Burning Questions

Sacred forests and groves are primeval woodlands that different faith communities around the world have safeguarded for centuries as abodes of the spiritual or the divine.

Countries are the primary focus at the climate COPs, but they're far from the only participants. Since the 1992 Earth Summit, people of faith have been regular participants. 

One of the key points being debated at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt is loss and damage from the impacts of climate change. The latest EarthBeat "Burning Question" explores what it is, what you should know and what the Catholic Church has said about it.

Burning Question: Beyond the birdbaths and the blessing of pets on his Oct. 4 feast day, Francis of Assisi is also known as the patron saint of ecology. What does that mean? Who made that decision? And why?

Burning Question: The Season of Creation is a monthlong prayerful observance that calls the planet's 2.2 billion Christians to pray and care for God's creation. It is becoming more prominent, and Catholic involvement is growing. It's not just about prayer, though.

Burning Question: Democrats have a policy plan to get the U.S. to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that plan say about environmental justice?

Burning Question: The world is at a reckoning moment on race, and the climate movement is no exception. Where can I learn more about environmental racism?

Burning Question: The Amazon synod raised "ecological sin" within the church. But what does it even mean?

Burning Question: What does the experience of the pandemic suggest about changes the world could make to address climate change?

Burning Question: How can I get involved in virtual climate activism? EarthBeat provides an overview of how major organizations are adapting to coronavirus and where you can look to get involved.

Burning Question: How does coronavirus connect to climate change?

Burning Question: What and where do I start to help save our planet?

Burning Question: What is the relationship between the military and environmental damage?

Burning Question: Poor air quality from an oil well. Contaminated drinking water from a chemical plant. Low-income housing located in a floodplain. These are all examples of environmental injustice.

Burning Questions: Here comes the sun. EarthBeat tracked down the resources your parish needs to understand the process of going solar.

Burning Questions: What are parishes doing to eliminate their use of single-use plastics and reduce waste? 

Burning Questions: Real trees are greener, so if you skip the artificial and now pine over how best to recycle this year's spruce, this question is fir you.

Burning Questions: Our reader asked what exactly the Paris Agreement requires of individual countries, and is anyone keeping track?