The Pope has called out “Irresponsible” Americans for using double the emissions than citizens of China, even calling out members of his own church for being climate crisis deniers.
The Pontiff’s Strong Words on Climate Crisis
Pope Francis unreservedly addressed the pressing issue of the accelerating climate crisis, presenting a call to action and blaming “irresponsible” Western lifestyles.
A World on the Verge of Collapse
He sounded the alarm, shunning the inadequacy of our responses as our world grapples with impending collapse, “Our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
The Point of No Return
Revealing harsh realities, the Pope argued the irreversible consequences, including rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
Pope Francis Confronts Climate Denial
The Pope confronted climate change deniers and delayers, urging acknowledgment of the undeniable signs of this global crisis, “Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident,” he said.
Brace for Impact
He stressed the urgent need to address climate change to avoid its worst impacts, “No one can ignore the fact that in recent years we have witnessed extreme weather phenomena, frequent periods of unusual heat, drought and other cries of protest,” he continued.
China’s Low Emissions Compared to the US
Pope Francis argued that China’s individuals use less emissions than the average American, “emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries.”
The Rich and the Guilty
Pope Francis put the responsibility on wealthy nations to alleviate the climate crisis, demanding a lifestyle shift, “a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact.”
Profits Over Planet
He condemned leaders and businesses prioritizing short-term gains over essential climate action, “the climate crisis is not exactly a matter that interests the great economic powers, whose concern is with the greatest profit possible at minimal cost and in the shortest amount of time.”
Pope Calls Out His Own Church
Even within his own ranks, the Pope confronted dismissive opinions about the climate crisis, “certain dismissive and scarcely reasonable opinions that I encounter, even within the Catholic Church.”
Inspiring a Generation
The Pope’s influence on the older generation could spark a change of tune from religious believers who have been in denial.
UN COP28 Climate Conference Approaches
With the UN COP28 climate conference looming, Pope Francis’s statement amplifies the urgency for worldwide collective action.
Countries to Prove Their Commitment
At the conference, held in Dubai, each country will have the opportunity to display their commitment to the cause.
Building on His Legacy
In 2015, Pope Francis became the first Ponfit to ever produce a piece of religious writing on an issue such as climate change.
The post Pope Slams Americans as “Irresponsible” for Using Double the Emissions of China first appeared on The Public Slate.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / GYG Studio. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.