Today, we're diving into the latest episode of "Pope Francis Knows Best: Climate Edition."
Pope Francis has once again declared that the world is on the brink of collapse due to climate change, and to fix the problem, the Vatican will be hosting a 3-day summit this week, titled "From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience" for "bending the curve and bouncing forward to climate resilience."
Eight years have passed since I published the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si', when I wanted to share with all of you, my brothers and sisters of our suffering planet, my heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home. Yet, with the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point. In addition to this possibility, it is indubitable that the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations, etc.
Translation: It's time to ratchet up the climate policy!
This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life. The Bishops of the United States have expressed very well this social meaning of our concern about climate change, which goes beyond a merely ecological approach, because 'our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together. Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community.
The effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people, whether at home or around the world'. In a few words, the Bishops assembled for the Synod for Amazonia said the same thing: 'Attacks on nature have consequences for people's lives'. And to express bluntly that this is no longer a secondary or ideological question, but a drama that harms us all, the African bishops stated that climate change makes manifest 'a tragic and striking example of structural sin'.
Because it's impossible to fight climate change without an onslaught of private flights, the summit will be attended by American political elite, including the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom (6,275 miles each way), New York Governor, Kathy Hochul (4,293 miles each way), and Boston Mayor, Michelle Wu (4,108 miles each way), let alone representatives from across the world.
Session 7 on Day 2 will be particularly busy for the private plane industry, with representatives from Paris, Valencia, Yokohama, Athens, Cologne, Sao Paulo, Bologna, Florence, Taiwan, Catamarca, Bolzano, and Milano in attendance.
Haven't they heard of Zoom?
The irony is apparently lost on many of these political elite, who couldn't jump onto a plane fast enough.
What makes matters worse is that Pope Francis has singled out the United States and our "irresponsible lifestyle" for the so-called climate emergency.
Note: Pope Francis has traveled to the following countries since 2013:
[Deep Breath]
Brazil, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank, South Korea, Albania, France, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Cuba, United States of America, Kenya, Uganda, Central African Republic, Cuba again, Mexico, Greece, Armenia, Poland, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Egypt, Portugal, Colombia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Panama, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Thailand, Japan, Iraq, Hungary, Slovakia, Malta, Canada, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Hungary again, Portugal again, Mongolia, and France again.
But make sure you recycle your cans!
Here's what Pope Francis said last October:
If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries, we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact.
If we accept this per-capita data (which has been disputed and interestingly helps hide the fact that China is the world's largest emitter by far), why does Pope Francis also ignore that per capita CO₂ emissions are declining in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but rocketing upwards in countries like China?
Could it be because criticizing the West falls squarely within his woke agenda?
But when faced with legitimate data-based questions and debate, don't forget that we're dealing with a Pope who has no problem dismissing any dissent as "stupid."
Where have we heard that logic before?
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