Friends,
Here are this week’s articles on the state of our world, nature, and concerns for God’s beautiful creation.
First, the good news.
Catholics and Evangelical Christians have several doctrinal differences, but together they stand with our immigrant populations, caring for and supporting them. We find this approach responsible and well thought out. Please read the complete declaration about the God who cares for the sojourner and those who are the least among us.
May the Lord make us such a people for such a time as this - who welcome as we have been welcomed and love as we have first been loved.
You can read it here, or download a copy below:
Trump ending restrictions on climate-warming methane.
Methane is dangerous because it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, warming the planet. When too much methane is released, it accelerates climate change, which can lead to hotter temperatures, stronger storms, droughts, and other extreme weather. Methane also contributes to air pollution that can harm people, plants, and animals.
The Polar Vortex May Be Splitting
Okay, this one takes some explaining (at least it did for me):
Meteorologists are watching a rare polar vortex disruption expected in early November. It would be the earliest Sudden Stratospheric Warming event on record, happening at least three weeks ahead of the previous record. As high-altitude winds shift and split the vortex into two parts, Arctic weather patterns may change much earlier than usual. Combined with an unusually strong El Niño in the Pacific, this disruption could affect major wind patterns and bring earlier cooling and changing weather to parts of Europe, Canada, and the eastern United States. Forecasts also suggest stronger cold spells later in the winter.
Read more about this vortex split.
One reason some areas may experience colder spells is that warming can change large-scale weather patterns. The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world, reducing the temperature difference between the Arctic and areas farther south. Some scientists say this may weaken the polar jet stream and make it wavier, allowing cold Arctic air to move farther south into regions that are usually milder.
A Desperate Effect of Climate Change on Poor Families
Imagine your region has been struck by drought for many years, leaving you unable to feed your family. You are on the brink of starvation. What do you do? To survive, your options are few.
Ending with hope.
When it comes to God’s creation and our care for it, the three articles above are not easy for any of us to digest. First and foremost, we can pray as we seek something, anything, we can do to make a difference for planet Earth.
“What I Want to Bring Out Is That A Pebble Cast Into A Pond Causes Ripples That Spread In All Directions. Each of Our Thoughts, Words, and deeds is like that.”
Dorothy Day
Prayerfully,
