Washington, D.C. — Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden issued the following statement today in support of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical calling on the world to address the threat of climate change:
Today, Pope Francis offered a broad vision for humanity’s shared moral obligation to respond urgently to climate change. In his encyclical, Pope Francis speaks eloquently of the need to protect what he calls our common home—a home that belongs not only to Catholics but to people of all faiths and cultures. Although no one is immune to the impacts of climate change, Pope Francis reminds us that the world’s poor will feel these impacts most acutely and will have the least capacity to adapt or cope. The pope’s message serves as a global call for action to preserve the environment for future generations and protect those most vulnerable from the impacts of a changing climate. We hope that all who seek to call themselves leaders respond to his call for action.
The encyclical—a papal document meant to clarify theological questions or church doctrine and one of the highest forms of official teaching a pope can issue—emphasizes the moral obligation the world has to address climate change and the disparate impacts that the effects of climate change will have on poor and vulnerable people.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at [email protected] or 202.481.7141.
###