Posted on June, 18 2015

The recent papal encyclical linking poverty, overconsumption and environmental destruction provides an unprecedented moral call to the world to act on behalf of future generations to prevent growing inequality and catastrophic climate change.  Titled “Laudato Sii”, or “Praise be:  On the care of our common home” and released in June, the encyclical is a letter from Pope Francis to the 5,000 Catholic bishops and the 1,2 billion Catholics worldwide. This is expected to have significant impact on public opinion in a year when the Pope will meet US President Barack Obama and address the US Congress, later address the UN General Assembly on the proposed new development goals and 15-year plans to tackle hunger, extreme poverty, health and environment issues, and ahead of the end of year climate summit in Paris to agree a strong deal to address climate change.  Responding to the encyclical, WWF International President Yolanda Kakabadse said Pope Francis’ message adds a much needed moral approach to the climate debate, which is increasingly a moral and ethical issue.