“The world is crumbling”: Pope calls for action on climate crisis

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Global warming is one of the greatest challenges facing society and the world community, according to the apostolic exhortation “Laudate Deum” (Praise God) published on Wednesday. “As time passes, it becomes clear to me that we are not responding enough as the world around us is crumbling and perhaps facing a deep rupture,” the head of the Catholic Church wrote.

The situation is becoming increasingly urgent and concern for the common home is growing, the Pope explained. What is therefore needed is a rethink of people and especially of politics. “Let us finally stop the irresponsible ridicule that portrays this subject as something purely ecological, ‘green’ and romantic, which is often ridiculed by economic interests.”

He clearly rejected the climate change deniers. There is no shortage of people who downplay the experts’ observations. But: “No matter how much you try to deny, conceal, hide or put them into perspective: the signs of climate change are there and are becoming increasingly clear.”

The now published letter “Laudate Deum” should be understood as an update of the well-known environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’” from 2015. An encyclical is one of the most important teaching documents of the Catholic Church. In “Laudato Si,” Francis called for an “ecological reversal” and greater climate protection, denouncing environmental destruction, social injustice and consumerism.

In concrete terms, the 86-year-old Francis calls on international politics to adopt a new multilateralism. Climate change has consequences for the entire world. Global cooperation is needed that is not dependent on changing political circumstances or the interests of a few. Human power also needs to be reconsidered. The world is not an object of exploitation and unbridled use. It must be recognized that “our power and the progress we create are against ourselves.”

A practical measure is therefore the transition to sustainable forms of energy. The Pope sees the West as having a special responsibility for the great energy transition. A large-scale change in the irresponsible lifestyle associated with the Western model would therefore have a significant long-term impact. Because in this context, according to him, millions of poor people who suffer most from climate change are being exploited.

The average temperature on Earth has increased significantly, especially in recent decades. Since the 1980s, temperatures have risen by almost 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade and are currently about 1.2 degrees above levels from 1850 to 1900. The ten warmest years have all occurred since 2010.

Environmental and climate protection requires the participation of everyone, the Pope said. “No one saves himself alone,” Francis continued. He experiences the efforts of climate activists as positive. So-called radicalized groups draw attention to themselves with actions – but in doing so they fill a gap in society that needs healthy ‘pressure’. “It is up to every family to remember that their children’s future is at stake.”

(SDA)

Source: Blick