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​The human race needs to live in the green space in the ‘donut’, above the social floor or ‘foundation’, but within environmental limits or ‘ceiling’ 
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[The author invites your opinion on this post.  Contact him at [email protected] ]
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"A change in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social power. This is what consumer movements accomplish by boycotting certain products. They prove successful in changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of production. When social pressure affects their earnings, businesses clearly have to find ways to produce differently. This shows us the great need for a sense of social responsibility on the part of consumers. “Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act”.[146] Today, in a word, “the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle”.[147] (Laudato Si' 206)
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An international grassroots effort beginning to develop and grow is called the Glasgow Agreement.  The Agreement believes that genuine "people power" will create the political and economic will to make the changes needed to save the planet and her people. The climate justice movement "cannot be stopped by the global narrative of institutional impotence."  

The framework for this movement is defined as a "social and political demand that advocates for the redistribution of power, knowledge and wellbeing. It proposes a new notion of prosperity within natural limits and just resource distribution, advocating for a true connection between traditional and westernized knowledge systems. It calls for a public and participatory science to address the needs of humanity and of the earth, principally to stop the climate crisis."  

Question: How can we heal our integral ecology as individuals or small groups in the face of international inaction and corporate resistance? 

Actions: 

• Read the Glasgow Agreement: People’s Climate Commitment
• Watch the four minute introduction video : https://vimeo.com/471802683

​Paul Bodenham is the Chair of Green Christian, a UK Passionist Partner, and here reflects on the charity’s work and mission.

Over the last year we have seen a succession of dire scientific reports on the environment.  Surely now no-one can now doubt the crisis we’re in.  With climate change approaching tipping-point, dwindling wildlife, and rising tides of plastic waste, this is a hard time to hope.

Joe talks with Kyle Kramer about his spiritual journey, which has led him deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, into the pain and violence of inner city Louisville where he and his wife Anne make their home, and in all of this, into the heart of our beautiful, wounded world.

Joe Grant is a native of Scotland and is a modern-day mystic, a blogger, and the author of numerous books and articles about scripture, justice and spirituality. Prior to moving to Louisville 25 years ago, Joe worked with indigenous peoples of the U.S. and in Latin America. His work has been rooted in the Catholic Christian tradition, but his sensibilities are deeply interdenominational and interfaith. Joe spends his time writing, leading retreats, and offering spiritual guidance. His latest book, Scratchings: Poems and More is available here.  An earlier book, Wandering and Welcome: Meditations for Finding Peace is published by Franciscan Media. His website is https://engagedpresence.org/.  
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Listen to Joe Grant - The Duty of Delight  February 27, 2020

The Passionist Earth & Spirit Podcasts explores the intertwining of contemplative spirituality, ecology and social healing through dialogue with people who are rooted in a deep sense of place. Our conversation partners defy neat labels as they weave their vocations, activism and spirituality into unique stories of what it’s like to live an engaged life in whatever community they call home. By grounding the spiritual in particular places, people, and projects, we hope to transcend the abstract and faceless to uncover tangible and translatable insights that listeners can apply in their own communities.   Listen on NPR Podcasts.

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Fr. Joachim Rego, general superior of the Passionist congregation sent out Christmas letter to the Passionist family. His entire message is about the "Pact of the Catacombs for the Common Home." This is perhaps one of the most relevant and inspiring documents the church has produced in many years. The bishops were inspired by the style of another Catacombs Pact (The Pact for a Servant and Poor Church) signed before the Second Vatican Council in 1965.
 
Here's how Fr. Joachim describes the context: "Recently I attended the Union of Superiors General conference held here in Rome which was attended by almost 150 leaders of male religious orders and congregations. We also had the opportunity to meet and dialogue with Pope Francis. At the end of the final Mass of the conference, the leaders were invited to sign the Pact of the Catacombs for the Common Home For a Church with an Amazonian face, poor and servant, prophetic and Samaritan. This was a Pact signed on 20 October 2019 in the Roman Catacombs of Santa Domitilla by 40 Bishops attending the Amazon Synod about how they wanted to lead their particular churches in the Amazon region."
 
 Fr Joachim's full statement is available here   |   Pacto en Español

Foto: Ghuillerme Cavalli

Following up Fr. Joachim's statement - Calls to Action 
http://mailchi.mp/7948c8f1b995/december2019newsletter​