In May 2015, Pope Francis’s influential encyclical on caring for our common home was published. The same year, world leaders met to agree action on climate change in the Paris Climate Accord.

Ten years later, much has changed politically, and the message of Laudato Si’ is now more urgent and compelling than ever.

Last year, CCSTP commissioned a series of short videos, drawing on Catholic Social Teaching, to address contemporary social and political issues in an accessible and engaging way.

As part of Laudato Si’ week, we are highlighting one of those videos, from Dr Carmody Grey, Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham University. She explores a Catholic approach to climate and nature and identifies ways in which Catholic Social Teaching compels us to engage and to act to protect creation.

In the video, Dr Grey reminds us: “The Catholic faith is based on an understanding of what this world actually is. This world is creation. It's not just an inert object, not just furniture. It's loved, willed and called into communion with God. We are journeying to God alongside all the creatures of this world. A core part of the human vocation is to fulfill the capacities of the earth not to destroy it.”

Find discussion questions to use in a parish, group or individually. These are in the video notes.

Watch more videos in this series, on issues including migration; peace and conflict; work; and social care.