metro
Protect Our Earth
Jewish activists support Pope's stand.
Shari S. Cohen
I Contributing Writer
n June 18, Pope Francis issued
a 184-page encyclical letter
on the "Care of Our Common
Home a far-reaching, detailed assessment
of the Eartlis deteriorating condition that
has worldwide environmental supporters
encouraged.
"The Earth, our home, is beginning to
look more and more like an immense pile of
filth," he said, due mainly to a "throwaway
culture, pollution and excess use of technol-
ogy:'
The pope based his urgent concern
about the physical environment on "Judeo-
Christian biblical texts" (Genesis) stating that
God gave man dominion over the Earth "to
till it and keep it:' as well as a strong belief
that climate change and diminished natural
resources will have the most detrimental
effect on poor people worldwide.
For Jewish individuals and organizations,
local and national, who work to sustain
the environment, the encyclical was strong
support for their efforts to conserve energy,
reduce the use of fossil fuels and safeguard
0
the environment.
The Coalition on the Environment and
Jewish Life (COEJL), based in New York,
and the Reform Action Center (RAC) of
the Union of Reform Congregations in
Pope Francis speaks out about caring for the environment.
Washington, D.C., have advocated for energy
conservation and environmental protection
Green Living Science (GLS), a nonprofit
knowledge. It will have a major impact on
locally and nationally for years, often with
group that works with Detroit students, com- policy because of its impact on politics:'
interfaith coalitions.
munities and employers.
Levin's company, established in 2011, helps
RAC Director Rabbi Jonah
"One large benefit of the pope
businesses and municipalities develop and
Pesner described the pope's mes-
speaking about this is that he is
finance energy conservation improvements
sage as "inspired and inspiring" and
elevating it to a global role, which
for office buildings, factories and other struc-
predicts it will generate more global
is where it needs to be she said.
tures using a statewide Property Assessed
impact for the cause of climate
"Climate change is everyone's prob-
Clean Energy (PACE) district. He was previ-
change. He praised the pope's focus
lem to solve.
ously director of the Michigan Department
on the need for "environmental
"His statements are in line with
of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
justice" to protect vulnerable popu-
the work we do at GLS — education
At the University of Michigan Hillel, Ha
lations. The RAC is working to gain
about our dependence on natural
Yerukim (The Greens) is devoted to the
congressional support for the Green
resources, encouraging new ways to
environment. Davey Rosen, Hillel's associ-
Climate Fund, an international
use energy and promoting sustain-
ate director, says the group meets regularly
effort to help people "who will
able habits:'
to plan events that support environmental
be under water or in the desert"
Andy Levin, managing partner of
sustainability, including a partnership with a
Levin Energy Partners in Bloomfield
because of climate change, Pesner
nearby church for a community garden.
said.
Hills, said the pope is "calling us to
"Our responsibility for the Earth is based
An encyclical is the second high-
our moral obligations as stewards of
on Torah texts. Humanity and the Earth are
est level of papal policy statement.
the environment and natural resourc- interconnected," Rosen said.
Andy L evin
Its message speaks of the "urgent
es. It is a well-considered statement
Pope Francis plans to visit the U.S. in
challenge to protect our common home:'
and takes responsibility that people of faith
September and will be the first pope to speak
Rachel Klegon is executive director of
must understand and implement scientific
to Congress. ❑
s a
the annual summer
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16 July 9 • 2015
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