Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin took to the COP28 podium on the second day of the climate summit of heads of state to deliver Francis’ message. A compelling demonstration that combines the protection of creation and science to promote decision-making in favor of renewable energy development, support education for sustainable lifestyles and the elimination of fossil fuels.
Marine Henriot – Special Envoy to Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“Unfortunately I cannot be with you as I would have liked, but I am with you because the time is serious.” This is how the speech of the one who should have been the first Pope to attend a COP begins International United Nations Conference on Climate Change. This year it will take place from Thursday, November 30th to Tuesday, December 12th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
On the advice of doctors, the Pope had to cancel his visit. This Saturday, December 2, it was the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, who delivered Francis’ speech to an audience of heads of state and government in the vast anthill of the COP, which welcomes 97,000 people. 140 people are taking part in the climate summit, which will take place on Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd.
The destruction of creation, a sin
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Francis has tried to show that destroying creation is a sin. His speech in Dubai began with this point:
“I am on your side because the destruction of creation is an insult to God, not only a personal sin, but also a structural sin that affects humanity, especially the most vulnerable, a serious danger that burdens each and every one of us. There is a risk that conflicts will arise between generations.”
Noting that climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions of human origin, the Pope denounces, in his words, a “will to produce and to possess.” [qui] became an obsession and led to boundless greed, which made the environment the subject of rampant exploitation.
Obstacles on the way to a sustainable path
He wanted to go to COP28 in Dubai, but his doctors advised him against it because of pneumonia. For the first time a sovereign pontiff would have…
François continued his demonstration, listing the obstacles that keep decision makers on a path that is not sustainable for the ecosystem.
First, the fact that protecting income takes precedence and is “sometimes justified on the basis of what others have done in the past, with regular references to responsibility.”
Then there are attempts to shift responsibility “onto the many poor people and the number of births.” A made-up argument, however often used and refuted by Francis: “It is not the fault of the poor, since almost half of the world, the poorest, are responsible for barely 10% of pollutant emissions, while the gap between the few.” The relationship between the rich and the many poor has never been so catastrophic.
The full text of the Holy Father’s intervention at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, read out on December 2 in Dubai by the Foreign Minister of…
The poorest are those who emit the least greenhouse gases, but are still the first victims. “Let us think of the indigenous population, deforestation, the tragedy of hunger, water and food insecurity and the induced migration flows,” added François, recalling that births are not a problem but a resource. Therefore, the issue of debt relief, as the Holy See has been calling for for many years, is essential. “Appropriate means should be found to eliminate the financial debts that burden various peoples, including with regard to the ecological debts to which they are entitled.”
Multilateralism as a way out
Addressing policymakers who might be tempted to neglect the power of multilateralism, Francis reminded that it is also key in the fight against climate change.
“In this sense, it is worrying that global warming is accompanied by a general cooling of multilateralism and a growing distrust of the international community.”
A reconstruction of multilateralism is also essential for peace: “How much energy is humanity wasting in so many ongoing wars, for example in Israel and Palestine, in Ukraine and in many other parts of the world: conflicts that do not solve the problems, but will solve.” Increase them! How many resources are wasted on armaments that destroy lives and ruin the common home!”, started Cardinal Parolin, endorsing Francis’ words before reiterating his call to transform the funds allocated for weapons into a global fund to fight hunger.
This COP must be a turning point
The step is already historic. Pope Francis travels to Dubai for his 45th apostolic journey, dedicated entirely to COP28. The United Nations Conference on…
The publication of Laudate Deum a few weeks before the start of this COP28 is an encouragement and warning to decision-makers: “This COP is intended to be a turning point: let it demonstrate a clear and tangible political will that will lead to a decisive acceleration of the ecological transition”.
In a COP28 that is already exceptional and intended to be historic, the Holy See proposes the development of four pillars to escape the self-destructive spiral in which humanity has fallen: energy efficiency, renewable sources, the abolition of fossil fuels and education for Lifestyles that are less dependent on them.
Even 800 years after its creation, the song of the creatures of Saint Francis of Assisi must remain a source of inspiration for humanity: “After that night of battle, borne by a spiritual experience in his soul, he wanted to praise the Most High for these creatures , whom he could no longer see, but whom he felt were his brothers and sisters because they came from the same father and shared them with other men and women.”
“And let us, with God’s help, emerge from the night of wars and environmental destruction to transform our common future into a morning of light,” Francis’ message concludes to applause from the COP28 plenary.
The United Nations Conference on Climate Change begins this Thursday, November 30, in Dubai. Representatives and delegations from 198 countries met for a dozen days…