Pope Francis has urged governments around the world to take action against global warming, warning that climate change could turn the Earth into a pile of “only rubble, deserts, and refuse.”
The pope, who will visit Ireland for two days in August, was speaking at a Vatican conference, marking the third anniversary of his environmental encyclical, “Praise Be,” affirming the church’s stance on climate change ahead of the 2015 Paris climate conference.
“There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts and refuse,” Pope Francis said at the Vatican conference on Friday.
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The pope all urged governments to honor the commitments made in the Paris climate accord to curb global greenhouse gas emissions, through individual non-binding national plans, The Hill reports.
#PopeFrancis speaks to participants in a conference on his encyclical #Laudatosi', saying “There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts, and refuse.” https://t.co/l7B3QgO1UG
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) July 6, 2018
The pope also expressed hope that “concern for the state of our common home” would be translated into concrete actions to preserve the environment.
The conference was the latest in a series of Vatican initiatives meant to convey a sense of urgency about global warming.
Last month, the pope warned oil executives about the dangers of climate change.
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“Civilization requires energy but energy use must not destroy civilization,” Francis said.
Pope Francis will visit Ireland on August 25 and 26. It will be the first Papal visit to Ireland since Pope John Paul II toured the country in 1979.
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