Linking care for the earth with a preferential option for the poor, and the need to work for the common good were ideas central to a Catholic Environmental Justice conference held October 29-31, 2004 The conference brought together US theologians, scientists, academic specialists, bishops, heads of national Catholic organizations engaged in environmental issues, and social action leaders versed in Catholic social thought to consider these themes of Catholic social teaching.
Manitoba Hydro was featured in an address by political science professor Steven M. Hoffman, "Powering Injustice: Hydroelectric Development And Aboriginal Communities In Northern Manitoba." The address illustrates that it is the poor who suffer most from degradation of the environment. Mr. Hoffman pointed out that 10 percent of the electricity providing cheap power in the St. Paul, Minnesota area comes from Manitoba, Canada, and its chain of hydroelectric dams on the Nelson River. The invitation-only meeting was jointly sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The conference also featured several extensive panel discussions and visits by participants to several sites with environmental significance such as farming operations and environmental action projects.
View the Catholic News Service article
View Steve Hoffman's address: Powering Injustice: Hydroelectric Development And Aboriginal Communities In Northern Manitoba
Source: Catholic News Service
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