Stand with Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ recent TED talk about climate change acknowledges ’environmental problems are linked to human needs’.  Education in ecological and social awareness is imperative to address the climate emergency.  Pope Francis says that taking care of the earth is a human right and we all have a duty to do something about it.  He highlights three steps we can take to act on climate change:-

• to promote, at every level, an education geared towards the care of our common home, developing the understanding that environmental problems are linked to human needs.
• focus on water and nutrition.  Access to safe and drinkable water is an essential and universal human right.  It is essential because it determines the survival of people and therefore is a condition for the exercise of all other rights and responsibilities.
• energy transition: a gradual replacement, but without delay, of fossil fuels with clean energy sources.

Pope Francis has taken significant leadership on the climate emergency and on the Covid-19 crisis.  As we transition out of Covid-19, Pope Francis asks us to focus on how we move to a world where there is social dignity that addresses the suffering of the poor and needy.  Climate change impacts the poor and needy disproportionately, and this economic injustice needs to change.  We must endeavor to meet the needs of our current generation without causing challenges for future generations.

On the eve of this year’s Season of Creation month in September, Pope Francis issued a profound prayer intention that the planet’s resources will not be plundered but shared in a just and respectful manner.  He prays that today, not tomorrow, we will take care of Creation.

But he can’t do it alone.

It’s time for the global Catholic community to rally behind his message.

For that reason, we are inviting Catholics to sign a Petition for just action on Covid19 and the Climate Emergency, showing the Pope and the world that we care about creation.

Sign the Petition

What can you do?

• Pray
• Take Action: Stand with Pope Francis and sign the Catholic petition for a just position on the Covid recovery and climate emergency.  Protect the planet’s resources so they are not plundered but shared in a just and respectful manner with all God’s children.
• Read: Visit Season of Creation to get tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Listen: to Pope Francis’ TED Countdown talk or wherever you get your podcasts.  It’s only 13 minutes long and identifies the three steps we can take to act on climate change.
• Share: your ideas to create a more sustainable future with us.

By CBD Parish’s Environmental Sustainability Committee