Overview
In April 2012, Saint Anselm College became one of the first colleges to sign the Catholic Climate Covenant. To learn more, see the college's press release.
This action committed the college to the steps outlined in the Catholic Coalition for Climate Change's St. Francis Pledge:
- PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God's Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
- LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
- ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
- ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
- ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.
The Catholic Climate Covenant is designed to get Catholic organizations thinking about how they can respond to environmental issues in light of the Church's teaching on social justice and stewardship of resources. Endorsing the covenant is a natural step as the college continues to pursue initiatives such as campus-wide recycling and energy conservation that promote sustainability.
Activities
On October 3, 2012 (the day prior to St. Francis Day) at 7pm, the Environmental Stewardship Committee co-sponsored a screening and discussion of the documentary film Sun Come Up. This movie depicts the struggles of the residents of Carteret Island (located in the South Pacific) as they relocate to a new home when rising seas threaten the existence of their island.