efforts to address the climate emergency. Millions around the world will engage in climate action at the same time as leaders and representatives of communities, civil society, governments, and businesses convene for the UN General Assembly on 17-30 September, which includes events the Youth Climate Summit, 21 September, the Climate Action Summit, 23 September, and the SDG Summit, 24-25 September. Regional Climate Weeks were also held in preparation: Africa Climate Week in Accra, Ghana,18-22 March, Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week in Salvador, Brazil, 19-23 August, Asia-Pacific Climate Week in Bangkok, Thailand, 2-6 September.

The Latin American Conference of Provincials issued a statement of support with the invitation to all jesuits, partners and jesuit works in Latin America to join the Global Climate Strike. The original statement can be read here.

Ecojesuit and partners are engaging in several dimensions. First, we continue to engage in climate strike activities through our education institutes. Institutes that joined previous climate strikes include St Aloysius College in Australia, Gonzaga College and Belvedere College in Ireland, Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Spain, and Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center in the Philippines. We encourage schools, universities, and all places of learning to hold dialogues, discussions, and other educational activities that support the strike. Action need not always begin on the streets; it can be in the classroom and at home.

Join Ecojesuit and partners in a week of climate action
and sign the petition at visibles.org

Second, through media channels and networks, we are sharing news and materials on the climate emergency and the different actions our institutes and partners are undertaking. This is being done by Ecojesuit, Ignatian Solidarity Network, Global Catholic Climate Movement, and many more. We invite others to join, together we can communicate a message of hope.

Third, we are collaborating with others in solidarity for the youth and future generations. For example, a Jesuit /Ignatian delegation participated in the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York in July, where they reviewed the progress on the SDGs with partners and discussed possible action points. This included SDG 13 on Climate Action. In October, together with the Church, we will hear from Indigenous Peoples around the world in theSynod for the Pan-Amazon Region. This is of primary importance as they are the ones who watch over the tropical rainforests and waters in the Amazon, Congo Basin, Asia-Pacific, and other areas that protect us from the worsening impact of climate change. In December, we will continue to engage in the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP), where Jesuits have been involved since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

We welcome more people and institutions to join us in implementing processes of change for our climate and Common Home. The Universal Apostolic Preferences identifies joint actions as essential, and we would deeply appreciate learning about how others are engaging and discerning how we can work together. Those interested may support this statement and inform us of their climate strike activity/ies by visiting this link. “May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.” (Laudato Si’ 244)

Download the statement here.