Written By: Rubén Álvarez Silva, Director, Just DePaul, Division of Mission and Ministry
May 24th marked the 10 year anniversary of Pope Francis signing Laudato Si’, his seminal encyclical on climate change and our common home. This document served as a call-to-action to urgently and concretely respond to the cries of the Earth and the poor by addressing climate change and the social and environmental challenges which threaten all life on the planet. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things and the environment through the concept of a “sacramental universe,” suggesting that all parts of creation are linked and dependent on one another. Moreover, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of an “integral ecology,” inviting us to shift our perspective from seeing humanity as owners of nature, separate and above it, to being responsible stewards “…called to care for all that exists.”
Since DePaul’s founding in 1898, “[t]hrough education and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges.” [1] Just last week, I had the privilege of attending the 17th Annual Service Speaks Conference where I heard how a DePaul education impacted Madeline “Maddy” Robertson, Director of Sustainability at Greystar, on her personal and professional journey. In her remarks, Maddy invited us to put on our “sustainability sunglasses” to see the infinite challenges and opportunities before us, as individuals and a community, to address climate change both on and off our campus. [2]
And indeed, every day across campus our community is addressing these challenges in exciting and creative ways. We’re developing our first institution-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP); to learn more and share your feedback you should visit sustainability.depaul.edu. There is also a burgeoning DePaul Food Recovery and Food Justice network combining efforts to reduce food waste and insecurity in our community. The Theatre School just celebrated its first Climate Action Festival. Chemistry faculty, staff, and students are diligently working to innovate “green chemistry” into teaching, research, and scholarship. Study abroad launched a Sustainability Advisory Committee this year to explore and expand sustainability into program design and host country experiences. The President’s Sustainability Committee (PSC) is gearing up to address zero-waste. This list goes on and, with your response to the cry of the Earth and the poor, we can create more possibilities towards realizing integral ecology in this sacramental universe.
As you respond to the Vincentian question “What must be done?”, put on your sustainability sunglasses and ask yourself:
- Who am I?
Pause and think about your identities and values. - Who are we? Pause and think about what our mission and principles represent to you.
- How can we design and build a more socially and environmentally just future collectively? Pause and imagine another world is possible.
The challenges of sustainability can feel overwhelming at times, so take heart in the words of St. Louise de Marillac and “[e]ncourage one another and may your mutual good example speak louder than any words can.” [3]
Reflection by: Rubén Álvarez Silva, Director, Just DePaul, Division of Mission and Ministry
[1] University Mission Statement, March 4, 2021, at: https://offices.depaul.edu/mission-ministry/about/Pages/mission.aspx.
[2] For an off campus example, see: Laudato Si’ Movement, 2025: A year of adventure, November 8, 2024, at: https://laudatosimovement.org/news/2025-a-year-of-adventure/.
[3] L.402, (To the Sisters of Angers), (September 1654), Spiritual Writings of Louise de Marillac, 450.