Laudato Si' and the emerging contribution of Catholic research universities to planetary health.

SACRU is a collaborative global network of eight universities affiliated with the Catholic Church. Our institutions span North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. In response to Pope Francis’ call in his encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, for Catholic institutions to take concrete, scientifically informed actions to advance equitable and lasting solutions to the planetary crisis, SACRU universities are forming transdisciplinary research institutes designed to generate new knowledge about climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, clean energy systems, human-centered urban design, sustainable food and water systems, ecological land management, Indigenous people’s rights, and environmental policy. We are committed additionally to community engagement and to moving scientific discoveries beyond academia to influence policy, promote social justice and advance the common good.