How Earth Friendly Are You?

“The Canticle of Brother Sun is a charter of peace, and as such it is a charter of creaturely rights: human, animal, vegetable, and mineral. The most basic meaning of peace is being at home with all creatures, loving all life, reverencing all matter. The Canticle has a message of peace for all nations.…”
—Eric Doyle

Spirituality

Each of the ten statements below is a general statement related to our lifestyle. Try to describe your current choices.
Answers range from:

 1  5  10
Never Sometimes Always

Read the 10 statements below. In the adjacent box, write the number corresponding to your answer. E.g. ‚ 1= Never. When you finish, add the numbers to get a score.

Questions Answers
I believe we have, through our spirituality and charism, a commitment to reconciliation and restoration of harmony. 1. _____________
I believe I have a moral obligation to be responsible for the protection of the environment. 2. _____________
I believe that living simply frees up resources for those in need and frees the human spirit to cultivate relationships with neighbors, the natural world, and the world of the spirit. 3. _____________
I realize I have a need to pray for a deeper awareness of my connectedness with all of creation. 4. _____________
I believe the ecological crisis has assumed such proportions as to be the responsibility of everyone. 5. _____________
I believe that environmental stewardship is a fundamental exercise in solidarity. 6. _____________
I believe in a God-centered and sacramental view of the universe, which grounds human accountability for the fate of Earth. 7. _____________
I believe in a worldview affirming the ethical significance of global interdependence and the common good. 8. _____________
I believe in an option for the poor which gives passion to our quest for an equitable and sustainable world. 9. _____________
I believe my actions effect the entire creative order. 10. _____________
Score of 20 -69? See tips.
Score of 70+? See resources for ongoing learning.

Tips for Living More Lightly

  1. Make conscious efforts to limit amount of clothing, furniture, food purchases, etc., making them more available to others.
  2. Take time to reflect on your personal responsibility to protect the environment.
  3. Examine your use of the resources.
  4. Take time each day to reflect on the free and generous gifts of nature.
  5. Explore ways of getting media coverage for an issue that concerns you.
  6. Use filtered water rather than bottled water in solidarity with those whose water’s source is being diminished by the privatization of water.
  7. Learn about environmental racism, the disproportionate impact of environmental contamination on communities of color.
  8. Learn about agencies in your community, city, or state that have responsibilities for environmental issues and how to contact them with your concerns.
  9. Give 5% of your budget to assist a poor family in your area while becoming more aware of the plight of those who are poor.
  10. Watch the sun rise and set, take a walk, learn the birds in the area, and follow the night sky. Go outside to a quiet place or listen to instrumental music with nature background. Allow yourself to be transported into the heart of creation.

Resources

St. Francis and the Song of Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Eric Doyle, OFM

Franciscans and Creation:  What is our Responsibility? Washington Theological Union, Symposium Papers, 2003, Franciscan Institute Publications

Web of Creation: Ecology Resources to Transform Earth and Society

Project Nature Connect

Practice Gratitude

Sojourners: Faith in Action

The Council of All Beings