2015-06-19 15:16:00

UN chief thanks Pope for encyclical on care of the environment


U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has made the issue of climate change one of his top priorities since taking charge of the world body 8 years ago, thanked Pope Francis “for taking such a strong stand on the need for urgent global action.'”  “His moral voice is part of a growing chorus of people from all faiths and all sectors of society (who) are speaking out for climate action,” Ban told reporters on Thursday following the release in the Vatican on Thursday of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Lodato Si’ on the care of creation. “I urge all the governments to place the global common good above national interests and to adopt an ambitious, universal climate agreement in Paris this year.''   Ban said that during his meeting with the pope at the Vatican in April they discussed the need for all humankind to come together to address climate change, one of the principal challenges facing the human community. “Pope Francis and I agree that climate change is a moral issue that requires collective urgent actions. It is an issue of social justice, human rights and fundamental ethics. People everywhere share a responsibility to care for and protect our common home, our one and only planet Earth,'' the UN chief said.  “We must do far more to help the poorest and most vulnerable members of society who are suffering most from climate impact yet have the least to do with causing the problem. We must also show solidarity with generations that will follow ours and bequeath to them a sustainable world,'' Ban added.

Later, the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued the following statement:

The Secretary-General welcomes the papal encyclical released today by His Holiness Pope Francis which highlights that climate change is one of the principal challenges facing humanity, and that it is a moral issue requiring respectful dialogue with all parts of society.  The Secretary-General notes the encyclical’s findings that there is “a very solid scientific consensus” showing significant warming of the climate system and that most global warming in recent decades is “mainly a result of human activity”.

The Secretary-General reaffirms that humanity has a significant obligation to care for and protect our common home, the planet Earth, and to show solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable members of society who are suffering most from climate impacts.  The Secretary-General, therefore, urges Governments to place the global common good above national interests and to adopt an ambitious, universal climate agreement in Paris this year.

The Secretary-General welcomes the contributions of all religious leaders and people of influence in responding to the climate challenge and in strengthening sustainable development.  He looks forward to welcoming Pope Francis at the United Nations in September to address the United Nations General Assembly.

(Source: AP/UN) 








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