Caring for God's Creation Resources
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See below for more resources on Caring for God’s Creation, including organizations, books, movies, and even local organizations!
National Catholic Organizations
Catholic Climate Covenant
In 2006, to address growing ecological awareness and the need to implement Catholic social teaching on ecology within the US Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) helped form the Catholic Climate Covenant. Inspired by the USCCB’s 2001 statement on climate change, and supported by 20 national partners (including Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association, congregations of religious men and women, and other national organizations), Catholic Climate Covenant helps US Catholics respond to the Church’s call to care for creation and care for the poor by educating, giving public witness, and offering resources.
Catholic Energies
Catholic Energies provides expertise to design, implement, and finance sustainable projects including turnkey solar and efficiency project development that reduce energy costs, enabling your organization to use those savings in support of your critical ministries.
Saint Kateri Conservation Center
Saint Kateri Conservation Center is a national Catholic non-profit conservation organization and land trust that promotes faith, ecology, and the diversity of life. They inspire Catholics and all people of good will to create and restore healthy habitats for people and wildlife at home and in local communities.
We’re All Part of God’s Plan(et)
We’re All Part of God’s Plan(et) is a national Laudato Si’ awareness and engagement campaign that supports Catholics in the United States—from families to parishes and from universities to religious communities and businesses—in participation in the Vatican’s global Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Books, Films, and Websites
Climate Interactive
Climate Interactive, in partnership with the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, creates and shares tools that help people see connections and drive effective and equitable climate action.
Climate Interactive hosts a team of system dynamics modelers who create user-friendly climate simulators—spanning topics of international policy, cutting-edge climate solutions, energy dynamics, climate justice, food systems, and more. They then amplify the insights from these tools through interactive workshops, role-playing games, and events.
En-ROADS
is a global climate simulator developed by Climate Interactive, the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, and Ventana Systems that allows users to explore the impact of roughly 30 policies—such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices—on hundreds of factors like energy prices, temperature, air quality, and sea level rise.
En-ROADS runs on an ordinary laptop in a fraction of a second, is freely available online, offers an intuitive user-friendly interface, and is available in over a dozen languages.
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis.
The Theological and Ecological Vision of Laudato Si': Everything Is Connected
(T & T Clark, 2017) edited by Vincent J. Miller, provides a comprehensive introduction to the spiritual, moral and practical themes of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Theologians, ethicists, scientists and economists provide accessible overviews of the encyclical’s major teachings, the science it engages, and the policies required to address the climate crisis.
Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown’s mission is to help the world reach “drawdown”—the point in the future when levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline—as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible.
Regional Organizations
Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District and Environmental Enterprises
Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District and Environmental Enterprises have partnered to offer a disposal voucher for Clermont residents looking to dispose of hazardous wastes around their homes. Call (513) 732-7745 for more information.
Arc of Appalachia
Arc of Appalachia acquires, stewards, and protects wildlands in Ohio. They have saved over 9000 acres of land in 27 years of stewardship. Twenty-four preserve regions protect over 1100 species of plants, including 80 rare endangered plants, and provide refuge for tens of thousands of native plants and animal species.
Citizens Climate Lobby
(CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change. They practice a respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education building upon shared values to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations.
CCL has over 420 chapters in the US, including local chapters in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Springfield.
City of Dayton Office of Sustainability
City of Dayton Office of Sustainability tracks a comprehensive strategy of goals, objectives, projects, and actions that move the City of Dayton in a more environmentally sensitive and sustainable direction. The Office assists residents and businesses with water and electricity conservation, solar energy, recycling, and other aspects of a sustainable lifestyle.
City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability
City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability (OES) has a mission to lead Cincinnati City Government and the larger community toward sustainability and the practice of good environmental stewardship, building a sustainable, equitable, resilient future for Cincinnati.
Co-Op Cincinnati
Co-op Cincinnati nurtures a resilient, interconnected network of worker-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati with the goal of an economy that works for all.
EarthConnection
EarthConnection is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth. Aware of the interconnectedness of all creation, they seek to integrate spirituality and sustainability through programs in sustainable agriculture, alternative energies, eco-justice, and eco-spirituality.
Faith Communities Go Green (FCGG)
FCGG is a new collaboration between Green Umbrella and EquaSion, a leading interfaith organization in our region. FCGG supports regional faith communities in their efforts to be more environmentally sustainable and helps every interested congregation to form green teams. The three working groups, Advocacy, Education/Lifestyles, and Facilities, work within FCGG to partner with religious communities to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Faith organizations, when united in one moral responsibility, can address the unprecedented environmental challenges facing us.
Glenmary Home Missioners
Glenmary Home Missioners is a Catholic society of priests, brothers, and lay missioners who serve primarily in Appalachia and the Deep South. Volunteer opportunities and mission trips are available.
Greater Dayton Partners for the Environment
(GDPE) is an alliance of organizations that share the common goal of protecting, restoring, preserving, and promoting the environmental and agricultural resources of the Great Miami River and Little Miami River Watersheds. Their seven focus areas are Networking, Supporting Local Growers, Food Access and Distribution, Food Research in the Foodshed, Food Waste, Food Policy and Economics, and Education on Food.
Green Umbrella
Green Umbrella serves as the regional sustainability alliance of Greater Cincinnati, with hundreds of member organizations and individuals passionate about enhancing the environmental health and vitality of our region. We lead collaboration, incubate ideas, and catalyze solutions that create a resilient, sustainable region for all.
Hanley Sustainability Institute
Hanley Sustainability Institute at the University of Dayton is a leader in sustainability education. UD students, staff, and faculty take a collaborative approach within the larger community, preparing students to meet the growing demand for sustainability skills in the workplace.
The Little Miami Watershed Network
The Little Miami Watershed Network is a citizens’ watershed action group working to preserve and protect the Little Miami River.
Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC)
Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC)
is an environmental education community in the Catholic tradition at Mount Saint John in Dayton, OH. In Mary’s hope-filled spirit, they preserve and act in communion with the land and educate other communities in ecology-based simple living, social justice, and spirituality. MEEC cares for 100 acres of natural area at Mount Saint John, including the Marianist Nature Preserve of nature trails winding through woodlands, fen, restored prairie and pond, and a native plant labyrinth. Over 300 species are cultivated by staff and volunteers in their native plant nursery and they host a public sale each spring. MEEC provides volunteer and program opportunities in citizen science, native plant propagation and education, guided hikes, and retreats. They engage with the Marianist Family branches (laity, brothers and sisters), communities, institutions, and organizations in responding to Laudato Si’ through the Marianist Family Encounter Project: https://marianistencounters.org, Links to specific MEEC offerings for worship communities can be found at: https://meec.center/files/FaithfulLandStewardship.pdf.
The 2023 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit
is hosted by Green Umbrella. Now in its 10th year, the Summit will take place on Friday, May 12, at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and will feature a keynote by renowned climate strategist and best-selling author Dr. Katharine Wilkinson alongside 60+ speakers, an art show, and more!
Mission of Mary Cooperative
is investing in the inner east side of Dayton by transforming vacant land plots into vegetable gardens and partnering with our neighbors to sustainably develop our community. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares and online store purchases available.
Power A Clean Future Ohio
is a diverse nonpartisan coalition that engages cities and local governments to develop and implement proven climate solutions. Ohio’s economy, health and future depend on a new approach to clean energy and climate change.
