Who Will Protect God's Creation?

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, July 6, 2025

“In 2022, Congress signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), an ambitious bill that made historic investments in clean energy and jobs, air and water that has made clean energy more affordable and accessible to middle- and lower-income families and created more than 400,000 jobs. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supported the environmental provisions of the IRA and has opposed the elimination of more than $500 billion in environmental programs in H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that passed the House of Representatives [in May 2025 by one vote].” (SSJ Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, 6/19/25)

“Federal policy shapes both climate and health outcomes. Many of … the recent Executive Orders (EOs) threaten to accelerate climate change, disrupt international agreements, and deepen health disparities, especially among the most vulnerable … and their communities….

Beyond EOs, … additional steps that threaten our climate health include:

☼ A proposed 55% budget cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), slashing enforcement of environmental protections.

☼ Major cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), undermining research, public health surveillance, and preparedness for extreme weather events.

☼ A proposal to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), risking recovery capacity after extreme weather.

☼ Creation of a National Energy Dominance Council focused solely on boosting fossil fuels production.

☼ Scrubbing of climate data from federal websites, limiting public access to vital information….

This is a critical moment. Many of the recent executive orders and policy changes are still in the early stages and can be challenged…. Science-based, equitable climate policy is our only path forward. The time to act is now.” (Roger Hicks, MD, MedPage Today, 6/17/25)

“As the Senate engages in the budget reconciliation process, please urge your Senators to oppose cuts to climate and environmental justice investments that help families, communities, Catholic dioceses, and businesses to adopt and afford clean energy and energy efficiency and create climate resilient and healthy communities.” (SSJ Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, 6/19/25) 

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