"Earthrise" is a famous photograph of the Earth and parts of the moon's surface taken from lunar orbit by astronaut Bill Anders on Dec. 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission. (Bill Anders/NASA/Creative Commons)
by Stephanie Clary
The past year has seen more than one newsroom expand their environment desks, including the Boston Globe, Associated Press and the The Washington Post. This reflects a trend identified by the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their Climate Change 2022 report: Media coverage of climate-related stories has been growing — nearly doubling in the past five years, according to the IPCC study.
EarthBeat was established as the faith and climate project of the National Catholic Reporter in October 2019, and while NCR was covering environment news in its main pages long before that, the past three years have seen the topic given particular attention and priority through EarthBeat. A dedicated environment editor and correspondent, plus numerous contributors, make this work possible every day.
2022's top 10 most popular EarthBeat stories include not only coverage of climate news from a faith perspective, but also columns about ecological justice and essays on creation spirituality. In addition, @EarthBeatNCR's most popular Instagram post is included in this year's "best of" list.
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1. Earth: One of God's failed experiments?
By Thomas Reese, Religion News Service (Jan. 7, 2022)
God gives us every chance, but we may be blowing it. Recent scientific discoveries about the universe suggest it may be time to update our theological imaginations about humanity's, and Earth's, place within it.
2. As COP27 talks stall, Catholics smash tablets, pray for divine intervention on Sinai
By Doreen Ajiambo (Nov. 15, 2022)
"God, we seek your intervention at this sacred place where Moses received the Ten Commandments," Fr. Vitalis Anaehobi said, leading Catholics in prayer at Mount Sinai Nov. 14, during U.N. climate change negotiations.
The peak of Mount Sinai, traditionally known as Jabal Musa, where, according to the Bible, Moses received the Ten Commandments (EarthBeat photo/Doreen Ajiambo)
3. Young Catholics deliver critique of US church leaders' climate silence straight to the pope
By Brian Roewe (Feb. 26, 2022)
"U.S. Catholic leaders' failure to share and enact the church's own climate teachings is disillusioning young people," a college student tells Pope Francis.
4. What St. Patrick's prayer song teaches us about connecting with the land
By Damian Costello (March 17, 2022)
Known for converting Ireland, St. Patrick's relevance today comes from how the land of Ireland converted him.
5. Synod report details US bishops' avoidance of church teaching on creation care
By Brian Roewe (Aug. 16, 2022)
According to a report by Catholic Climate Covenant, many lay Catholics who have embraced and worked to live out church teachings to safeguard God's creation feel little to no support from clergy, bishops and dioceses, and in some cases opposition.
The 2022 Seattle University graduation at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, June 12th, 2022. (RNS/Seattle University/Yosef Kalinko)
6. My generation needs to apologize to the class of 2022
By Thomas Reese, Religion News Service (June 18, 2022)
The only advice I can give to graduates today is, don't follow our example. If the next generation opens their hearts to love and compassion, they will be the greatest generation of this century.
7. As Build Back Better stalls, faith leaders call Biden, Senate to 'moment for courage' on climate
By Brian Roewe (Feb. 17, 2022)
Eighty-six faith leaders have called on President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to not abandon Democrats' Build Back Better agenda and its hundreds of billions of dollars to combat climate change.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House in Washington Jan. 14. Also pictured is Mitch Landrieu, senior adviser on infrastructure. (CNS/Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
8. Cardinal-designate McElroy has long commitment to Laudato Si', environment
By Brian Roewe (Aug. 25, 2022)
San Diego's Robert McElroy, who will be elevated to cardinal on Saturday, has been among the most outspoken among U.S. bishops in addressing climate change and environmental justice, and transforming words into actions.
9. A pastor finds joy through the Lenten practice of birdwatching
By Courtney Ellis (March 19, 2022)
No matter where you are, if you set aside 10 minutes each day to look and listen for "a bird from the Lord," you might be surprised by the results.
"Black Elk/Mighty Flowering Tree" by Brother Michael O’Neill McGrath (Courtesy of Michael O’Neill McGrath)
10. Re-Indigenize your faith by recognizing sweetgrass, all things as kin
By Damian Costello (Feb. 5, 2022)
Seeds of authentic kinship with the other-than-human world exist in Christian tradition as well as in Indigenous wisdom. Both views create a vision of the whole of creation, with humanity a small yet important part.
