Features 24/11/22 A spiritual mandate to care for the Earth

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A spiritual mandate to care for the Earth

Maryknoll lay missioner at COP29 believes combating climate change is not just technical or financial but also deeply spiritual

Lisa Sullivan is representing the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo: Supplied)

By UCA News reporter, Baku

Published: November 22, 2024 12:04 PM GMT

Updated: November 22, 2024 12:12 PM GMT

Lisa Sullivan is seated in the corner of an expansive hall meant for the side events at COP29, busy speaking to people about how faith can save the planet and be a decisive force in dealing with the impacts of climate change.

Sullivan, a lay missioner with the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (OGC), is attending the UN meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, as a representative of the entire Maryknoll family.

Maryknoll missioners work with vulnerable communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. “Many of these communities are facing the catastrophic impacts of a crisis they did not create," she told UCA News.

From droughts to crop failures, the ripple effects of climate change drive migration, hunger, and survival struggles of the people on these continents.

“We are here to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are upheld,” Sullivan added.

Her journey with the Maryknoll family spans over 40 years, including 21 years as a lay missionary in Venezuela and Bolivia.

Now based in Washington, D.C., she is focused on addressing the needs of communities around the globe that bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing little to its causes.

The role of faith in climate advocacy

Sullivan sees a profound role for faith-based organizations in climate action while stressing the intersection of faith, climate, and justice in her work.

Citing Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, she outlined the spiritual mandate to care for the Earth as a sacred responsibility.

“Faith organizations have a unique voice in this dialogue. Pope Francis reminds us that the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor are inseparably linked. This spiritual call transcends denominations, as evidenced by the collaboration of Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and indigenous faith groups here at COP29,” Sullivan said.

She believes the shift needed to combat climate change is not just technical or financial but also deeply spiritual.

“Humanity needs a shift of the heart. It’s about rethinking how we live, especially in the Global North, where unsustainable consumption drives the crisis,” she added.

Finance as the core agenda

Dubbed the "Finance COP," the meeting is focused on securing new funding commitments as the previous financial framework expires.

Sullivan stressed the urgency of reaching robust financial agreements to address mitigation and adaptation needs.

"Without adequate funding, the changes we need cannot happen," she explained. 

"Countries facing the worst impacts of climate change require resources to repair the damage and prevent further harm."

Sullivan called for a baseline commitment of at least US$1 trillion annually from developed to developing nations.

She argued that public financing, rather than reliance on private investment, is critical to achieving equitable climate solutions.

Reflecting on progress made, Sullivan highlighted the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund, a mechanism to help vulnerable nations cope with irreversible climate impacts.

"This was the result of years of advocacy, starting from the margins of previous COPs. It’s a reminder that change often begins in small conversations and grows over time," she said.

However, she acknowledged the slow pace of negotiations at COP29, with unresolved key issues. "We know what is needed, but achieving it requires unprecedented political will and cooperation," she remarked.

Climate and migration: A growing crisis

Sullivan said that based on her own experiences in Latin America, there is a direct link between climate change and migration.

"In Mexico, we see migrants fleeing droughts and crop failures. Many arrive at the US border seeking survival, not opportunity," she said.

According to her, this pattern is not limited to Latin America, as migrants increasingly arrive from Africa and Asia, driven by climate-related displacement. "Climate change is a global crisis with deeply local consequences. Addressing it requires a holistic approach," Sullivan said.

Maryknoll’s efforts focus on accompaniment rather than large-scale relief. From providing temporary housing and legal aid at the US-Mexico border to working with refugees in South Sudan, the organization’s approach is rooted in solidarity.

"We're not a major funding organization, but we stand with these communities, bearing witness to their struggles and advocating for justice on their behalf," Sullivan explained.

Looking ahead, Sullivan expressed hope for greater collaboration between global conventions, such as those on biodiversity and desertification, and the climate COPs.

With COP30 set to take place in Brazil, she hopes to harness the region’s passion for biodiversity to inspire broader action.

“The stakes are incredibly high,” she said. “The world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities are counting on us to act decisively.”

A moral and spiritual imperative

For Sullivan, the climate crisis is as much a moral issue as it is an environmental or economic one. She criticized wealthy nations, particularly the US, for their outsized contributions to global emissions and their failure to take sufficient responsibility.

"The countries that have burned the most fossil fuels bear the greatest responsibility. They profited from the bonfire and now expect everyone else to help put it out," she said.

Sullivan called on faith groups to lead by example and urged a reeval‎uation of humanity's relationship with the planet.

"It’s about more than emissions targets and financial commitments. It’s about how we live, how we consume, and what we value," she said.

Despite the challenges, Sullivan remains hopeful. “Change is slow, but it is happening. The presence of so many climate justice activists here at COP29 is a testament to the power of collective action,” she said.

"This is a fight for our common home, for the Earth, and for the most vulnerable among us. We must rise to the occasion, guided by faith, compassion, and a shared commitment to justice," the Maryknoll missioner stressed.