Opinion: A Climate Justice Exhortation from Pope Francis

Love, Justice and Climate Change

In early October, Pope Francis, issued a new papal “exhortation” to the world on climate change. Back in 2015 the Pope wrote a major encyclical subtitled “On Care For Our Common Home,” providing an important voice of support for increased, broad climate action. It was widely applauded and had some good effect. The Pope’s new letter is even more direct, more urgent, and is, as one commentator noted, “an altogether different sort of papal rhetoric — equal parts exasperated, accusatory, and prescriptive.”

The Pope reveals a quite deep understanding of current climate science and of our present situation. Speaking of actions taken so far to address climate change, he writes “I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”  He quotes the U.S. Conference of Bishops, “our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together. Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community. The effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people, whether at home or around the world”.

He has some pointed words about lifestyles in the United States and other wealthy western nations:

“If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries, we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact. As a result, along with indispensable political decisions, we would be making progress along the way to genuine care for one another.”

For the upcoming COP 28 to be held in Dubai he offers the following prayerful words:

“May those taking part in the Conference be strategists capable of considering the common good and the future of their children, more than the short-term interests of certain countries or businesses. In this way, may they demonstrate the nobility of politics and not its shame. To the powerful, I can only repeat this question: “What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power, only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?”

The Pope expresses support for climate activists, calls for accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and warns against over-reliance on other technological fixes (eg. carbon capture).

Many climate campaigners responded appreciatively to the Pope’s recent letter.  Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and longtime activist said that Pope Francis “may be the world’s most useful environmentalist.”  McKibben also said something I found very interesting about the role of the Pope and other spiritual leaders in addressing the climate crisis: “The work of spiritual leaders around the world may be our best chance of getting hold of things. Yes, the engineers have done their job. Yes, the scientists have done their job. But it’s high time for the human heart to do its job. That’s what we need this leadership for.”

May your heart guide your climate action and sometimes encourage you to  take leadership.

Russ Vernon-Jones was principal of Fort River School 1990-2008 and is currently a member of the Steering Committee of Climate Action Now-Western Massachusetts. He blogs regularly on climate justice at www.russvernonjones.org.