By Kim Ae-ran
"The climate is changing; why don't we change?" was the catchphrase of "Youth 4 Climate Action." In the book with this catchphrase as its title, Fr. Stephen Ki-suk Yang, the chairperson of the Ecological Environment Committee of the Diocese of Suwon, shares 14 stories about the environment and suggests various concrete ways to overcome the climate crisis.
In line with the seven-year journey of the Laudato Si' (Praise be to you) Movement, he emphasizes that the only way in the era of the climate crisis is ecological repentance. The Vatican also announced that it will achieve carbon zero and eco-friendly energy independence by 2050.
The seven-year journey of the Laudato Si' Movement is an ongoing action platform to keep our common home safe in Catholic churches. Almost every Catholic community has put forth a seven-year action plan to save the earth.
The action plan consists of seven issues: a response to the cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, ecological economics, frugal lifestyle, eco-education, ecological spirituality and the active participation of the community.
In union with this movement, we, the Daughters of Saint Paul, also made a concrete seven-year action plan to overcome the climate crisis.
For example, to respond to the cry of the earth, eleven key points are suggested. Some of them are to observe the proper temperature standards, to use eco-friendly packaging materials actively, to avoid unnecessary paper printing, to realize the "Together, carbon neutral decisions" movement, to seek a transition to renewable energy facilities, etc.
To reduce carbon emissions, we do not use KakaoTalk, emoticons, email, YouTube, etc., excessively. We are advised to save water; to reflect on what Laudato Si' means; to choose a direct purchase method rather than delivery or couriers when purchasing personal items; to reduce the use of wet tissues, disposable products, and individually packaged products.
To listen to the cry of the poor, we decided to focus on the creation and distribution of popular media on human rights and bioethics; to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and listening to others in the community; to pray for the poor and the marginalized brothers in the local community and practice concrete sharing, etc.
To live more frugally, we are advised to walk a short distance; not to throw away clothes easily and wear them by mending them; to think twice before buying something to reduce consumption; to eat frugally and be grateful for what I have been given, etc.
Toward ecological repentance, the winding road is placed in front of us...
Nature and me
I forgot that I and nature,
the environment and I are one heart and soul
that harmonizes with each other.
I didn't realize that the withering of leaves
and the drying of the roots meant
that my face would turn pale
and my body would lose its balance.
Just as it takes a long time
to recover a damaged body,
considerable effort is required to bring life
to the breath of nature that I neglected.
Just as yesterday's self generates today's self
and tomorrow's self is the fruit of today's self,
yesterday's nature generates today's environment
and tomorrow's nature is the fruit of today's environment.
So, Lord, help me to realize
that I and nature, environment and I are one,
and restore the relationship of cherishing
and caring for each other.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication.
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In line with the seven-year journey of the Laudato Si' (Praise be to you) Movement, he emphasizes that the only way in the era of the climate crisis is ecological repentance. The Vatican also announced that it will achieve carbon zero and eco-friendly energy independence by 2050.
The seven-year journey of the Laudato Si' Movement is an ongoing action platform to keep our common home safe in Catholic churches. Almost every Catholic community has put forth a seven-year action plan to save the earth.
The action plan consists of seven issues: a response to the cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, ecological economics, frugal lifestyle, eco-education, ecological spirituality and the active participation of the community.
In union with this movement, we, the Daughters of Saint Paul, also made a concrete seven-year action plan to overcome the climate crisis.
For example, to respond to the cry of the earth, eleven key points are suggested. Some of them are to observe the proper temperature standards, to use eco-friendly packaging materials actively, to avoid unnecessary paper printing, to realize the "Together, carbon neutral decisions" movement, to seek a transition to renewable energy facilities, etc.
To reduce carbon emissions, we do not use KakaoTalk, emoticons, email, YouTube, etc., excessively. We are advised to save water; to reflect on what Laudato Si' means; to choose a direct purchase method rather than delivery or couriers when purchasing personal items; to reduce the use of wet tissues, disposable products, and individually packaged products.
To listen to the cry of the poor, we decided to focus on the creation and distribution of popular media on human rights and bioethics; to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and listening to others in the community; to pray for the poor and the marginalized brothers in the local community and practice concrete sharing, etc.
To live more frugally, we are advised to walk a short distance; not to throw away clothes easily and wear them by mending them; to think twice before buying something to reduce consumption; to eat frugally and be grateful for what I have been given, etc.
Toward ecological repentance, the winding road is placed in front of us...
Nature and me
I forgot that I and nature,
the environment and I are one heart and soul
that harmonizes with each other.
I didn't realize that the withering of leaves
and the drying of the roots meant
that my face would turn pale
and my body would lose its balance.
Just as it takes a long time
to recover a damaged body,
considerable effort is required to bring life
to the breath of nature that I neglected.
Just as yesterday's self generates today's self
and tomorrow's self is the fruit of today's self,
yesterday's nature generates today's environment
and tomorrow's nature is the fruit of today's environment.
So, Lord, help me to realize
that I and nature, environment and I are one,
and restore the relationship of cherishing
and caring for each other.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication.
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