Pope Francis has called on States to
take action to implement the Paris Agreement in his message for
the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which
is observed by the Catholic Church on September 1, the Vatican
said on Thursday.
The pontiff has called for bolder action from all nations during
this year's COP27 and COP15 UN summits on climate change and
biodiversity.
Regarding COP27, the Pope Francis joined calls for the Paris
Agreement's temperature increase goal of 1.5°C to be respected.
"The effort to achieve the Paris goal of limiting temperature
increase to 1.5°C is quite demanding; it calls for responsible
cooperation between all nations in presenting climate plans or
more ambitious nationally determined contributions in order to
reduce to zero, as quickly as possible, net greenhouse gas
emissions," Francis said.
"This means 'converting' models of consumption and production,
as well as lifestyles, in a way more respectful of creation and
the integral human development of all peoples, present and
future, a development grounded in responsibility,
prudence/precaution, solidarity, concern for the poor and for
future generations".
He noted that the climate crisis was a source of anxiety for
young people and was hitting the world's poorest hardest.
"Exposed to the climate crisis, the poor feel even more gravely
the impact of the drought, flooding, hurricanes and heat waves
that are becoming ever more intense and frequent," the message
read.
"Likewise, our brothers and sisters of the native peoples are
crying out. As a result of predatory economic interests, their
ancestral lands are being invaded and devastated on all sides,
'provoking a cry that rises up to heaven'.
"Finally, there is the plea of our children. Feeling menaced by
shortsighted and selfish actions, today's young people are
crying out, anxiously asking us adults to do everything possible
to prevent, or at least limit, the collapse of our planet's
ecosystems".
The pope also called for action to pay the 'ecological debt'
incurred by the economically richer countries, which have
polluted most in the last two centuries.
"In addition to determined action within their borders, this
means keeping their promises of financial and technical support
for the economically poorer nations, which are already
experiencing most of the burden of the climate crisis," he said,
referring to wealthier States.
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