For the third consecutive year, sisters including Sister Eileen Reilly, director of UN-NGO Office for SSND, and province and sponsored ministry staff participating in the provinces’ ministry formation process, attended the annual CTAUN conference on April 5 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This year’s conference focused on the looming climate crisis, and asked what we can do to address this “defining issue of our time.” Nearly 600 attended including members of religious congregations, several Fulbright scholars, educators and high school and college students from Sweden and the U.S.; Ambassador Park from the Republic of Korea; and leaders from international private voluntary organizations. The day was full, presenters highlighted the major issues affecting our environment and showcased efforts underway by UN agencies, governments, non-government
organizations and individuals in finding solutions.
Following a full day of speakers and Q&A sessions, our group of 24 sisters and colleagues walked through a drizzling cityscape to share a meal and discuss what we as individuals, and members of SSND ministries can do individually and collectively. As overwhelming as some of the climate crisis statistics were, we departed with a clear commitment that as individuals and members of a larger community, we must take action and our individual efforts do make a difference. From that meeting, our Green Habits page was born! Please follow along as we create new actions each month to help make the small daily changes that will contribute to big changes for the environment!
