If you think Earth Day is a silly event or minor annoyance, think again. Even though it is a secular tradition, Earth Day is a reminder to Catholics that our faith was green long before modern-day environmental movements, and our call to action stems from far deeper roots than a general interest in protecting the environment. Catholic concern for the environment begins with creation. God created man and woman "in his own image" and "entrusted all of creation to their responsibility, charging them to care for its harmony and development." Our duty to be stewards of creation doesn’t end when Adam and Eve leave the Garden of Eden. Jesus reminds us of our connection to creation each time he uses natural elements in his ministry; his parables invoke the imagery of nature, he even tames nature. Likewise, the Holy Spirit appears in Scripture through different elements of nature — wind, fire, water, cloud and light. Scripture tells us our relationship with the natural world is an integral part of our relationship with its, and our, Creator. As such, we need to take time to ask ourselves hard questions about how well we are caring for God’s environment. Do we practice good stewardship not only for our own homes and neighborhoods, but in a global context? As people of faith who believe that we are morally obligated to do all we can for the least of our brothers, are we making consumer choices that harm someone else’s environment or use more than our fair share of the world’s resources? Do we drive needlessly, heedless of the global impact of our reliance on, and overuse of, oil and gas? Do we make conscious choices about where our food comes from and how it is farmed and prepared for consumption, how it is packaged and by whom, or do we simply buy whatever is most convenient to us? As children, many of us were told to eat our dinners because there were starving children elsewhere in the world. This confusing statement prompted little more thought from quite a few of us than "please, send it to them." But the sentiment behind the parental lament is a starting point for thinking about Catholic teaching. First, take a look at what is on the plate and be thankful for the abundance. Then, consider whether you have taken more than you need or could possibly eat. Now ask why you should have a plate of abundance (and not just in terms of food) while someone else, due to nothing more than the luck of geography, should have so much less. And, most important, ask what you can do about it. The answers bring us back to my earlier questions about our use of natural resources, our demand for consumer goods, and our commitment to individual comfort versus a global common good. If nothing else, see if you can convince your kids, spouse, roommate, house guest, etc. to turn off the lights when they leave the room, go a week turning off the water when you brush your teeth, spend a couple of minutes asking yourself if you really need the item you are about to purchase, or if there is an alternative, such as going without or using something you already own. Perhaps the easiest starting point for the Catholic committed to following Church teaching about the care of creation is joining in Pope Francis’ prayer intention: "That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources."
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