VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that the world is on the brink of collapse due to global warming and urging participants of the upcoming COP28 climate talks to adopt binding policies on phasing out fossil fuels.
In a follow-up to his 2015 landmark thesis, the 86-year-old pontiff emphasized that some of the damage caused by manmade climate change is “already irreversible”.
In a 12-page letter, Pope Francis expressed deep concern about the ongoing climate crisis. He noted that despite global efforts, the responses to climate change have been inadequate, and the world is inching closer to a breaking point. He specifically called on participants of the UN climate talks scheduled to commence in Dubai on November 30 to embrace binding agreements aimed at transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources like wind and solar power.
The Pope emphasized that a genuine commitment to change is crucial and can help restore credibility to international politics. He acknowledged the existence of individuals, even within the Church, who hold “dismissive and scarcely reasonable opinions” about climate change. However, he stressed that the signs of climate change are undeniable and increasingly evident.
Pope Francis Hopes COP28 Will Accelerate Energy Transition
Pope Francis expressed hope that COP28 would accelerate the energy transition, urging participants to make effective commitments subject to continuous monitoring. He also emphasized the need to hold world leaders and industry giants accountable for their actions in combating the climate crisis.
Climate change has been a central theme during Pope Francis’ tenure as the leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. He has consistently highlighted the moral imperative to address climate change and has advocated for urgent action to protect the environment. In his latest message, he criticized the great economic powers for prioritizing profit over environmental conservation and called for a shift in the irresponsible lifestyles of wealthy nations.
