Reuters reports (via the New York Times that Pope Benedict has urged world leaders to do something about global warming before it is too late. The Pope said: “A decisive ‘yes’ is needed in decisions to safeguard creation as well as a strong commitment to reverse tendencies that risk leading to irreversible situations of degradation.”
He went on to say that “New generations will be entrusted with the future of the planet, which bears clear signs of a type of development that has not always protected nature’s delicate equilibriums” and that “”Courageous choices that can re-create a strong alliance between man and earth must be made before it is too late.”
The author of the article rightfully points out that the Vatican has become increasingly ‘green’ under the leadership of Pope John first, and Pope Benedict now. Pope Benedict seems to know a lot about this issue and seems to believe it should be a priority for him and the Church.
He is, of course, quite right.
I am one of those people who believe that global warming is real, and that we are slowly but surely destroying the planet we live on and on which we are dependent. I agree with the Pope that something should be done. On the other hand, I also believe that the entire controversy or spectacle surrounding global warming / the environment at this moment is not productive. We have to look at this issue seriously, but we should not automatically dismiss everything critics say. For one thing, we should fight global warming, but we should try to do so with the least damage to our economies possible. Perhaps we will suffer economically in the short run – which is not a problem if doing so means that we save the planet of course – but we should try to limit the economical damage.
Another thing I find frustrating about the global warming debate is that Europe is willing to act – and we are already acting – but that the biggest spoilers or poluters of the world (America and China) seem to see things differently. As I understand it, China is working on this issue, mainly because China has turned into one big cloud of fog. In the US, meanwhile, a lot is said about global warming, but little is done. Of course, Europe should act in its own interest and even in the interest of the rest of the world even if others do not, but as long as America and China do not follow suit, whatever we do will not have the necessary impact.
It is good to see that the Church takes the leadrole on this issue. The Church should not keep silent; the earth is God’s creation, and it seems logical that the Church does her utmost best to preserve it.
PAST CONTRIBUTOR.