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Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ provides an opportune moment to reflect on the state of environmental justice. This reflection focuses on recent environmental rollbacks, the shifting landscape, and policy shifts that have impacted vulnerable communities.
In choosing Laudato Si’ as our focus this month, we want to address what Pope Francis has shared alongside what our Church is teaching.
Environmental Justice at a Crossroads
As we mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ in May 2025, we find ourselves at a critical moment for environmental justice—one shaped by mounting ecological challenges, shifting policies, and growing impacts on vulnerable communities.
- Air Quality Concerns: The proposed rollback of the regional haze rule, which has improved air quality in national parks, threatens to reverse progress in reducing pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. AP News
- The Trump administration has announced plans to restructure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to eliminate climate-focused research, potentially hindering efforts to understand and mitigate climate change impacts. Politico
- The Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to restructure NOAA, which would reduce its role in climate research and environmental protection. This initiative aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” which advocates for a substantial overhaul of federal agencies involved in environmental regulation.
Among the key elements of the restructuring are:
- Budget Reductions: The proposed budget cuts NOAA’s funding by approximately $1.7 billion, reducing it from $6.1 billion to $4.5 billion. This includes a 65% reduction in the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), effectively dismantling its climate research capabilities. The Guardian
- Eliminating Climate Programs: The plan calls for terminating several climate initiatives, including Earth observation satellite programs and coastal protection efforts. Additionally, the U.S. Global Change Research Program, responsible for the National Climate Assessment, would lose funding, jeopardizing future assessments. The Guardian
- Reallocation of Responsibilities: NOAA’s marine resource protection duties, including enforcement of endangered species protection, would shift to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline environmental regulations. Reuters
Some Implications and Criticisms:
Critics argue that these changes could undermine scientific integrity, hinder preparedness for extreme weather events, and negatively impact marine ecosystems. Former NOAA administrators and environmental groups warn that the proposed cuts compromise public safety and economic stability. Reuters
Policy Rollbacks and Public Health:
Recent events underscore the urgent need to confront environmental injustices—developments that threaten all our communities and signal a troubling decline in comprehensive ecological protections:
- Coal Industry Revival: The designation of coal as a “critical mineral” aims to expand mining on federal lands, despite environmental and health risks associated with coal production and use. Barron’s
- Environmental Regulation Rollbacks: The administration has reversed numerous environmental rules, including air pollution, emissions, and toxic substances, potentially compromising public health. Harvard Environmental Division
- Update on Rollbacks: The Trump administration, in collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, is planning a sweeping and rapid deregulation effort across hundreds of federal rules affecting health, safety, labor, environment, and more. Using recent Supreme Court rulings and bypassing traditional legal processes, the administration aims to repeal or stop enforcing many regulations permanently and quickly, benefiting business interests but raising significant concerns about public safety and oversight.
E.P.A. Rollbacks:
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has already proposed repealing 31 environmental rules, including those related to:
- Climate change
- Chemical pollution
- Wetlands protections
- Trump has wanted to undo the auto emissions rule targeting tailpipe pollution since his first term. The New York Times
Our Call to Action:
Join Catholics across the United States by sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator, Lee Zeldin, to express concerns regarding the administration’s intention to repeal 31 critical, life-saving protections against pollution and the ongoing efforts to reduce staffing needed to protect human health. See the Catholic Climate Covenant’s action alert here.
The Path Forward
As people of faith, we are called to respond to these urgent challenges as it’s imperative to reaffirm our commitment to environmental justice. This includes supporting policies that protect vulnerable communities, investing in sustainable energy, and upholding scientific research that informs sound ecological decision-making. As Laudato Si’ reminds us, caring for our typical home is not just an environmental issue but a moral and social one that demands our collective action. seedfreedom.info
Educate:
- Earthjustice on Environmental Justice Protections
- NOAA Restructuring Plans
- Education for Justice – Environmental Justice
Reflect:
- Laudato Si and Ecological Conversion
- Video prayer: Ecological Examen
- Student Guide on Environmental Justice and the U.S. Elections
- Catholic Social Tradition, the Environment and the Option for the Poor
- Climate Solution or Environmental Rights Catastrophe
Advocate:
- Use this website to find your representative and senator – bit.ly/4iJDibp
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