There are several ways in which schools and parishes can begin to educate their students, staff, and parishioners on the most important environmental issues.  One way is to form a parish “green team,” creation care team, or environmental stewardship ministry, which would take the lead in not only implementing specific practices, but in developing environmental education materials for Adult Education programs, Young Adult groups, Social Action Committees, and other ministries.

Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light and the Catholic Climate Covenant have resources available for development of Green Teams.  In schools, students could form Green Clubs, St. Francis Clubs, or Laudato Si Clubs that might serve as role models and leaders for other students.  Green Clubs in our Catholic schools can take the lead in creating gardens, composting, recycling, and environmental awareness, working with science, religion, and art teachers to better put Laudato Si into action.  “Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life,” says the Holy Father.

• How to Start a Green Team document from MIPL