Climate Change
World leaders gathered over the past two weeks in Egypt for COP 27, the United Nations Conference of the Parties on climate change. They will also gather in Canada in December for the Conference of the Parties on biodiversity (COP 15).
In his message for the 2022 World Day of Prayer for Care and Creation, Pope Francis urged world leaders to commit to ambitious plans at the COP 27 to achieve the goal of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He also urged leaders gathering at the COP 15 to make new multilateral agreements to halt the alarming increases in destruction of ecosystems and extinction of species.
The Holy Father reminds us that the Gospel calls us to repentance, to a new relationship with God and a different relationship with others and with all of creation. This conversion of heart will lead us to take action personally, but also communally to care for our common home.
These two meetings present another opportunity for world leaders to agree on actions which will address the twin crises of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
They also present us with an opportunity as people of faith to join with others in calling for effective action to deal with these immense ecological crises.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace has produced a new Information Sheet on COP 27 and COP 15. For more information: https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2022/11/10/cops-docs/