New Videos from the JPIC Office

The Religious Sector of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform presented a seminar on September 12, Integral Ecology in Religious Life and Mission, on deepening the commitment to Laudato Si’, the Laudato Si’ Goals, and how to develop action plans related to integral ecology. On September 18, The JPIC Office hosted a seminar on “Integral Ecology Facing Extractive Economies – Communities Affected by Mining in Latin America”. Members of religious and faith-based organizations discussed examples of a Samaritan economy and the mining divestment campaign. The seminars are available on our YouTube Channel here. We hope you enjoy these fascinating and helpful presentations!

JPIC Webinar: 24 April 2024 - CLIMATE CHANGE: A PUSH FACTOR FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

There seems to be a correlation between climate change, consumerism and human trafficking. The victims of climate change, having lost their livelihoods, are the number one target of traffickers. Long-term changes in the planet’s climatic system render vulnerable local communities already threatened by a consumeristic society that rides on the principle of supply and demand. Unchecked constant human gratification and marathons for cheap goods and services favor trafficking in persons. Throughout Mother Earth’s history, the climate has continuously changed. If climate change existed from time immemorial, why does it matter today? The present reflection intends to briefly explore the following points: defining concepts, the principle of supply and demand, threats of a consumeristic culture, rituals for wealth and power, International Law and human trafficking, and the Church response.

Links to support materials: Presentation 1, Presentation 2, Presentation text

Congo Basin Peatlands Under Threat

Currently, the Congo Basin Peatlands are under threat by governmental decisions to allow prospecting for oil and gas in this ecologically vulnerable region. Additionally, there are plans to mine the area for peat, which can be dried and burnt for fuel. The Congo peatlands are the largest old-growth rainforests on Earth. They are a vitally important area of biodiversity, hosting many unique species which are endangered and threatened by extinction. The peatlands are also a vast reservoir for water, carbon, and nitrogen.

Disruption of these systems will harm other dependent ecosystems, change weather patterns, and harm the lives and livelihoods of people in the area. This fragile ecosystem is very old and cannot easily repair itself. Prospecting the region for oil and gas will cause great damage. Mining peat from the Basin will destroy incredibly old and beautiful forests and wetlands to produce fuel with a high carbon footprint.

The JPIC Office has produced a webinar which presents information about the Congo Basin Peatlands from perspectives of scientists, activists, and religious. Following the See, Judge, and Act methodology, useful information will be followed by messages of hope and prayer. The video is an opportunity to learn about the Congo Basin Peatlands and their importance, to share the knowledge of people working to address this issue, and to decide what is yours to do.

For further information: Congo Basin peatlands and climate threatened by oil extraction.