‘Put an end to the fossil fuel era,’ say bishops at climate conference
December 12, 2014
A group of bishops attending an international climate-change conference in Peru called upon the international community “to keep the global temperature increase below 1.5 degree Celsius, relative to pre-industrial levels, in order to protect frontline communities suffering from the impacts of climate change.”
“Central to this is to put an end to the fossil fuel era, phasing out fossil fuel emissions and phasing in 100% renewables with sustainable energy access for all,” the bishops said.
The nine bishops include representatives of the Latin American Bishops Conference (CELAM), the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), and the French and Brazilian bishops’ conferences.
“We express an answer to what is considered God’s appeal to take action on the urgent and damaging situation of global climate warming,” the bishops stated.
“The main responsibility for this situation lies with the dominant global economic system, which is a human creation,” they added. “In viewing objectively the destructive effects of a financial and economic order based on the primacy of the market and profit, which has failed to put the human being and the common good at the heart of the economy, one must recognize the systemic failures of this order and the need for a new financial and economic order.”
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Further information:
- Catholic Bishops’ statement in Lima on the road to Paris (CIDSE)
- Global group of Catholic bishops call for end to fossil fuels (BBC)
- Papal message on climate change (CWN, 12/11)
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Posted by: 1Jn416 -
Dec. 12, 2014 11:35 AM ET USA
I'm not someone who believes that bishops should refrain from commenting on issues not directly related to the faith. However, I do wish that when they comment on secular/scientific/governmental issues, that they would express some acknowledgement of the complexity of the matter. "Get rid of nukes." "Stop global warming." It really is not that simple, and if the bishops acknowledged that it would increase their credibility in these matters.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Dec. 12, 2014 8:00 AM ET USA
Did the Bishops fly to the conference or drive? When they give up their cars, I'll consider giving up mine. Those of us who work for a living are playing the cards we have been dealt. For most modern-day Americans, living above the poverty line requires commuting. Telling us not to burn gas is the same as telling us to be poor. When the global-warming scaremongers practice what they preach, I'll consider following their lead. But I doubt they ever will, because their real aim is gaining control.
