September 10. FAMILIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE. (From Families and Climate Change) The UN International Year of the Family 30th anniversary in 2024 chose Families and Climate as its focus theme with 2 main areas: 1. The impact on families.  2. The response of families.   

IMPACT. There is little positive to be said about the impact of climate change and both the direct and indirect impact on families is largely negative. Extreme weather, cold to heat, floods to drought, result in loss of life, damage and destruction of homes and livelihoods, displacement and the break-up of family units. The impact is not only on humans but on all ecosystems and all families of creation.  

THE ROLE OF FAMILIES IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACTION. Humans’ lifestyle has a profound and mostly negative impact on the planet’s health.   Use of power for lighting, cooking, heating, cooling, modes and frequency of travel, what we eat, what we use from clothing to plastics and electronics all contribute to greenhouse gas emission i.e. higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere which then contribute to changes in the climate. Materialist attitudes, fed by advertising, contribute to consumerist behaviour, encourage people to buy more than they need, resulting in waste. Every family member in every way contributes in greater or lesser degrees. Diets, eating habits, sports and entertainment industries matter. A carbon footprint measure demonstrates how the more wealthy, who use more power, contribute many times more to this harmful situation. Awareness of the impact can motivate for changes in behaviour to mitigate some of the negative impacts.

THE NEED FOR RESPONSIBLE ACTION BY EVERYONE. In the current situation drastic action is needed. Larger responsible role players are government, civil society organisations, including churches, the private and business sectors. Power and food producers, even our leisure activities can be addressed to limit harmful effects on our lifestyle.  A mindset change is the greatest factor and can improve productivity, limit use of water and power, and of course Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.  Every role player, in any situation, home, work, school, leisure is a family member, and so change at home can be a valuable place to start.

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Love your enemies, and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return., and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High. For he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. “Be merciful even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6: 27-38.  Pope Francis: If we can overcome individualism we can truly bring about change. LS208. in the family we receive an integral education which enables us to grow harmoniously in personal maturity. LS 213   Eco-tip: Act and pray for the motivation to provide families with tools and desire to develop family spirituality and form strong positive foundations and habits so that civic awareness and activism can increase. 

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.