Pope Warns World Governments on Climate Change

The story

Pope Francis urged world governments today to take urgent action on climate change, warning that the planet could be destroyed without substantial intervention:

“There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts, and refuse.”

Background

The Pope made his appeal on the third anniversary of his landmark Vatican encyclical that laid out the argument for a new partnership between science and religion to combat human-caused climate change, while chiding climate change deniers.

The encyclical was intended to spur government action in relation to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Pope Francis said it was a “cause for real concern” that global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase since the agreement was reached nearly three years ago.

In his remarks today, the Pope urged governments to honor the commitments they made under the Paris Agreement, as many countries have been lagging behind. President Donald Trump has said he will withdraw the U.S. from the Agreement altogether.

A few weeks ago, Pope Francis convened a meeting of oil executives at which he similarly pressed them to work toward reducing the environmental impact of the world’s energy sources.

What do you think?

Do you share Pope Francis’ view that global governments are not doing enough to stave off the consequences of climate change? Do you agree with President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: Benhur Arcayan / Public Domain)