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CV NEWS FEED // Pope Francis’ delegate to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference urged participants and world leaders on Saturday to protect the environment and “choose life” by taking proactive measures against climate change.
“The destruction of the environment is an offence against God, a sin that is not only personal but also structural, one that greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable in our midst and threatens to unleash a conflict between generations,” Francis’ delegate, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told the COP28 assembly, according to Vatican News.
The annual UN Summit to address climate change is held in Dubai this year from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. Over one hundred world leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, King Charles III, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are in attendance, as well as thousands of other delegates from various countries.
Francis added that climate change stems from rising levels of greenhouse gasses that come from “unsustainable human activities.”
“The drive to produce and possess has become an obsession, resulting in an inordinate greed that has made the environment the object of unbridled exploitation,” Francis said. “The climate, run amok, is crying out to us to halt this illusion of omnipotence.”
“A world completely connected, like ours today, should not be unconnected by those who govern it, with international negotiations that ‘cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries which place their national interests above the global common good,’” he continued, advocating for a collective responsibility for the future.
Pope Francis also highlighted the effects of climate change on poor and impoverished communities, calling for greater social justice and care for the poor in wealthy countries. According to him, “multilateralism,” a term referring to “togetherness” and “effective cooperation” are required to fix the environmental crisis.
Francis pointed out that the numerous wars throughout the world tear down multilateralism and only make environmental and peace issues worse.
“How many resources are being squandered on weaponry that destroys lives and devastates our common home!” he said.
“With the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger,” he continued, echoing an already voiced proposal.
Francis said that addressing climate change will be significantly impactful for future generations.
“To all of you,” Francis said, “I make this heartfelt appeal: Let us choose life! Let us choose the future! May we be attentive to the cry of the earth, may we hear the plea of the poor, may we be sensitive to the hopes of the young and the dreams of children! We have a grave responsibility: to ensure that they not be denied their future.”
