There is a phrase commonly quoted about how the most respectful thing we can do for another is to listen. The simple act of listening to another not only demonstrates that you respect them as a person, but it enables meaningful dialogue. And that was the genesis for the Climate Listening Project which started last year by asking a simple question: What's your climate story?
At its core, the Climate Listening Project attempts to provide a platform so that we may respectfully listen to each other, share our stories, and grow our collective wisdom when it comes to climate impacts and solutions.
In his encyclical Laudato Si (Praise Be) released last week, Pope Francis urges "every person living on this planet" to enter into an effective dialogue about our common home. He encourages everyone to discuss "how we are shaping the future of our planet." He states that "[w]e need a conversation which includes every one, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all." Through this dialogue we can hopefully begin to change our relationship with nature -- and each other.
In this latest video from the Climate Listening Project we aim to encourage the kind dialogue which Pope Francis calls for in his encyclical. Communities of faith have a significant role at the heart of many of these conversations and hopefully this video can help kick-start meaningful dialogues. But this is a discussion in which we all are encouraged and needed, "each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents."
We encourage everyone to view it, share it and use it.