Social Justice Tag: Earth

By Bailey Woodward, Justice intern 

The food we consume has effects not only on our health but also on the environment. While some common ingredients may seem harmless, they may actually be tied to unsustainable practices that damage ecosystems, contribute to climate change and speed up the loss of biodiversity. Let’s take a look at some common ingredients and their environmental impacts.  

It is important to approach sustainability with mindfulness rather than expecting people to completely abstain from any product that has an environmental impact; that would be incredibly difficult to do long-term. The goal is not to eliminate all of these ingredients from our diets but to make more sustainable choices whenever possible.  

Palm Oil 

Palm oil is used in a lot of products: processed food, cosmetics and even cleaning products. Its large demand has led to large-scale deforestation, most significantly impacting Southeast Asia. This has destroyed the natural habitats the orangutans, tigers and elephants. The deforestation has also significantly contributed to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  

Beef 

Beef production is driving rampant deforestation. The livestock industry has begun to take over areas, like the Amazon Rainforest, to make room for grazing land. Beef production also consumes a significant amount of water (15,000-20,000 liters per kilogram). It creates greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and causes land degradation. This makes beef one of the least sustainable foods you can eat. 

Avocados 

Avocados have led to massive deforestation in Mexico, affecting ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, avocado farming requires a substantial amount of water (2,000-2,500 liters per kilogram) in a region that is already facing water scarcity issues and droughts. Avocado farms also contribute to land degradation. 

Almonds 

Growing almonds requires a very large amount of water (about 4,000 liters per kilogram). This is problematic as almonds are commonly grown in California, an area prone to droughts.  

Rice 

Rice farming also requires a lot of water (2,500-5,000 liters per kilogram) and often causes the emission of methane, a greenhouse gas. Rice fields are commonly fertilized with chemicals that can contribute to pollution when they run off into nearby ecosystems. 

Sugar 

Sugar is found in many processed foods, and the demand is wreaking havoc on the environment. Sugarcane farming leads to massive deforestation, especially in Brazil. Sugarcane also requires 1,500-3000 liters of water per kilogram and often uses harmful pesticides that pollute the environment.  

 Seafood 

The seafood industry is a major threat to marine ecosystems. Overfishing depletes marine populations and threatens the survival of fish species. Destructive fishing practices can damage ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs.   

Eating more sustainably 

While the impacts of these ingredients are alarming, there are steps we can take to eat more sustainably.” 

• Opt for more plant-based protein sources instead of beef. Proteins like beans and lentils are not only healthier for your body but they’re better for the environment. 

• If you consume dairy, beef, and other meat products, try searching for options from regenerative farms. Regenerative farming practices help restore soil health and capture carbon emissions. 

• Switch up the oils you use. Instead of palm oil, try olive oil or coconut oil. They are better for your heath, too. 

• Instead of rice, choose quinoa and other grains that require much less water. Quinoa only needs 500-1,000 liters of water per kilogram while rice requires 2,500-5,000 liters of water per kilogram. 

• While shopping for food, look for certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance or Organic. These certifications indicate that the product was produced sustainably, minimizing harm to the environment, wildlife and workers. 

• Consider growing some of your own fruits and vegetables. This will give you more control over how the food is produced, making it better for the environment and more cost-effective for you. 

• Choose seafood with MSC or ASC certifications on the packaging. These indicate sustainable fishing practices. 

• Avoid eating fish that are vulnerable to overfishing, such as bluefin tuna and some types of cod.  

• Check out the Monterey Aquarium Seafood Guide, a consumer’s guide to the most sustainable seafood options.  

• Reduce waste whenever possible. Food waste that ends up in landfills contributes to methane emissions. Plan your meals carefully to use leftovers, and compost food scraps.  

By Jason Giovannettone, Climate and Sustainability Director 

Canned water is often recommended to minimize the consumption of single-use plastic products.  A quick introduction of potential alternatives to bottled water can be found in the following video: 

Aluminum is great because it is not made from fossil fuels and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. Plastic relies heavily on fossil fuels and can only be recycled a limited number of times. Glass requires large amounts of materials and energy during production, and due to its higher weight, it causes more emissions during transportation. Recycling glass also requires more energy than recycling aluminum and plastic. 

The recycling rate of aluminum is higher than for plastic bottles (43% vs. 20%, respectively), with nearly 97% of recycled aluminum becoming new cans.  Though some plastic bottles are recycled into new bottles, most end up in other types of products (e.g., polyester in clothing) as lower-quality plastic. The conversion of recycled aluminum into a new can requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce a new can, which is much less than plastic and glass. 

Additionally, aluminum scrap is more valuable at $1,388 per ton; recycled plastic is $215 per ton and glass is $23 Therefore, by recycling aluminum you are essentially subsidizing the recycling of other materials. 

One major concern with aluminum cans is that they require an inner liner to prevent metal corrosion and food contamination. These liners commonly contained bisphenol A (BPA), which is a hazardous chemical that can lead to multiple types of health issues. Luckily, many companies now sell drinks in cans containing a BPA-free liner. 

Helpful Hint 

If you need to purchase packaged water, consider purchasing a brand that comes in a BPA-free aluminum can composed of a high percentage of recycled material (i.e., post-consumer waste).  Examples include Open Water (75%; Climate Neutral certified), Blue Can (45-70%), RAIN (up to 100%), and Proud Source (75%).  

Sources: The Aluminum Association; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

By Marianne Comfort, member of the Mercy Justice Team

From the time we started dating, my now-husband, Ted, has had one firm rule: Remove your shoes upon entering the house. It turns out that his health concerns are aligned with science. 

Medical experts have determined that our footwear regularly brings bacteria, lead, hazardous chemicals and allergens into our homes. A University of Arizona study showed that there are more than 421,000 bacteria on the soles of our shoes, including strains that can cause diarrhea, meningitis and pneumonia. And a visual inspection doesn’t catch much of it. 

Just imagine the germs from indoor public spaces, pesticides from perfect looking lawns and industrial salts from winter roads and parking lots. They’re all dirtying your floors and carpets, polluting your indoor air and sometimes getting in the mouths of crawling babies. 

An internist at the Cleveland Clinic compared wearing your shoes in the house to not washing your hands; they’re both examples of poor hygiene practices. 

We have found that most guests are very accommodating to our request. Regular visitors know to bring slippers or heavy socks. Some have foot issues requiring them to wear shoes inside and, of course, we grant exemptions for those cases. 

Ted owns a pair of indoor shoes, with medically necessary orthotics, that he never wears outside. And he carries them with him when we’re visiting others. 

Sister Mary-Paula Cancienne & Jason Giovannettone

Taking time to become as informed as possible about concerns related to sustainability, especially those that affect our lifestyle, is a wise practice; many actions that initially appear to have a positive effect on the planet may cause harm and/or have harmful social implications.  

For example, installing solar panels on your roof is great for the planet because solar is one of the cleanest sources of energy available. But we also know that many companies source the panel materials from countries or regions of the world that are considered conflict zones where unfair labor practices are common, and/or where the  local communities are negatively impacted by the extraction of raw materials.  

As a second example, electric vehicles (EVs) may seem like a great way to reduce our carbon footprint, but the extent to which that is true depends on where you live and how much of your electricity is sourced from fossil fuels. Many of the metals used to create EV batteries  are sourced from regions where child labor is rampant, where there is deforestation due to mining, or where groundwater quality and quantity are depleted to a level that cannot sustain human or animal life.  

Purchasing toothbrushes or utensils made from bamboo may sound like a more environmental-friendly option when compared to plastic, but they may be causing significant harm to critical habitats if the bamboo is not certified to have been grown and harvested in a sustainable manner (certified by the FSC or Forest Stewardship Council).  

There are always trade-offs, but some are wiser than others; Information and awareness are important. As you consider sustainability in your life, ask the following questions: 

What are the practices that shape my own formation around love and care of Earth? What do we need to form ourselves into people who have sincere concern for the environment, who are willing to take informed actions to conserve Earth’s environment, and who have the passion to spread a message in a way that is not confrontational and not righteous, but whose attitude and practices lean more toward invitations to address problems as equal members of a community. Not necessarily easy, risk and sacrifice are always possibilities. 

Consider implementing these sustainable practices: 

• Purchase a bamboo toothbrush. 
• Purchase a native plant (maybe wait for the spring for this one). 
• Try a shampoo bar. 
• Select “no” each time you are asked whether you would like a receipt at the gas pump. 
• Identify the trees and plants growing in your yard using an app such as “Picture This.” 
• Remove the vines from one of your trees. (This really helped me realize what a negative impact invasive vines have on tree growth.) 
• Use laundry and/or dishwasher tablets. 
• Refrain from using straws with your drinks when dining out. 
• Purchase “pasture raised” or “free range” organic eggs that come in a cardboard carton.
• Brain-storm with friends for other ideas and investigate their pros and cons. 
• With a friend or as a family/group, choose an idea to enact and be mutually supportive. 

By Bailey Woodward, Justice intern 

As the holidays approach, you may already be planning your family celebrations. Traditions look different from home to home, but one unifying factor seems to be a shared meal. Gathering around the table with your loved ones and breaking bread fosters an atmosphere of love and community.    

This year, as we celebrate togetherness, we can also embrace the idea of sustainability in our holiday meals. A great place to start is with the source of your ingredients. You may consider shopping from local businesses or farmers’ markets over large-chain grocery stores. By doing this, not only are you supporting small local businesses, but you are also reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting food long distances. If your meal typically includes meat, you may also consider purchasing from a local farm that practices humane and sustainable farming.    

Another way to have a more sustainable holiday dinner is to reduce your food waste. Be creative about using leftovers and food scraps. In my own home, we use leftover turkey to make a turkey-noodle soup. By using up all of your leftovers, you are reducing waste and saving yourself money too.    

These mindful choices can help us celebrate the holidays in a way that honors Christ, our loved ones and the planet, making our holiday celebrations even more meaningful. Happy holidays! 

By Jason Giovannettone, Climate and Sustainability Director 

One common sustainability concern that I hear (and often think about personally) is whether there are options for purchasing sustainable candy (in terms of both ingredients and packaging) or other packaged snacks to hand out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Much of the packaging of candy and other snacks is not recyclable, which adds to plastic waste. Passing out unpackaged candy will likely result in it being thrown away immediately by caring parents, adding to food waste.   

Why are most candy and snack wrappers and bags unrecyclable? Such packaging is often made of a mix of individually recyclable materials such as plastic, tin, aluminum, and others.  The problem is that when you mix these together, they are extremely time-consuming and expensive to separate, and, as such, considered non-recyclable.  Therefore, when tempted to recycle your empty chip bag with other recyclable bags, it should go in the trash; otherwise, it may contaminate the other bags and cause everything to end up in the landfill. 

There are a few more sustainable options available when purchasing treats for Halloween.  Look for candies packaged in cardboard boxes or wrapped in aluminum foil such as Junior Mints, Milk Duds and Nerds.  Many types of chocolate are individually wrapped in foil.  When ordering any type of candy online, try to verify whether it is shipped in a box or some type of plastic packaging.  There are many options for foil-wrapped candy, especially Halloween chocolates, available online through the Natural Candy Store website. Some of the chocolates sold through the website (e.g., chocolates made by Thompson) are also listed as being Fair Trade Certified, which means that they were made in a way that supports the livelihoods of the producers, their communities and the surrounding environment. 

If you much prefer treats that are packaged in difficult-to-recycle mixed packaging, some of the packaging can be recycled through Terracycle; you just need to print a free shipping label, collect the items in a box and mail them in.  A full list of companies with packaging that can be recycled can be found here.   

Green Tip 

During the next few weeks, try substituting one candy or snack that you typically purchase with one that is either unpackaged or comes in packaging other than plastic.  For an extra challenge, look for snacks that are Fair Trade Certified and/or come in cardboard or paper packaging that is FSC-certified (i.e., certified by the Forest Stewardship Council that the trees or other plants used to make the packaging were sustainably grown and harvested). 

Purpose

For this year’s contest we are seeking short, PSA style videos (30 to 90 seconds) that are suitable for sharing on social media platforms such as TikTok or Reels. Video entries must focus on one of these topics:

Who Can Enter

Any student or group of students, high school age or older, enrolled in Mercy high schools, colleges/universities, or involved in a Mercy-affiliated ministry.

Use this tip-sheet to help you as you begin the process of creating your video.

Format

Read the complete rules

Length: 30 to 90 seconds

Language: English or Spanish

Other Requirements

1. Title. Each video must have a title. The title must be indicated on the submission form. The title does not need to be included in the video itself.

2. Credits. Credits must include the name of those involved in the creation of the video. The credits must also include citations for any images, audio, or text used in the video that is not original. The credits do not need to be included in the video itself, but must be included in the submission form.

The Sisters of Mercy may delete title and credit screens before posting videos on social media.

Entrants are strongly encouraged to use original footage and graphics as much as possible.

Important Note on Rules: In order to honor copyright protections, rules regarding use of images and music were updated for the 2022 contest and remain in effect for 2025. See the complete rules for details.

Deadline

All entries must be received by April 1, 2025.

Prizes

A panel of judges will use these criteria to select the winning video. Individual winners will receive financial awards. The Grand Prize Winner receives $500.

Winning entries may be featured on the Sisters of Mercy Institute web site and social media channels. Winners and their winning institution will be formally announced.

Interested?

If you think you might be interested in entering this contest, fill out this form to receive contest information and updates.

Past Winners

Click here to view all of our past winners.

By Sister Joan Margret Schwager 

Things I have done to care for the Earth: 

I have created a compost bin for scraps and use the composted materials in my garden. 

I grew a garden each year with vegetables that lessen my dependence on getting things from the store. 

I have two water barrels; one to catch rainwater so that I have “natural” water for indoor plants and garden and the other gets filled with water from the dehumidifier and air conditioning. 

I bake my own bread. I also make my own jam and jelly.  

I cook from “scratch” whenever possible so I’m not buying “packaged” items. 

I buy in bulk: beans, lentils etc. I also make my own black bean and lentil burgers. 

I freeze produce from the garden for the winter. 

I like to make use of rummage sales and garage sales instead of buying things that are new. 

I use ceiling fans to lessen reliance on air conditioning and heating. 

I also sew blankets from scraps, even old T-shirts. 

Lastly, I remind our schools to not use Styrofoam. 

I hope this list gives you ideas for how you can also care for the Earth.  

Preparation for Session 6

Prior to the session, participants should read Deep Transformation from the Self-Study Guide, paying particular attention to the definition of transformation and to the cases of transformative action. Access the suggested opening prayer, or select another prayer.

Outline for Session 6

Welcome and Prayer

After a welcome and any initial business, lead the opening prayer. The suggested prayer has space for personal reflection. Invite participants to share their reflections with the group.

Discussion

Remind participants of where we are in the process. We have listened deeply to the impacts of extractivism on people, communities and Earth. We have examined extractivism through various theological lenses, through analysis of systems that help the extractive development model to thrive, and through intersections with other contemporary issues. We are now looking at how this process has transformed us and is leading us into action.

Share this excerpt from the Self-Study Guide to ground your group’s conversation:

Transformation is not focused on a “one-time event of clarity and action” but a tug to always dig deeper.

Invite participants into a few moments of silent reflection to consider these questions:

• What learning or insight in the process so far most stays with you?
• How is that calling you to shift your perceptions? 
• How does it feel to move toward deep transformation and action?

Invite participants to briefly share their insights.

Next, invite participants into a few minutes of silent reflection on the case studies. Pose these questions for their consideration:

• Which example and category of action spoke to you most? Why?
• How does it influence your thoughts on what an appropriate individual, communal and corporate response would be?

Invite participants to share, and then invite the group to consider any commonalities among the individual responses. Where does this conversation seem to be leading the group?

Moving Into Action

Now that you have completed this journey of Deep Listening, Deep Reflecting and Deep Transformation, the next steps are up to individual participants and the group. Individually or collectively, they can tap into their deeper understanding and sense of where they feel called and look for opportunities to take action in solidarity with people, communities and Earth.

Learning about, reflecting on and discussing extractivism was important. Deciding to take action, the next step on this journey, is equally important. Failure to take action, to make a change, leaves the process incomplete.

This guide does not prescribe specific actions for participants to take. Individually or as a group, participants must discern their own choices for action. We do provide the following resources and suggestions.

Invite participants to look at the frequently updated Action Page, which contains information on current issues that are global in scope , as well as calls to action at the national level in the United States. They might find these resources helpful as they discern their next steps.

Since extractivism has very local impacts, we suggest participants focus their efforts first on what is happening in their own community or nearby communities. Encourage them to seek out organizations acting in solidarity with communities and natural spaces threatened by extractive industries and subscribe to their mailing lists. Getting to know these organizations will help participants determine how their skills, time and knowledge can best be utilized.  

If the group wants to take action together, set another meeting time to identify concrete action and start planning.

We would love to know how you choose to take action and to hear about the fruits of your actions. You may email us at justice@sistersofmercy.org.