January 26, 2008, St. Albans. The Holy Eucharist Green World Youth Day Team came together to share dreams and plans for the World Youth Day program in July this year. Bro. Gerard Brady, a Christian Brother patiently accompanied the group in their day of reflection and planning.
Sr. Catherine Tay, a Chaplain of Victoria University generously welcomed the group to her community house. She told everyone to have a good time and help themselves to the food she prepared.
Most of those who came expressed the need to reflect and meditate upon the spiritual impact of the preparations. They also acknowledged the importance of offering a space for young people to take a closer look on the environment during the World Youth Day. With enthusiasm, they promised to do their best to make the stay of the Green World Youth Day participants possible.
The youngest of the groups urged everyone to become more pro-active in inviting parishioners to join the activity or to host young people to their houses.
After the day, everyone left with more work to do. They were quite tired but happy looking forward to what they will do.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Monday, 21 January 2008
Widening of solidarities
January 15-19, 2008 - Sydney, Australia. We were welcomed in the best of circumstance and hospitality by the Karen community based in Australia. In such a big city wherein most of the energies of the friends we knew in Sydney were poured into the World Youth Day preparations this July, the Karens were unaffected. They still look upon those days as moments of receiving young people from all over.
We want to make use of the space and opportunity for training and interaction with other young people... We can do it if we are together and we cooperate in this program... Words that can sum up their will to do a post WYD program with the youth. Most of them were leaders in their own rights while they were yet at home. They also found their own ways of continuing their service to other people through their own organisation.
Some of the new arrivals found it difficult to speak English. It is a struggle to find jobs in this context. However, one can truly feel the cohesion of the group. They found a way to support one another. They come to a new country because it is not possible for them to live in safety in their own place and people...
In four days, we met a mixture of people. People with a big heart to accomodate the other. They are the kind who understands our need to care for the earth and look at the young as partners in development.
We want to make use of the space and opportunity for training and interaction with other young people... We can do it if we are together and we cooperate in this program... Words that can sum up their will to do a post WYD program with the youth. Most of them were leaders in their own rights while they were yet at home. They also found their own ways of continuing their service to other people through their own organisation.
Some of the new arrivals found it difficult to speak English. It is a struggle to find jobs in this context. However, one can truly feel the cohesion of the group. They found a way to support one another. They come to a new country because it is not possible for them to live in safety in their own place and people...
In four days, we met a mixture of people. People with a big heart to accomodate the other. They are the kind who understands our need to care for the earth and look at the young as partners in development.
Scottish eco-congregations flourish
Ekklesia reports that "eco-congregations" are booming in the UK and particularly in Scotland.
In Scotland there are currently 172, with a total of 270 in England.
But given the small population of Scotland, this represents "a huge level of commitment in Scotland", Ekklesia says.
The term ‘eco-congregation’ is awarded to churches that have made a commitment to address environmental issues systemically through worship, programmes, the management of church property, outreach and community action.
In Scotland there are currently 172, with a total of 270 in England.
But given the small population of Scotland, this represents "a huge level of commitment in Scotland", Ekklesia says.
The term ‘eco-congregation’ is awarded to churches that have made a commitment to address environmental issues systemically through worship, programmes, the management of church property, outreach and community action.
More climate change warnings
The warnings continue on the potentially disastrous effects of climate change.
British conservationists warned last week that global warming could be "catastrophic" for European birds by wrecking their habitat.
They warn that three-quarters of Europe's nesting birds are likely to see their ranges shrink by the end of the century.
More seriously, scientists in India fear a probability of 10 to 40 per cent loss in crop production in the country due to the anticipated rise in temperature by 2080-2110.
Plus more concern about melting in Greenland. "We attribute significantly increased Greenland summer warmth and ice melt since 1990 to global warming," researchers write in a recent article in the Journal of Climate.
However, all is not yet lost. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report last year highlights "the importance of lifestyle changes," says Rajendra Pachauri, the panel's head.
Even simple things like eating less meat, using a bike instead of a car for short trips can all help, Pachauri says.
British conservationists warned last week that global warming could be "catastrophic" for European birds by wrecking their habitat.
They warn that three-quarters of Europe's nesting birds are likely to see their ranges shrink by the end of the century.
More seriously, scientists in India fear a probability of 10 to 40 per cent loss in crop production in the country due to the anticipated rise in temperature by 2080-2110.
Plus more concern about melting in Greenland. "We attribute significantly increased Greenland summer warmth and ice melt since 1990 to global warming," researchers write in a recent article in the Journal of Climate.
However, all is not yet lost. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report last year highlights "the importance of lifestyle changes," says Rajendra Pachauri, the panel's head.
Even simple things like eating less meat, using a bike instead of a car for short trips can all help, Pachauri says.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Global oil supply has peaked: General Motors boss
American car maker, General Motors, believes global oil supply has peaked and a switch to electric cars is inevitable, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
"There is no doubt demand for oil is outpacing supply at a rapid pace, and has been for some time now," GM chairman and CEO Wagoner said during the opening of the Detroit motor show.
"As a business necessity and an obligation to society we need to develop alternative sources of propulsion."
He also said ethanol was an "important interim solution" to the world's demand for oil, until battery technology improved to give electric cars the same driving range as petrol-powered cars.
Monday, 14 January 2008
Save the Earth: Kalimantan bishops
Catholic bishops in Indonesia's Kalimantan province on Borneo island have issued a pastoral letter warning that "destruction and damage to the environment has become a big concern because it threatens the continuity of life on earth", UCAN reports.
The bishops' letter, Save Our Earth from Destruction, also warns that "forest fires, excessive mining, conversion of forests into farmland and accumulation of trash in densely populated areas have brought an "increase in water, land and air pollution".
The bishops call on the government and all people to help preserve the environment by stopping illegal logging and by planting trees. They also encourage parents and educators to instill a love for Creation in children from an early age.
"None of us can deal with this serious problem alone," they acknowledge. "Nonetheless we must do what we can because we are part of this earth."
Local Catholics say their parish priests and parish pastoral councils are now discussing what kinds of trees they will plant in their respective areas, UCAN says.
The bishops' letter, Save Our Earth from Destruction, also warns that "forest fires, excessive mining, conversion of forests into farmland and accumulation of trash in densely populated areas have brought an "increase in water, land and air pollution".
The bishops call on the government and all people to help preserve the environment by stopping illegal logging and by planting trees. They also encourage parents and educators to instill a love for Creation in children from an early age.
"None of us can deal with this serious problem alone," they acknowledge. "Nonetheless we must do what we can because we are part of this earth."
Local Catholics say their parish priests and parish pastoral councils are now discussing what kinds of trees they will plant in their respective areas, UCAN says.
Antarctic ice nearly doubles in 10 years
The Times Online is reporting that ice loss in the Antarctic has nearly doubled over the last 10 years.
The paper quotes a new study showing that the Antarctic is losing 80 billion tonnes year MORE than it did 10 years ago and now totals some 196 billion tonnes a year.
The report found that the most extensive ice loss was found to be taking place in west Antarctica, where an estimated 132 billion tonnes disappeared in 2006.
As the articles also notes, these findings challenge earlier research findings which suggested that ice and snow in Antarctica could increase over the next century because of greater snowfall.
Research team member, Professor Jonathan Bamber of the University of Bristol says that the team's observations "show a very substantial and dramatic change in the breadth of the ice sheet.”
“It suggests changes in the climate system could have a rapid influence on the health of the Antarctic ice sheet. This is another observation that confirms the trend in what’s happening around the world. ”
The paper quotes a new study showing that the Antarctic is losing 80 billion tonnes year MORE than it did 10 years ago and now totals some 196 billion tonnes a year.
The report found that the most extensive ice loss was found to be taking place in west Antarctica, where an estimated 132 billion tonnes disappeared in 2006.
As the articles also notes, these findings challenge earlier research findings which suggested that ice and snow in Antarctica could increase over the next century because of greater snowfall.
Research team member, Professor Jonathan Bamber of the University of Bristol says that the team's observations "show a very substantial and dramatic change in the breadth of the ice sheet.”
“It suggests changes in the climate system could have a rapid influence on the health of the Antarctic ice sheet. This is another observation that confirms the trend in what’s happening around the world. ”
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