A Healthy Environment is a Human Right

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

 All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, August 10, 2025

Last month, “the International Court of Justice  — the top court established by the United Nations known also as ‘the world court’ — delivered an advisory opinion saying that nations have an obligation under international law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change, while also affirming a healthy environment is a human right.” (Stephanie Clary, Environment Editor, National Catholic Reporter, 7/25/25)

Yet, on July 29^th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced “a proposal to rescind the landmark legal opinion that underpins virtually all its regulations to curb climate change. The move would end EPA regulations on greenhouse gases emitted by cars, while also undercutting rules that limit power plant emissions and control the release of methane by oil and gas companies.” (Jake Spring and Anusha Mathur (Washington Post), The Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/30/25)

“In 2009, the EPA determined that greenhouse gases are air pollutants that endanger public health and welfare by driving climate change. As such, gases like carbon dioxide and methane are subject to regulation under the Cle

an Air Act.

This determination — rooted in scientific consensus [97% of scientists agree on the scientific reality of climate change] and affirmed by the Supreme Court — is known as the endangerment finding. It is the foundation of several Clean Air Act protections that limit climate pollution from such sources as power plants, cars and trucks, and fossil fuel drilling operations.” (Alison Cagle, Earthjustice, 7/29/25)

“These safeguards keep pollution out of our air and water, fight climate change, and protect precious ecosystems. If this decision stands, it will cause thousands of Americans to die each year, as extreme heat, wildfires, storms, and more will only worsen.” Will you demand the EPA do its job to protect our environment? (Patrick Drupp, Director of Climate Policy & Advocacy, Sierra Club, 7/30/25)

Eliminating such environmental safeguards, “clashes with Catholic Social Teaching (CST) by undermining key principles like care for creation, solidarity, the preferential option for the poor, and sustainable development.” “At its core, CST is based on the belief that every human person is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity, which should be respected and upheld in all social and economic systems. The principles of CST emphasize both the rights of individuals and the collective responsibility to care for one another, the environment, and future generations.”

“Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ stresses that environmental degradation and climate change disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities, making the Church’s stance clear on the need for environmental justice. The rollback of environmental protections, the prioritization of fossil fuels, and the failure to address climate change directly conflict with these deeply held Catholic values.” (Executive orders and directives vs. Catholic Social Teaching: How they stack up, Catholic Climate Covenant, 3/12/25)

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.