Can you cut 1 Tonne of carbon pollution out of your life?
Take the challengeThe internet just exploded with Pope Francis' encyclical calling for urgent and immediate action on climate change.
In his long-awaited encyclical on the environment and climate change, Pope Francis has called for swift action to save the planet from environmental ruin.
The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.- an extract from Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si
Called Laudato Sii, or "Praised Be", this encyclical reaffirms the papal commitment to take action to combat the truly global impacts of climate change. That said, unlike previous encyclicals, today's announcement is addressed to everyone, regardless of faith.
We are all called to listen.
The Vatican's stance couldn't be clearer: climate change impacts us all, especially the poor.
"The warming caused by huge consumption on the part of some rich countries has repercussions on the poorest areas of the world, especially Africa, where a rise in temperature, together with drought, has proved devastating for farming."
Pope Francis has called specifically for political and lifestyle alterations to combat climate change, which resonates deeply with our 1 Million Women message.
HUMANITY IS CALLED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE NEED FOR CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE AND CHANGES IN METHODS OF PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION TO COMBAT THIS WARMING, OR AT LEAST THE HUMAN CAUSES THAT PRODUCE AND ACCENTUATE IT.- Pope Francis wrote
He reminds us that climate change is first and foremost about people, and emphasises the changes we need to make as 'urgent and compelling' - the sooner we can start living low carbon lifestyles and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, the easier it will be to care for the future.
Need a primer on what an encyclical is? Here's a good one from ArchToronto.
The Pope's encyclical has the potential to shift the conversation on climate change worldwide, especially before the Paris climate negotiations at the end of this year.
The U.N.'s top climate official, Christiana Figueres (UNFCCC), says the pope's encyclical is a "clarion call" that should guide world leaders to a "strong and durable" climate agreement in Paris at the end of the year. "Coupled with the economic imperative, the moral imperative leaves no doubt that we must act on climate change now."
Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel and Kofi Annan Foundation, also hopes the encyclical will contribute to a strong agreement in Paris:
As Pope Francis reaffirms, climate change is an all-encompassing threat: it is a threat to our security, our health, and our sources of fresh water and food... I applaud the Pope for his strong moral and ethical leadership. We need more of such inspired leadership. Will we see it at the climate summit in Paris?- Kofi Annan
The encyclical is an historic, faith-led call to action for millions to stand together against climate change — a moral issue we can't ignore.
Let's all stand with the Pope for the Planet! The more united voices, the bolder we'll make the case for our home, our planet, and our future.
