22 Sept 2026
Episode 47: Faith Meets Climate Action with Kayla Jacobs (Catholic Climate Covenant)
What does climate justice have to do with Catholic faith? For Kayla Jacobs of Catholic Climate Covenant, the answer is simple: everything is connected.
Kayla joins Maggie and Tim to share how Catholic social teaching, the Sisters of Mercy, and a transformative encounter with the Eucharist led her into the Church—and ultimately into climate advocacy. She explains why the climate crisis intensifies poverty, hunger, displacement, and other injustices, and why caring for creation cannot be separated from caring for our neighbors.
The conversation also explores the remarkable leadership of young Catholics. Through Catholic Climate Covenant’s youth mobilization work, high school students receive formation in theology, climate science, advocacy, and practical action. Along the way, they discover something just as important: a community of peers who share their concerns and give them hope.
Kayla also offers practical ways for parishes, schools, ministers, and families to participate in the Season of Creation and make creation care part of Catholic life.
About Kayla Jacobs
Kayla Jacobs leads youth mobilization and advocacy work at Catholic Climate Covenant, helping young Catholics connect faith, climate action, and care for communities most affected by the climate crisis. A convert to Catholicism, Kayla first encountered Catholic social teaching through the Sisters of Mercy while attending Saint Xavier University. Her work has included immigration advocacy, prison reform, diocesan creation-care ministry, youth leadership development, and legislative advocacy.
Episode highlights
00:36 — Kayla’s journey into the Catholic ChurchKayla shares how her family, the Sisters of Mercy, Catholic social teaching, and an encounter with the Eucharist shaped her conversion.
06:38 — What Catholic Climate Covenant makes possibleAn introduction to the organization’s work with parishes, schools, dioceses, religious communities, and Catholic institutions.
11:18 — Climate action and the institutional ChurchKayla discusses the Church’s growing engagement with creation care and the unique contributions Catholics can make.
17:37 — Catholic institutions moving toward net zeroThe conversation turns to diocesan sustainability commitments and the collective impact of Catholic properties.
18:27 — Where a parish or diocese can beginBuild a team, draw on existing resources, and be courageous about acting on the Church’s teaching.
23:18 — The spirituality of creation careWhy addressing the climate crisis requires reverence, interior conversion, and recognition of creation’s inherent goodness.
26:03 — Young Catholics and climate leadershipKayla introduces Catholic Climate Covenant’s youth program, including formation, regional summits, and advocacy.
35:09 — From isolation to communityStudents frequently enter the program feeling alone in their concern for the climate—and leave with friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
41:09 — How the youth program beganKayla recounts the climate march, young activists, and ministry experiences that inspired her to create the program.
45:55 — How students and adult allies can participateOpportunities for young people, teachers, ministers, parents, clergy, and religious communities to become involved.
51:38 — Celebrating the Season of CreationA look at the annual ecumenical observance, its Catholic connections, and resources for prayer and action.
55:20 — “Creation Sings!”Kayla shares Catholic Climate Covenant’s art initiative inviting young people to celebrate creation and the witness of St. Francis and St. Clare.
59:10 — What gives Kayla hopeThe commitment, imagination, and leadership of young people assure Kayla that the future is in good hands.
Resources mentioned
Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Youth Mobilization
Wholemakers creation-care curriculum
2026 Season of Creation resources
“Creation Sings!” youth art competition
Catholic Energies
Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home
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