Yes, the Pope has spoken out on the environment. A link will take you the document in English but it is also available in a number of other world languages including Arabic too.
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
Available publicly the day after the Australian document on developing north Australia is ironic. That document continues to foster debate in Australia today, with extensive media coverage and more expected in coming weeks and months.
The Pope does not pull any punches in his encyclical and quite clearly in layman's terms comes out to support the premise that a major cause of climate change has been and is now, atmosphere changes from increased levels of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels also leading to other effects.
He uses clear, easy to read language and does document material, relying on scientific evidence.
There are a few excerpts around with this one which appeared on the ABC web site in Australia a reasonable overview -
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-19/pope-francis-warns-humanity-about-pace-of-consumption/6557822
" Pope Francis has
issued a major encyclical on the environment, called Laudato Si (Praise Be), On
the Care of Our Common Home. Here are some key excerpts from the official
English version:
On climate change and its
causes
In recent decades
this warming has been accompanied by a constant rise in the sea level and, it
would appear, by an increase of extreme weather events, even if a
scientifically determinable cause cannot be assigned to each particular
phenomenon. Humanity is called to recognise the need for changes of lifestyle,
production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least the
human causes which produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other
factors (such as volcanic activity, variations in the Earth's orbit and axis,
the solar cycle), yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global
warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases
(carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a
result of human activity. Concentrated in the atmosphere, these gases do not
allow the warmth of the sun's rays reflected by the Earth to be dispersed in
space. The problem is aggravated by a model of development based on the
intensive use of fossil fuels, which is at the heart of the worldwide energy
system.
On dangers to the planet
If present trends continue, this century may well witness extraordinary
climate change and an unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious
consequences for all of us. A rise in the sea level, for example, can create
extremely serious situations, if we consider that a quarter of the world's
population lives on the coast or nearby, and that the majority of our
megacities are situated in coastal areas. Climate change is a global problem
with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the
distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing
humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing
countries in coming decades.
Doomsday predictions
can no longer be met with irony or disdain. We may well be leaving to coming
generations debris, desolation and filth. The pace of consumption, waste and
environmental change has so stretched the planet's capacity that our
contemporary lifestyle, unsustainable as it is, can only precipitate
catastrophes, such as those which even now periodically occur in different
areas of the world. The effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by
our decisive action, here and now. We need to reflect on our accountability
before those who will have to endure the dire consequences.
On consumption,
sustainable development and wealth disparity
We all know that it is not possible to sustain the present level of
consumption in developed countries and wealthier sectors of society where the
habit of wasting and discarding has reached unprecedented levels. The
exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still
have not solved the problem of poverty.
We fail to see that
some are mired in desperate and degrading poverty, with no way out, while
others have not the faintest idea of what to do with their possessions, vainly
showing off their supposed superiority and leaving behind them so much waste,
which, if it were the case everywhere, would destroy the planet. In practice,
we continue to tolerate that some consider themselves more human than others,
as if they had been born with greater rights.
On fossil fuels
There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few
years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be
drastically reduced - for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing
sources of renewable energy. Worldwide there is minimal access to clean and
renewable energy. There is still a need to develop adequate storage
technologies.
We know that
technology based on the use of highly-polluting fossil fuels - especially coal,
but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas - needs to be progressively replaced
without delay. Until greater progress is made in developing widely accessible
sources of renewable energy, it is legitimate to choose the lesser of two evils
or to find short-term solutions. But the international community has still not
reached adequate agreements about the responsibility for paying the costs of
this energy transition.
On political myopia and
bureaucratic inertia
Recent world summits on the environment have not lived up to
expectations because, due to lack of political will, they were unable to reach
truly meaningful and effective global agreements on the environment.
A politics
concerned with immediate results, supported by consumerist sectors of the
population, is driven to produce short-term growth. In response to electoral
interests, governments are reluctant to upset the public with measures, which
could affect the level of consumption or create risks for foreign investment.
The myopia of power politics delays the inclusion of a far-sighted
environmental agenda within the overall agenda of governments.
On market forces and
carbon credits
Once more, we need to reject a magical conception of the market, which
would suggest that problems can be solved simply by an increase in the profits
of companies or individuals. Is it realistic to hope that those who are
obsessed with maximising profits will stop to reflect on the environmental
damage which they will leave behind for future generations? Where profits alone
count, there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature, its phases of
decay and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which may be gravely
upset by human intervention.
The strategy of
buying and selling "carbon credits" can lead to a new form of
speculation, which would not help reduce the emission of polluting gases
worldwide. This system seems to provide a quick and easy solution under the
guise of a certain commitment to the environment, but in no way does it allow
for the radical change which present circumstances require. Rather, it may
simply become a ploy which permits maintaining the excessive consumption of
some countries and sectors.
On relationship between banks, environment and production
Saving banks at any cost, making the public pay the price, foregoing a
firm commitment to reviewing and reforming the entire system, only reaffirms
the absolute power of a financial system. A power which has no future and will
only give rise to new crises after a slow, costly and only apparent recovery.
The financial crisis of 2007-08 provided an opportunity to develop a new
economy, more attentive to ethical principles, and new ways of regulating
speculative financial practices and virtual wealth. But the response to the
crisis did not include rethinking the outdated criteria which continue to rule
the world.
Production is not always rational,
and is usually tied to economic variables which assign to products a value that
does not necessarily correspond to their real worth. This frequently leads to
an overproduction of some commodities, with unnecessary impact on the
environment and with negative results on regional economies.
The financial
bubble also tends to be a productive bubble. The problem of the real economy is
not confronted with vigour, yet it is the real economy which makes
diversification and improvement in production possible, helps companies to
function well, and enables small and medium businesses to develop and create
employment.
On effect of mining on the environment and local people
Underground water sources in many places are threatened by the pollution
produced in certain mining, farming and industrial activities, especially in
countries lacking adequate regulation or controls. It is not only a question of
industrial waste. Detergents and chemical products, commonly used in many
places of the world, continue to pour into our rivers, lakes and seas.
The export of raw materials to
satisfy markets in the industrialised north has caused harm locally, as for
example in mercury pollution in gold mining or sulphur dioxide pollution in
copper mining. There is a pressing need to calculate the use of environmental
space throughout the world for depositing gas residues which have been
accumulating for two centuries and have created a situation which currently
affects all the countries of the world.
In this sense, it
is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural
traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the
principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their
land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God
and from their ancestors who rest there - a sacred space with which they need
to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain
on their land, they themselves care for it best. Nevertheless, in various parts
of the world, pressure is being put on them to abandon their homelands to make
room for agricultural or mining projects which are undertaken without regard
for the degradation of nature and culture.
On public pressure on companies and boycotts
A change in
lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political,
economic and social power. This is what consumer movements accomplish by
boycotting certain products. They prove successful in changing the way
businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and
their patterns of production. When social pressure affects their earnings,
businesses clearly have to find ways to produce differently. This shows us the
great need for a sense of social responsibility on the part of consumers. "
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The full document is about 82 pages and if interested in the environment is essential reading, covering ethical issues about the environment and how it has influenced social and moral issues.
I am sure it will not be forgotten as ordinary citizens, scientists and politicians pore over the document in the coming weeks and months.
The Pope carries a bit of clout, and the document and various extracts will be widely read .......worldwide.
Will it influence the world's politicians? Early days, but the US President has reacted positively to the material.
Lets hope that a decent outcome can be achieved later in 2015 at the climate summit in Paris. The Pope seems to believe that significant change is needed..........for the world and us.
