In the past decade or so, the public’s awareness on environmental issues has significantly increased. More and more people are now conscious about what is happening to our surroundings, and how it will affect us and the future generations.
This heightened awareness is also the reason why more people are willing to participate in events for the environment like talks, seminars, and tree planting drives, among others. For those who are not capable of attending these kinds of events, they simply join Pope Francis in praying for the environment, and doing their share in having a more eco-friendly lifestyle. (Read: Lush Spring Prize 2021 Shortlists Masungi Georeserve For Environmental Efforts)
And now that the Season of Creation is fast approaching, people are getting ready to once again raise awareness about the environment’s decades-long plight. But how do we go about the celebration during the quarantine? Here are some ways.
Celebrate Season of Creation: Allot a time for prayers
The Season of Creation is “a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together.” It is when members of Christian Churches, including the Catholic Church, thank the Lord for all his creations, and say a prayer for its protection. For this year, you can set a specific time each day to do this by yourself, or with family, and just recite a prayer of gratitude for everything around us.
You can use this prayer for the Earth, written by Pope Francis himself, for this.
Celebrate Season of Creation: Participate in environmental campaigns
Every so often, we would find a signature campaign or petition on social media. These campaigns either push for a certain environmental legislation to be signed into law, or for a environment-threatening project to be halted, among others. So if you find an environmental campaign that you are passionate about and advocate for (or against, depending on its ecological impacts), spare a few minutes to sign it and share it with your friends and family. (Read: South Cotabato Diocese Launches Signature Campaign Against Open-Pit Mining)
“This is the right thing to do and to ensure that the future generations inherit a better society enjoying the fruits of a sound environment,” said the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato regarding their petition against an open-pit mine in their province.
Celebrate Season of Creation: Spread the word about environmental issues
The best way to protect the environment is for people to work together and collectively address the issues it faces. Take for example the problem with pollution, if many remember to properly dispose of their garbage, less garbage will be found in rivers and oceans.
“Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a ‘culture of care,’ and ‘an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature,” Pope Francis said in his Laudato si. (Read: Here’s why Vincent Van Gogh always painted people and the environment)
Celebrate Season of Creation: Organize a cleanup drive
Every small deed counts. Together with your friends and family, why not show love for the environment by organizing a clean up drive in your village? “We need to ensure that the environment is cleaner, purer and that it is conserved. We must care for nature so that nature may care for us,” Pope Francis stated during the Climate Change Summit of World Leaders in April this year.
It will not only make surrounding cleaner, but you’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that you helped the environment just by cleaning in and around the house. You’ll also be surprised to see that others will follow your footsteps once they see you doing it! (Read: These Fashion Idols Are Saving Earth—One ‘Ukay’ Find at a Time!)
But with the pandemic, minimum health protocols should be properly observed for everyone’s safety. Large gatherings are still not allowed.
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