Lifestyle Change

“For human beings… to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate. by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins.”

“Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it. Obsession with a consumerist lifestyle, above all when few people are capable of maintaining it, can only lead to violence and mutual destruction.”

(Pope Francis, LS. 8. 23. 204)

The current neo-liberal world is marked by consumerism. At times this disconcerts and contradicts Gospel values, such as brotherhood, solidarity and coexistence among all creatures. Likewise, the current system gives birth to the culture of “use and throw away”. Both the culture of consumerism and the throwaway culture critically undermine the integrity of our common home.

The Laudato Si’ Revolution promotes personal and community lifestyle change, which collectively can make a difference in the world. Brother Francis and his companions began a new lifestyle 800 years ago, and it became a social movement of peace and fraternity that changed the culture of the European continent. We believe in the power of such concrete practices, for when we pursue them with a sincere heart, we become an inspiration to others.

Laudato Si’ Revolution proposes several practices, including urban gardening, changes in diet, transport and various other types of sustainable consumption. You can join the movement by posting photos of your lifestyle change action next to the #LSRevolution hashtag on social networks. The image with lifestyle change phrases can be downloaded here and used to make your photos.