“Action is urgently needed. Our Creator called the human family to be the steward of creation, but we have neglected that call. Our hotter, dirtier, deader planet is driving up the risk of suffering. The most vulnerable suffer above all”.
Intention
The Call
Mission
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Community
The Laudato Si’ Goals
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Intention
Our world is Burning. The climate crisis and environmental degradation are real and taking care of our environment is increasingly a priority for our generation. Responding to the climate crisis is everyone’s responsibility. Therefore, everyone’s talents and involvement are needed if we are going to turn the tide on environmental degradation and its devastating effects on the world’s populations, particularly the poor and vulnerable. The Green Hearts South Africa climate action campaign aims to respond to the invitation to act to overcome this climate crisis by inviting individuals, families, communities, organisations, private business, government agencies and any other interested stakeholders to join in a partnership that promotes actions and attitudes of care for the earth, our common home.
The Call
The SJTI Environmental Action Programme is aimed at creating awareness and promoting action for environmental stewardship and ecological conversion. The programme is born as a direct response to two calls:
i. Pope Francis Through the launch of the Laudato Si Action Platform called on institutions, communities and families to get involved and journey together towards full sustainability in a holistic spirit of integral ecology.
ii. OMI general Administration Through signing on to Pope Francis’ Laudao Si Action Platform, the OMIs set to develop within the Oblate congregation viable projects of integral ecology. Institutes of Higher Learning have a unique capacity to offer, through their academic programs, ongoing education, or institute policies, processes and/or programs that can teach and practice integral ecology and evangelization.
Mission
Green Hearts South Africa’s mission is to create supportive, engaged and ecologically conscious communities that promote responsible citizenship and individual and community action in the care for the earth, our common home. Our primary goal is to help society develop positive attitudes and to get involved as agents of change that care for the earth enough to want to make a difference. The campaign focuses on 3 pillars that are critical in responding to the environmental crisis: Awareness, Education and Action.
The St Joseph’s Theological Institute Environmental Action Programme, called Green Hearts South Africa, operates under the following auspices:
Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, General Administration
Oblates of Mary Immaculate Southern Africa Province
SJTI Board of Directors
The operations of Green Hearts South Africa is entrusted to the SJTI Executive Administration who will be tasked with ensuring that the programme:
Meets its intended objectives
Remains within the budget constraints
Has appropriate personnel driving implementation
Further, the SJTI Executive will be responsible for giving regular reports on a pre-determined time-period.
Green Hearts South Africa is a collaborative programme and invites all interested individuals, families, communities, organisations, business and government agencies to come together and be part of the Green Hearts South Africa campaign.
Partnership is voluntary and entails a commitment to acting in small or big ways in caring for the environment.
Green Hearts South Africa
A Blooming Success: Green Heart SA Official Launch
Date: October 20-21, 2023
The world faces an ever-pressing environmental crisis. Climate change, habitat loss, and species extinction are all too real and pressing concerns. However, hope blossomed in the heart of our community as we celebrated an Environmental Awareness Launch of Green hearts SA from October 20th to the 21st, 2023. This event was a testament to the power of collective action and marked a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change.
A Community United
The success of the Environmental Awareness Launch was a testament to the power of a community united in its dedication to environmental stewardship. The event showcased that by working together, we can make a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.
As the sun set on the 21st of October, the trees we had planted stood tall, a living testament to our commitment to protect our planet. The Green Hearts SA Launch 2023 was not just an event; it was a declaration that our community, like countless others around the world, is willing to stand up, take action, and raise awareness about the climate change crisis. Together, we will continue to nurture the seeds of change and ensure a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come
“Our envisioned Earth is not green enough until our Hearts turn green“
Green Hearts SA’s School Outreach: Educating, Empowering, and Protecting the Environment!
One initiative that stands out as the Green Heart SA movement is the recent school outreach program, which not only aimed to educate young minds but also to empower and protect the environment for future generations. We reached out to this school on the 15th of February 2024
Central to Green Hearts SA’s outreach was a multifaceted approach that addressed various aspects of environmental awareness and action. One notable aspect of their initiative was the donation of sanitary towels to young women, coupled with education on proper disposal methods. This holistic approach not only tackled an important social issue but also underscored the connection between personal hygiene and environmental sustainability.
The provision of sanitary towels not only addressed a pressing need but also served as a platform for educating young women about menstrual hygiene and responsible waste management. By incorporating discussions on proper disposal methods, Green Hearts SA not only promoted hygiene but also instilled a sense of environmental responsibility among the recipients.
Furthermore, Green Hearts SA didn’t stop at sanitary towel donations. They also distributed trees and recycling bins as part of their outreach efforts. The donation of trees not only contributes to the greening of the environment but also underscores the importance of biodiversity and carbon sequestration in combating climate change. Meanwhile, the provision of recycling bins encourages waste segregation and recycling practices.
The pledge flag encapsulated the ethos of Green Hearts SA’s mission: to inspire and mobilize individuals towards positive environmental action. It symbolized a collective vow to preserve and protect the environment, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Through this symbolic gesture, Green Hearts SA instilled a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment, encouraging active participation in sustainable practices.
In conclusion, Green Hearts SA’s school outreach exemplifies the power of education, empowerment, and collective action in safeguarding the environment. By addressing various facets of environmental awareness and action, from menstrual hygiene to tree planting and recycling, Green Hearts SA not only educates but also empowers individuals to become stewards of the environment. Through initiatives like the pledge flag, they foster a sense of unity and commitment towards building a sustainable future. As we look towards the future, it is initiatives like these that offer hope and inspiration for a greener, more sustainable world.
Never Never Land Full-service school is a primary school situated in Cedara, not so far from the institute. It is an upcoming school with approximately 300 learners from around the area. It ranges from learners aged 4-13 years of age. What propelled Green Hearts South Africa to reach out to that school, in particular, is the reality that the school is faced with. It is situated in a marginalized area with no service providence. The municipality hardly reaches out to that community on basis of the basic services like waste collection and water supply. All this is evident through the amount of litter and waste that exists within the community’s public spaces. The roads have become their dumping site.
Central to Green Hearts SA’s outreach was a multifaceted approach that addressed various aspects of environmental awareness and action. One notable aspect of their initiative was the donation disposal bins that in turn became their recycling project, coupled with education on proper disposal methods. This holistic approach not only tackled an important social issue but also underscored the connection between personal hygiene and environmental sustainability.
These seven goals provide guidance on urgent and immediate actions each one of us can take in the care of our common home. “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents” (Laudato Si’ 14)
St Joseph’s Theological Institute through The Green Hearts S.A climate action campaign invites you to join the cause in a collaborative partnership in order to respond to the challenge of environmental degradation and to take care of the earth, our common home.
Green Hearts Enquiry Form
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND EMPOWERMENT
Community resilience and empowerment envisage a synodal journey of community engagement and participatory action at various levels. Actions could include promoting advocacy and developing people’s campaigns, encouraging rootedness and a sense of belonging in local communities and neighbourhood ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
Ecological Spirituality spring from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things”, both in the beauty of creation and in the sighs of the sick and the groans of the afflicted, aware that the life of the spirit is not dissociated from worldly realities. Actions could include promoting creation-based liturgical celebrations, developing ecological catechesis, retreats and formation programmes, etc.
ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Ecological Education is about re-thinking and re-designing curricular and institutional reform in the spirit of integral ecology in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action. Actions could include ensuring equitable access to education for all and promoting human rights, fostering Laudato Si’ themes within the community, encouraging ecological leadership (students, teachers), and ecological restoration activities.
ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES
The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency, and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. Actions could include reducing waste and recycling, adopting sustainable dietary habits (opting for a more plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption), greater use of public transport, active mobility (walking, cycling), and avoiding single use items (e.g. plastic, etc.).
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society, which itself is embedded within the biosphere–our common home. Actions could include sustainable production and consumption, ethical investments, divestment from fossil fuels and any activity harmful to the planet and the people, supporting circular economies, and prioritizing care labour and protecting the dignity of workers.
RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE EARTH
The Response to the Cry of the Earth is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability. Actions could include the adoption of renewable energies and energy sufficiency measures, achieving carbon neutrality, protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and guaranteeing access to clean water for all.
RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE POOR
The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death, and all forms of life on Earth. Actions could include projects to promote solidarity, with special attention given to vulnerable groups such as indigenous communities, refugees, migrants, and children at risk, analysis and improvement of social systems, and social service programmes.
