As we prepare for Laudato Si Week next month, there is some inspiring news to be shared.

Tomorrow Archbishop Arguelles of Lipa (Philippines) will be leading a mobilization of over 10,000 Filipinos to demand the closure of coal power plants across the country and oppose the building of new ones. As the Archbishop announced. "It is time to end the age of coal."

This action in the Philippines is part of Break Free, a 10-day global wave of mass actions targeting the world’s most dangerous fossil fuel projects which are driving the climate crisis. The message: keep coal, oil and gas in the ground and accelerate the just transition to 100% renewable energy.

Are we, Catholics, acting with the urgency and courage that the climate crisis requires?

Pope Francis has told us, “People and their movements are called to cry out, to mobilize, and to demand – peacefully but firmly – the urgent implementation of needed [environmental] policies. I ask you in the name of God to defend Mother Earth!” (Address at World Meeting of Popular Movements, Bolivia)

Laudato Si Week will be happening next month to celebrate the encyclical anniversary and turn it into action to break free from fossil fuels. Have you signed up already?  If you or your community haven’t yet registered to host an event, we invite you to do so here.

You are also invited to join the larger climate movement during Break Free. You can see if there is a major action in your area by clicking here. If there isn’t an event nearby, you can still participate as a digital witness by registering here.

May our sisters and brothers in the Philippines inspire us to organize, promote, and act in these coming days and during Laudato Si Week.

Global Catholic Climate Movement