Caring About the Environment as a Catholic Woman in Business
“All creatures stand to God as the products of art to the artist. Hence all nature may be called an artistic product of divine workmanship” (St. Thomas Aquinas).
This Earth Day, let’s take a look at how business, Catholicism, the environment, and the unique gifts of women intersect. After all, as women of faith and business professionals, Catholic women are stewards of both our resources and our values.
My Journey to Catholicism and Laudato Si’
A month after attending my first Mass, Pope Franics was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. At the time, I was excited for this new pope and his commitment to the environment, but I didn’t realize that he was building on a rich Church precedent, from Pope Benedict XVI all the way back to St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus.
Pope St. John Paul II declared the environment to be a moral priority of the Church during his 1990 message for the World Day of Peace. Pope Benedict XVI was nicknamed “the green pope” because he spoke on environmental issues so frequently. But he didn't just talk the talk. He took action by installing solar panels on the Vatican’s Nervi Hall and approving the funding of a Hungarian forest in a move to make Vatican City the first country to become carbon-neutral.
Pope Francis did take the focus on the environment to a new level with his encyclical Laudato Si’, connecting the dots as he advocated for the poor who are, and will be, the most affected by climate change; an end to our “throwaway culture”; an emphasis on our sacred duty to care for our common home; and the need for both systemic change and for everyone to experience a “profound interior conversion.”
Years after my conversion, I moved to Austin and decided to focus on the Laudato Si’ movement in my home parish. I’ve always seen our Creator in His creation and felt a deep recognition of the need to keep our common home clean, thriving, and abundant—a place for us to enjoy not just now but for generations to come. When the leader of our group wanted to expand statewide, I decided to be a part of that movement as well.
Reconnecting With Nature
I believe the first step to making a positive environmental impact is reconnecting with nature and finding joy in God’s creation. Here are a few ideas for how to reconnect with nature this Earth Day (and every day):
Add plants to your home, patio, or office space.
Add photos of nature to your screens and on real walls.
Schedule walking meetings outside. My walking one-on-one is the highlight of my work week! I feel more connected and creative moving outside and taking a break from Zoom.
Meditate on a psalm or other Bible verse that highlights nature.
Visit the wild, unmanicured nature—and the nature crafted by human hands as well (i.e., parks, botanical gardens, aquariums, etc.).
Look up at the sky, and feel the ground under your feet.
The Business Benefits of Being Environmentally-Friendly
Once you reconnect with nature, you may be thinking about how you can honor God’s creation in your personal and professional life. What kind of a contribution could you make toward ending our throwaway culture and making a difference for generations to come? Does it make sense from a business perspective? Here are some compelling reasons Catholic female business leaders should champion environmental stewardship.
1. Doing the Right Thing
We can make a difference by acknowledging how interconnected we are globally, the inherent value of human life and dignity, and the importance of saving our wild places. Essentially, what we do over here matters over there. Even if you only want to focus on your own backyard and community, however, reducing microplastics (which are now being found in the human placenta) and having clean drinking water is important for everyone.
Whether your business is big or small, integrating your Catholic values into your work life sets an example of what it means to be an ethical steward. It increases your credibility and may inspire others to pursue sustainability as well, perhaps in their own Little Way.
2. Cost Savings
Saving resources equals saving money. Being more energy-efficient, reducing waste, and conserving resources can save money and can spark greater innovation as well. Is there anything sustainable you could invest in now that would save money over the long term? How can your work be a part of an end to our “throwaway culture”?
3. Competitive Differentiation
Consumers are increasingly noticing which products align to their values and then purchasing accordingly. If you own your own business, could you offer an eco-friendly line and see how the sales compare to one that’s not? With a greater awareness of eco-friendly trends, offering products that are environmentally sound can offer an edge over the competition. You might even attract a new customer base or capture an emerging market.
4. Regulatory Compliance
Compliance is an important part of business. Meeting environmental regulations keeps you from having to pay the costly fines and penalties associated with noncompliance.
5. Future-Proofing
With the effects of climate change increasing across the globe, how can you future-proof your business? How will a rise in storms and their severity affect your shipping? Do you have any property that may be at risk due to wildfires or rising sea levels? Does your area have a stable source of long-term, clean drinking water? Are there any ways for you to combat rising insurance rates?
6. Employee Engagement
As consumers themselves, employees may also be excited that your business is aligning with their values, especially since conservation is mostly non-partisan (does anyone really want dirty rivers and microplastics in … well, everything?). How you communicate and involve them in the process matters. Consider asking employees for their input at the beginning so they feel involved, and highlight your cost savings at a staff meeting. You can then highlight any improvements in your recruitment efforts.
Thank you for exploring how you can make a difference this Earth Day and every day! By taking care of the environment, we honor God’s creation. If you’d like to learn more about environmentalism through a Catholic lens and create a resume-worthy project, sign up to be a Laudato Si Animator (despite the name, it’s not a design course).
Savanna Polasek is a nonprofit communications specialist, freelance writer, and creator of Memoir Ink. She is a Catholic convert and lives with her charming husband and daughter in Austin, Texas. In her free time she enjoys exploring Texas, listening to Catholic podcasts, reading, and writing fiction. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.