1. Tell us about the work you’ve done around faith and environmental justice.
I have worked in a few different capacities to advocate for stronger, more just environmental legislation and community action – from a national carbon fee and dividend system to more local issues like increased green infrastructure and funding for programs to help connect low-income communities to green spaces. I see all of this kind of work as inherently connected to my faith, but there’s often not a space to more publicly make that connection. I am able to do that, however, through my work as a program coordinator for the Laudato Si Advocates (a program administered by the Environmental Justice Program of the USCCB in association with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment). The program supports college-aged individuals to advocate for federal legislation that promotes integral ecology and confronts the environmental crisis in a way that prioritizes the most vulnerable. Through this program, I’ve been able to participate in the formation of Christian young adults in the values of Laudato Si and help translate those values into concrete, political advocacy and action.
2. How do you hope to integrate environmental justice into your time at CSTM?
I hope that I will be able to bring my passion for environmental justice into not only each class that I am a part of, but also into the student life and culture here at the CSTM. I am open to what exactly that will look like—I first have to get to know the people here and discover how much energy there is for this issue and where it might best be directed. For starters, as a shameless plug,I will be helping to facilitate a small group going through a creation care curriculum, called ”Wholemakers,” focused on spirituality and ecology. If anyone is interested, please let me know or email me at glennka@bc.edu.
3. What inspires you the most about Pope Francis’ Laudato Si?
I think what inspires me the most about Laudato Si is frankly that it exists, and that the leader of our Church is willing to speak up about these issues and call us to action. It calls out the economic and political systems, cultures, technologies, and ways of life that we, especially in the West, have become so accustomed to, and makes us reconcile with the fact that we have been participants in structures that are deeply harmful to both the Earth and the most vulnerable. At the same time, it helps guide us toward practical, actionable solutions and encourages us to not lose hope. Every time I read it, I feel proud to belong to the Church and grateful to have a resource I can pull from and point to when talking to other Christians about these issues.”
4. What’s a piece of advice you have for someone looking for a way to focus more on sustainability in their daily life?
Just be aware! Move a little bit slower and think through what you are doing (and eating, and throwing away, and buying, etc.) and how it might impact the earth. Also, when and where you can, try to learn more about what is happening to the earth and how your actions, or those of companies, politicians, or institutions that you support, might be contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.
5) What is a hope of yours as we enter this Season of Creation?
I hope that more and more people will be able to connect their faith to environmental justice, and recognize the deep connection between the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.