Pope Francis is creating a seismic shift in how the Catholic Church talks about climate change. While both John Paul II and Benedict XVI made reference to climate change in passing, Francis is planning an entire encyclical on environmental questions, which is expected to be released later this year. It is not difficult to predict that climate change will be on top of his agenda.
This will be a timely intervention by the Pope as Australia is rapidly retreating from its small gains in carbon pollution reduction. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has not only promised to cancel any pricing mechanism on carbon, he is dismantling anything that resembles government investment in renewable energy production.
In his recent speech to the Minerals Council of Australia he argued that it is 'particularly important that we do not demonise the coal industry', adding that the Government wants to keep mining strong because 'it is our destiny in this country to bring affordable energy to the world'.
Significantly the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has just taken steps to align itself with US federal government action on climate change. It has written a letter to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressing the issue, and making the link between carbon emissions and climate change.
Noting the EPA's 'efforts to develop standards to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants and thereby mitigate climate change', it says:
The USCCB recognises the importance of finding means to reduce carbon pollution. These standards should protect the health and welfare of all people, especially children, the elderly ... poor and vulnerable communities, from harmful pollution emitted from power plants and from the impacts of climate change.
While acknowledging that they are not 'experts on carbon pollution or on the technical remedies to address climate change', they do speak as pastors, recalling Francis' call that 'Creation ... is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.'
It notes that coal-fired power plants have often been located near low-income neighborhoods and 'communities of color' and that 'air pollution from these plants contributes to respiratory problems, especially in the young and the elderly'. It highlights the 'damaging impacts from climate-related events in the United States and across the globe, particularly on poor and vulnerable communities'. Internationally it notes that:
the communities served by Catholic Relief Services (CRS)