Vatican envoy tells UN: climate change, poverty are inseparable challenges
August 05, 2015
As the UN Security Council discussed challenges facing small island nations, the Holy See’s envoy emphasized that “my delegation sees concern for climate change as inseparable from concern for human development.”
“Environmental care and poverty alleviation are not separate challenges, but parts of one and the same challenge of providing an integral and authentic human development,” said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN. “Thus, our care for the earth should be much more than a ‘green’ attitude; it must also be a social one, because we human beings are a part of nature, included in it and in constant interaction with it.”
“My delegation wishes to mention briefly three areas where we can make a difference in the next few months,” he continued. “First, by achieving a deal in Paris to combat climate change … Second, by allocating sufficient financial resources to tackle climate change and to respond to current needs … Third, by increasing access to renewable energy as an enabler of sustainable development.”
“Billions of people need access to energy to lift them out of poverty,” Archbishop Auza added. “Billions, particularly women and girls, suffer the terrible health impacts of cooking with polluting fuels. Most live in areas not connected to the grid and can most easily be reached by off-grid, mostly renewable energy. Richer countries must help poorer countries develop less polluting forms of energy production by giving them greater access to technology and financial resources.”
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Further information:
- Intervention of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Peace and Security Challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS)” (Holy See Mission)
- Issues Facing Small Island Developing States ‘Global Challenges’ Demanding Collective Responsibility, Secretary-General Tells Security Council (United Nations)
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