Do Catholics Understand the Catholic Climate Covenant? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction

The largest US investments for the development and implementation of cleaner energy sources were initiated under the Biden Administration. A significant part of this effort aimed to reduce carbon emissions, slow climate change and promote economic growth in a changing world. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the US government invested $265 billion and created over 330,000 jobs in cleaner energy as of last summer. Investing in America was funded by the IRA and other legislation: The Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act. Importantly, communities with lower than median incomes benefitted the most.

The largest investments for water resources were also implemented under the Biden administration. These included critical projects to update water infrastructure (including rural water), water storage, conservation, dam safety, desalination, water purification and reuse, all necessary to ensure safe water for Americans. Further, the Biden administration supported projects to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems and to improve the health of fisheries and wildlife, which mitigate drought and improve climate resiliency. Former Secretary Deb Haaland explained “Access to clean and reliable water is essential for feeding families and communities, growing crops, sustaining wildlife and the environment, and powering agricultural businesses.”

In stark contrast, the current administration has i) withdrawn from the international Paris Climate Agreement, ii) rescinded EPA auto emissions and Department of Transportation fuel economy standards, iii) attempted to rescind IRA funds, iv) fired the EPA’s inspector general and froze federal funding for community environmental projects, along with too many additional anti-environment and anti-public health actions to list. The attack on and removal of environmental protections threatens the natural world, for which all humanity depends. It is an assault on all living beings.

Consequently, it is now more important to support and participate in projects, programs, and organizations that heal and promote protections for Our Common Home at the local, state, national, and/or international levels. There is something that every person can do. We fully depend on the earth’s health, nature’s gifts of clean air, soil, and water, and more. According to the Catholic Climate Covenant, “We must work to influence our elected officials at all levels to uphold their duty to care for the Earth and its inhabitants, especially the poor and vulnerable.” And, “From reducing waste to supporting renewable energy, every small act contributes to the common good.”

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.