POPE Benedict XVI, speaking to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square, before an international climate change conference, expressed the hope that “all members of the international community might reach agreement on a responsible, credible response” to the phenomenon of climate change, which he described as “complex” and “disturbing”.
He also asked that leaders’ response be consonant with the spirit and requirements of solidarity, taking into account the needs of the poorest people and future generations.
It disturbs me that so many Australians, including many Catholics, are doing little or nothing to combat climate change. We are the biggest per capita carbon emitters in the world.
The United Nations World Health Organisation estimates that 150,000 people are dying annually from the effects of climate change, and another 5 million are suffering from serious illnesses.
The annual death rate from these effects is expected to rise to 1 million by 2030.
The island nation of Kiribati is an example of one nation that will disappear beneath the rising waters of the Pacific Ocean.
If you really want to be properly informed on the science of climate change, go to the Australian Academy of Science – Climate Change website and download a copy of their informative booklet.
I appeal to Catholics to be in solidarity with Pope Benedict on climate change by being properly informed with the science, by taking credible action to reduce carbon emissions, and by doing everything possible to reduce the disturbing effects of escalating climate change on the people of the world, including the people of Kiribati.
The poor nations of the world, the least polluting nations, will be the most severely affected.
Can we contribute to escalating climate change and still call ourselves Christians, or Catholics?
I’d love to hear more from other leaders of our Church.
The prophetic voices I hear on the climate change issue are largely environmentalists, not our Catholic Church lay or religious leaders.
If you don’t set a lead, by word and example, on the reduction of climate change, you are not a credible, responsible leader of the faithful on one of the greatest moral issues at this time in history.
GRANT ALLEN
Sunshine Coast, Qld
