Eco-Justice Team - April 2025

When the EPA was founded under President Nixon, its first administrator, William Ruckelshaus, said the agency had “no obligation to promote agriculture or commerce; only the critical obligation to protect and enhance the environment.” On March 12, the recently appointed EPA administrator said the agency’s mission is to “lower the cost of buying a car, heating a home and running a business.” Nowhere did he mention protecting the environment or public health. While the Eco-Justice team has focused on local and personal ways to improve the environment (or at least to damage it less!), we are aware that part of our name is “justice.” We are well aware of the ways environmental degradation damages the people Jesus called “the least of these,” the people he placed himself among.

Likewise, Elon Musk, on a podcast with Joe Rogan, said that the “fundamental weakness of western civilization is empathy.”  Contrast that with the statement from Pope Francis, just before his illness in March, to American bishops. “What is built on the basis of force and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.” Whatever you may think about the current situation in government and in organized religion, the Gospel remains our guiding star, and the source of our principles. We strive to be faithful to it.

Closer to home, mark your calendars for Sunday, April 27. The Eco-Justice team is joining the Events/Outreach committee in arranging a presence at the Mt. Lebanon Earth Day celebration at Mt. Lebanon Park from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We plan on highlighting some of the things BHCC has done to be good stewards, giving away our remaining tote bags, and having a children’s activity. Please plan on joining us!

Remember to keep sustainability in mind as you do your spring cleaning and planting. We have certainly listed many ideas here, and resources are readily available on-line.