Faith communities take up the pope’s directive to fight climate change.

June 18 marked the one-year anniversary of Laudato Si, a papal letter in which Pope Francis declared what had already been known by virtually every climate scientist in the world: that climate change is a real, human-caused, urgent issue. The third week of June was celebrated throughout the world as Laudato Si Week by thousands of Catholics and interfaith groups.

As Pope Francis eloquently writes in Laudato Si, “We are called to make the Earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.”

To celebrate Laudato Si Week, the Romero Institute, a nonprofit interfaith policy center in Santa Cruz, is partnering with the Monterey Diocese to encourage its 59 churches to initiate climate work. The Diocese rightly sees Pope Francis’ letter as a call to protect the environment and all living systems, as well as a call for environmental justice, since some of the poorest people around the world are now suffering the worst impacts of climate change. Record-breaking floods, hurricanes, droughts, fires and heat waves have already begun devastating people.

REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES IS OUR SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY.

This week, the Romero Institute and Diocese will help parishes initiate practical programs in church communities, like encouraging installation of solar panels on churches and homes.

All change must start locally. In the face of politicians continuing to bicker about the “reality” of climate change, communities throughout California have been taking action to establish Community Choice Energy (CCE) projects. CCEs make it possible for a community to choose where its energy will come from. Pacific Gas and Electric (and other energy companies) will continue to maintain the electricity grid and deliver energy to customers. This new, emerging partnership is an effective way to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing renewable energy sources at competitive and affordable prices.

Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties have begun a three-year process of investigating the feasibility of forming a CCE in the tri-county area. This effort has been undertaken by the Monterey Bay Community Power Project, a consortium of mostly county and city officials. (The Romero Institute is also a partner.) If everything goes according to plan, we can expect Monterey Bay Community Power to be up and running by the fall of 2017.

Pope Francis’ message has led to a spiritual awakening, and with it, a call to pay close attention to the deteriorating state of our planet. Generating clean energy is now directly related to the spiritual and religious mission of houses of worship.

Reducing greenhouse gases is our social and spiritual responsibility. Faith-based green teams and CCEs provide communities the practical tools to take charge in the fight to save our future.

DANIEL SHEEHAN is president and general counsel of the Romero Institute, and a member of the Global Catholic Climate Movement’s international steering committee.