24 Jun Pope Francis’ Message on the Environment: How You Can Get Involved

Some are calling it the latest summer blockbuster – Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment. Widely popular, his message has gone viral with the help of a 17 word tweet, “the earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.”

Pope Francis calls on us to pray, act and advocate for our climate. He calls all to action – from our leaders engaged in international summits to every individual, engaged in simple daily gestures. He lays out the argument for a new partnership between science and religion to combat human-driven climate change.

A Rabbinic Letter signed by 320 Rabbis of all persuasions have called on us to do our part by making life-giving choices,  and moving our lifestyle away from fossil fuels.

In Central Texas, many organizations have been hard at work addressing the climate change crisis. The Faith and Energy Action Team (FEAT) is a group of action-oriented individuals, inspired by faith,  to create a carbon positive world. Started in 2012, as part of the Interfaith Environmental Network, FEAT’s participants include over 200 individuals and several religious organizations, representing Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim communities.

FEAT members’ efforts have already resulted in the reduction of over 3 million pounds of carbon emissions in Austin alone. These achievements have included:

• The publication of a scientifically acclaimed manual for congregations – Becoming Carbon Positive.  

• An effective advocacy effort pushing for environmentally-friendly public policy in Austin.  Recently, these efforts have included promoting the Austin Community Climate Plan and encouraging city council to approve it, building on council’s earlier resolution to become a carbon neutral community by 2050.

In preparation for the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris, FEAT is supporting Interfaith Power and Light in encouraging all congregations and individuals to take the Paris Pledge. Individuals and congregations that take the pledge are essentially promising to reduce their own carbon footprints, setting an example for world leaders as they negotiate global emission reductions.

What can you do individually and/or with a congregation? We welcome you to join our efforts – whether it’s taking the Paris Pledge or becoming an active member of FEAT. Learn more!

Questions about the Faith and Energy Action Team: feat.outreach@gmail.com

Sign up for the Individual Pledge and then send an email to feat.outreach@gmail.com

Sign up for the Congregational Pledge

If you want to know more about the Faith and Energy Action Team, you can email me, Patty at patty.stephens@climatebuddies.org. or call me at 512-627- 2206.