VATICAN - Stronger partnership on Climate Change between the United Kingdom and the Vatican

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In his address at the international Conference on Climate Change and Development (see Fides 24/4/2007) organised by the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Cardinal Renato Martino which opened today 26 April Hon David Miliband, British minister for the environment, food and rural affairs said: “Climate change cannot be solved by governments or businesses alone. We must succeed in mobilising the citizens of the world. Religious groups are playing an increasingly vital role to help the world face the challenge of climate change.”
“The Vatican's attention for climate change - said Miliband - is enormously significant for the rest of the world. The phenomenon raises ethical questions on the balance of responsibility between generations, between rich countries and poor. Religious groups can help us develop a moral and ethical basis for international action.”
The Minister hopes the conference will lead to closer commitment between the United Kingdom and the Vatican with regard to climate change. Global warming is no longer only a problem of environment. It is also a problem of development and security.
Last week the United Nations Security Council discussed the phenomenon's possible consequences, in particular scarcity of resources, on human security. This is a global problem which calls for a global response. (AP) (26/4/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:23; Parole:244)