Pope Francis sends a video message to participants in the UN Virtual Climate Summit, highlighting Holy See’s efforts to promote a “culture of care” to combat climate change.
Written by Devin Watkins
“The effects of the current epidemic and climate change, which apply not only to the environment, but also to the fields of ethics, society, economy and politics, weigh heavily on the lives of the poor and vulnerable.”
In a video message sent on Saturday, Pope Francis gave the impetus to the Holy See’s commitment to combating climate change.
His remarks were made to the participants of the UN High Level Virtual Climate Ambition Summit held on Saturday 12 December.Th 2015 marks the end of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The event sought to urge national governments to respect their role in reducing CO2 emissions and controlling global warming.
Efforts of the Vatican City State
In his video message, Pope Francis expressed his support for efforts to move towards net-zero emissions, and described the actions of the Holy See in this regard, which takes place on two different levels.
Vatican City State, the pope says, is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The Vatican seeks to maintain the environment by reducing its water and electricity use and using strategies to promote energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, deforestation and waste recycling.
Educational Initiatives of the Holy See
According to Pope Francis, the Holy See also seeks to educate people in an integrated environment.
“Politics and technology must unite behind an educational process that supports the development of a cultural model and fraternity-centered sustainability and the alliance between human beings and the environment.”
With this goal in mind, the Pope said he had set up a global treaty on education to help Catholic schools and universities promote a holistic education.
He noted that more than 70 million students attend Catholic schools and universities.
Partition economy
Another initiative promoted by Pope Francis Francesco’s Economy, Which helps young economists, entrepreneurs and change makers work together to create a better future.
He said they were promoting new avenues that would “promote sustainable production methods by taking care of shared goods at the center of national and international politics and sharing relevant advanced technologies, even in less developed countries.”
Hope to have a better future
Pope Francis ended his video message with the impetus to seize this moment for world leaders involved in the fight against the climate crisis.
“The time has come to change direction,” he said. “Do not rob the younger generation of hope for a better future.”