Why Pope Francis and I Agree That Climate Change is a Moral Issue
Yesterday I had the honor of meeting privately with His Holiness Pope Francis. I was at the Vatican to attend the "Protect the Earth, Dignify Humanity" workshop on the moral dimensions of climate change and sustainable development.
Pope Francis and I had an extensive and fruitful discussion on several pressing global issues, including the greatest collective challenge facing humankind today -- climate change.
I stressed to Pope Francis that I very much look forward to his encyclical, which will act as moral voice on the issue and comes at an unprecedented time for global action for a sustainable future for our planet and its people.
The science of climate change is clear. The earth’s temperature is rising and we are the cause. It is extremely important that the world’s faith groups are clear on this issue and that they are in harmony with the science.
In one way or another, we are all experiencing the effects of climate change, and these impacts will only increase. Yet climate change does not affect us all equally. Those who suffer first and worst are those who did least to cause it: the poor and most vulnerable members of society who are the least equipped to mitigate and adapt to this changing situation.
Around the world, I have seen how floods, droughts, rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms are causing terrible harm, and prompting families to migrate, often at great peril.
As His Holiness Pope Francis has said, "We need to see, with the eyes of faith … the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person."
Achieving dignity for all must be the guiding force behind the major events taking place this year on development and climate -- events that will bring the countries and people of the world together to improve everyone's lives.
One of these, the summit on sustainable development in September, will be made all the more historic by a special address by Pope Francis to world leaders gathered at UN Headquarters in New York. Then, in December, the groundswell of momentum for action on climate change will culminate at the UN climate conference in Paris to adopt a universal and meaningful climate agreement.
Climate change is a moral issue. It is an issue of social justice, human rights and fundamental ethics. If left unchecked, the current course of climate change will alter life on Earth as we know it. Whatever your religious beliefs, this is morally indefensible. We must not let it happen.
- See why 2015 is the time for global action.
- Get more information on sustainable development.
- Find out how you can take climate action.
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8yhi why did you commander to ban ki-moon published in the south Sudan only why iran and other country like Khartoum on the war you should help south sudan president to signs peace in the country lebal riak machar is carefull kills seck 1991 said nure
Chief Clinical Engineering Officer and Regional Director
8yBecause you are both great leaders and it is the right thing to do for humanity.
Jornalista com especialização em Gestão Ambiental. Produtora de conteúdo, designer gráfico. Marketêra digital com ênfase em Twitter. Empreende a eiiamoreco comunicação de propósito. Voluntária do Voz das Comunidades.
8yThanks for inspiring us, both. I translated to portuguese from Brazil.
Project Manager (Instar EU)/
8yIf more leaders choose to ally themselves, their decisions will become joint and, influence more countries and, more people...