VATICAN - Appeal from the 5 continents: "The fight against climate change must respect the rights of the poor"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The climate change issue is deeply linked to social justice and the fight against poverty, so we need to redefine the notions of "growth" and "progress" to reach lifestyles which respect environment and are capable of guaranteeing the rights of the poorest. This is what was expressed by Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania in an appeal to the participants in the "COP21", the 21st Conference on Climate Change to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December.
In the document, sent to Agenzia Fides, the religious leaders of the 5 continents propose 10 points to be respected in order to combine respect for the environment with the need to provide decent living conditions for the poor. Among the ten points there is the need: to keep in mind not only the technical but particularly the ethical and moral dimensions of climate change; to accept that climate and atmosphere are global common goods that are belonging to all and meant for all; to adopt a fair, transformational and legally binding global agreement based on our vision of the world that recognises the need to live in harmony with nature, and to guarantee the fulfilment of human rights for all, including those of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and workers; to strongly limit a global temperature increase and to set a goal for complete decarbonisation by mid-century, in order to protect frontline communities suffering from the impacts of climate change, such as those in the Pacific Islands and in coastal regions; to ensure inclusion and participation of the poorest, most vulnerable and impacted at all levels of the decision-making process. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2015)

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