Celebrate Public Policies that Support Climate Justice

Note: The following information was provided to our Climate Change Task Force.

In the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians proclaimed in today’s liturgy, we are urged, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his/her own interests, but also for those of others. Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.”

Pope Francis names the clear necessity to have this “same attitude” as we pursue the work of justice in legislating public policies:

“For the mighty river to continue flowing, we must transform the public policies that govern our societies and shape the lives of young people today and tomorrow. Economic policies that promote scandalous wealth for a privileged few and degrading conditions for many others, spell the end of peace and justice. It is clear that the richer nations have contracted an ‘ecological debt’ that must be paid (cf. Laudato Si’, 51). The world leaders, who will gather for the COP28 summit in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 must listen to science and institute a rapid and equitable transition to end the era of fossil fuels. According to the commitments undertaken in the Paris Agreement to restrain global warming. It is absurd to permit the continued exploration and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructures. Let us raise our voices to halt this injustice towards the poor and towards our children, who will bear the worst effects of climate change. I appeal to all people of good will to act in conformity with these perspectives on society and nature.” (Message of Pope Francis for Creation Day 2023).