VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis issued a stern call to action on Wednesday, urging world leaders to commit to binding targets to combat climate change before it reaches an irreversible “point of no return.” In an updated version of his landmark 2015 encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis heightened his alarm about the ongoing and devastating effects of climate change, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the world’s poor and vulnerable populations.
“We are now unable to halt the enormous damage we have caused. We barely have time to prevent even more tragic damage,” warned Pope Francis, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The Pope singled out the United States for its high per-capita emissions, which are double those of China and seven times greater than the average in poor countries. While recognizing individual and household efforts, he emphasized the need for a profound shift away from the Western model of an “irresponsible lifestyle” that contributes to climate change.
Released on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the document, titled “Praise God,” is aimed at spurring negotiators to commit to binding climate targets at the upcoming round of U.N. talks in Dubai. Pope Francis expressed strong support for phasing out coal, oil, and natural gas as quickly as possible in favor of clean energy sources like wind and solar power.
He argued that the transition to clean energy must be swift and comprehensive, emphasizing measures that are “efficient, obligatory, and readily monitored.” Pope Francis framed this transition as a moral imperative, urging humanity to take responsibility for the legacy it leaves behind.
Pope Francis’ original 2015 encyclical, “Praise Be,” was a groundbreaking moment for the Catholic Church as it recast the climate debate in moral terms. In this new document, Pope Francis reiterated the need for urgent action and challenged climate change deniers, asserting that “it is no longer possible to doubt the human – ‘anthropic’ – origin of climate change.”
While acknowledging that not all predictions of apocalyptic consequences are grounded in science, Pope Francis emphasized that inaction is no longer an option. The world is already witnessing irreversible harm to biodiversity and species loss, with the potential for cascading effects that could become unstoppable.
“Praise God” was released ahead of the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Dubai, with Pope Francis aiming to inspire world leaders to make courageous decisions. He noted that the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets are likely to be exceeded, warning of disastrous consequences unless immediate and substantial measures are taken.
Since 2015, global carbon emissions have continued to rise, contributing to the warming of the planet. The Pope called for a mandatory shift in global energy production and asked negotiators to prioritize the common good and the future of generations over short-term interests.
In his closing remarks, Pope Francis called upon the United States to do better in reducing emissions, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the climate crisis. “Praise God” serves as a passionate plea for world leaders to act decisively before it’s too late to save our planet from catastrophic climate change.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
