Earth – Sustainability

Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark Presents Testimony to EPA on Gas Emission Regulations

Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark SSJ, provided important testimony at the January 19, 2012 EPA hearing held in Philadelphia, PA. This was one of three public hearings across the country for the EPA to receive public opinion on the new regulations for gas emissions.

As Director of the SSJ Earth Center, an ambassador of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Climate Change Coalition, and assistant to Chestnut Hill College President for sustainability, Sister Mary Elizabeth advocates for environmental justice. Her testimony was made from a faith perspective.

In her testimony, Sister Mary Elizabeth stated: “As people of religious faith, we believe that the atmosphere that supports life on earth is a God-given gift, one we must respect and protect. It unites us as one human family. If we harm the atmosphere, we dishonor our Creator and the gift of creation. The values of our faith call us to humility, sacrifice, and a respect for life and the natural gifts God has provided. “

Read the entire testimony here

Food & Water Watch Scores Victory in Fight Against Fracking

Another victory has been achieved in the fight against fracking. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to provide shipments of fresh, clean water to four families in Dimock, Pennsylvania whose well water was poisoned by fracking. The EPA is also investigating the cause of water pollution elsewhere in the township.

Food & Water Watch supporters sent over 1,000 emails to the EPA in January, pushing for them to make good on their promise to provide water to the families affected by Cabot Oil & Gas’s dangerous fracking drilling.

“This move by the EPA is a step in the right direction, but it’s so important that we keep the pressure on our government to represent our interests and ban fracking before more water pollution occurs,” said Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark SSJ.