Some may find their way downtown amidst the chaos for an unforgettable Snapchat story.
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In a commentary in the journal Nature Climate Change, Paul Ehrlich, a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, argues that Pope Francis is simply wrong in trying to fight climate change without also addressing the additional strain on global resources from population rise. In both nations Pope Francis was able to demonstrate though his words and writing that social justice and equity require a compatible moral response from the world, when it comes to climate change.
The pontiff, in the midst of a historic visit to the United States, expressed solidarity Wednesday with President Barack Obama about the need to act to prevent global warming, and said climate change is “a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation”. “It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day”. There are ethical issues about reporting the data, but by and large, religion plays no role in establishing the science of climate change.
Symons also points out that now there are Republican businessmen like Jay Faison popping up to push for action on climate change through his Clear Path Foundation.
“Climate change is a global problem with grave implications …”
When Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress today, he will speak directly to many politicians, including some presidential candidates, who are not welcoming of his message about climate change and economic inequality.
The Pope is an immigrant, so yes, people love him and they will listen to what he has to say. Climate change threatens every place on our planet, from majestic landscapes to ordinary city streets. “‘Those people in the environmental movement, let them take care of it.’ No, it’s our responsibility because it is our common home, and all of those in this country have the moral responsibility to get involved”.
A poll from New York University’s Institute for Policy Integrity conducted a full five years ago, found that 94 percent of economists believe the United States should join global agreements to limit climate change. Therefore, the issue of poverty and poor quality of life in the developing world go hand in hand with the issue of climate change. In his message to lawmakers, the pope called on leaders to stand up for society’s most vulnerable. Hopefully, his appearances in Washington and Philadelphia will motivate some of the more than 3 million Pennsylvania Catholics to start engaging in “a healthy relationship with creation”. His actions have helped to bridge the gap between the two sides of the climate change argument. While he is here, feel the positive energy from the crowd of people all coming together to support his message. ZACH RISSMAN is a College freshman studying BBB.
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I can see the Catholic community beginning to preach an environmentally friendly lifestyle to preserve the purity of life forms on Gods’ green earth. ANGELA ZHANG is a Wharton junior studying finance, OPIM and environmental policy and management.
