Who Is in Greatest Peril?

How themes and goals of eco justice and social justice are interrelated, especially with regard to the poor, to women, the disabled and elderly.

Materials

Videos:

Program Two: Who Is in Greatest Peril?

Website:

Documents:

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Two is to the interrelationship between eco justice and social justice teachings of the Church, asking students to examine who is in greatest need as result of the environmental crisis.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Two: Who Is in Greatest Peril?"

2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following impressions from the video:

• Who are most affected by the environmental crisis?
• Who is trying to improve the situation and how?
• What did you know after viewing the video that you didn't know before?
• Which quote from what pope in this episode means the most to you and why?

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment. Using the internet links offered here, find more facts about:

• Existing Catholic eco justice initiatives
• The writings of Popes on the environment

4. Write 1.5 pages on the results of your research.

5. Group discussion

In groups, first share your short essays and then, asking one person to represent the discussion, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above.
Include suggestions on how students could start an ongoing eco justice project or become involved with local Catholic eco justice projects already in existence.