Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) – Today marks the opening of the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, in Bolivia, and already as of last Saturday, the number of people registered had exceeded 18,000, according to information from Chancellor David Choquehuanca, and it is estimated that a total of up to 20,000 visitors will arrive. This means that the first act has been moved from the Tiquipaya Town Hall to the Stadium. Present at the Conference of Peoples will be the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), leading international organizations like the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Andean Community, and others. Discussions of all working groups will form the basis of the final document of the conference, which will be taken to the 16th Conference on Climate Change (COP16), to be held in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10 this year.
Archbishop Tito Solari of Cochabamba wrote a short note on the event, which was sent to Fides. The event gathers more than 18,000 people from 32 African countries, 33 European nations, 21 Asian countries, 18 countries of Central America, 12 in South America, 10 countries in Oceania, and 3 countries in North America. In this note, the Archbishop recalled that Cochabamba has the privilege to participate in a debate on environment, climate, soil, water, i.e. nature, and that the Church, in Vatican Council II, more than 40 years ago now, affirmed that God intended the earth for the use of men and peoples. Even 20 years ago, Pope John Paul II warned us that peace (and life) is threatened by a lack of respect for nature. Pope Benedict XVI has also insisted that "creation is the beginning and foundation of all the works of God. Thus, we must strengthen the alliance between mankind and the environment, which must reflect the creative love of God." “The Church shares in the responsibility for creation and feels the need to carry this out in the public sphere, to defend the land, water, and air as gifts of God, created for everyone, and especially to protect man from the danger of destroying himself," said Archbishop Solari. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2010)
