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Forbes
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Pope Leo XIV On Climate, Leadership On Justice And Sustainability
Pope Leo XIV on climate – from solar panels to social justice, the Vatican's new leader is expected to pick up Pope Francis's 'green' mantle. When white smoke rose above St. Peter's Basilica earlier this month, one of the first questions on environmental advocates mind was whether he would continue to champion for the causes his predecessor had. As it turns out Pope Leo XIV, formerly Father Bob Prevost, made his ideas about the environment and justice clear in his first homily as Pontiff. 'In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that exploits the earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest,' the pope said . Later, he called for a 'unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.' Pope Leo has taken bold positions in his first days, particularly on climate change, clean energy, and environmental justice. He is building on the moral and theological foundation laid out in Laudato Si', the landmark 2015 encyclical that made care for creation a core issue of Catholic social teaching. Pope Francis's Laudato Si', subtitled 'On Care for Our Common Home,' was a groundbreaking text that wove environmental concern into the fabric of Catholic theology. It introduced the concept of integral ecology. This is a view of the world where social, environmental, and economic issues are interdependent and must be addressed together. His thinking made its way into global climate negotiations and was cited in multiple UN climate documents. Because the book and the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals came out at the same time, they are viewed as complementary to one another. Their similarities have been discussed in many fora and Pope Francis spoke on the theme of a 'common home' in his addresses to the UN in 2015 and 2024. Pope Leo XIV has made clear that Laudato Si' remains the foundation for his papacy's approach to environmental stewardship. 'We cannot separate our treatment of the Earth from our treatment of the poor,' he said in a recent Vatican address. 'They suffer together when we choose exploitation over responsibility.' In speeches and interviews, Leo XIV has raised concern over the unchecked growth of technological development and market-driven environmental harm. He warns that profit motives, when left unregulated, often drive decisions that damage creation and deepen inequality. Pope Leo is not necessarily dismissing science or innovation. He has also noted the benefits to humanity that technology and innovation can bring. Instead, he is say that their development be 'disciplined by justice, guided by wisdom, and tethered to the common good.' This line of critique echoes catholic teaching, but also aligns with secular calls for stronger climate regulation, sustainable tech design, and corporate accountability. One of his first acts as pope was to declare that the world is in a 'global climate emergency,' urging leaders to 'move from words to action.' He has pressed fossil fuel companies to transition their portfolios and publicly endorsed clean energy investment. In his own backyard, the Vatican is leading by example. The City-State has expanded its use of solar power, added electric vehicles to its fleet—including the first all-electric Popemobile—and recommitted to becoming carbon-neutral. These changes build on Pope Francis's early green Vatican initiatives but go further in implementation. 'Symbolism is not enough,' Leo said in a pre-election speech. 'To be stewards of the Earth, we must be accountable in our choices—starting with our own.' Pope Leo XIV has been careful to avoid framing environmental protection as dominion. Instead, he advocates a 'relationship of reciprocity' with the natural world. Quoting Genesis, he often reminds audiences that dominion over creation does not mean exploitation—it means care and responsibility. This is a subtle but significant shift. In Catholic Social Thought, humans are stewards of creation, tasked with preserving it not just for future generations but as a reflection of divine order and justice. Pope Leo emphasizes that this must be an active stewardship, or what some might call climate leadership rooted in moral responsibility rather than political pressure. His critics within and outside the Church might see this as overreach. One side may be concerned his reach into secular territory. Others may react to policy and legal imperatives coming from the Catholic Church. For Pope Leo, this is about a simple truth: 'The Earth is not ours to waste." According to former parishioners and other speeches from the new pope, the Church's new leader sees no daylight between environmental degradation and inequality. Pollution, water scarcity, and climate-driven disasters disproportionately affect the poor. As such, Pope Leo has spoken out about the moral imperative to link environmental policy with anti-poverty measures. This holistic approach aligns closely with today's global environmental justice movement, which centers the needs and experiences of frontline communities. By rooting these goals in Catholic theology, Pope Leo offers a powerful bridge between faith traditions and modern environmental advocacy. His message is already resonating across those schools of thought. As one commentator put it in Bloomberg Opinion: 'Pope Leo XIV might be the climate champion we need—someone who speaks in moral absolutes about a crisis that has, for too long, been debated in economic half-measures. Pope Leo XIV on climate is expected to be a continuing theme in international climate dialogues, much like his predecessor addressed the UN General Assembly and COP21 in Paris. Already, Vatican officials suggest he will be a key moral voice at COP30 in Brazil, particularly on the topics of climate finance, land rights, and biodiversity protection. With the Vatican's unique status as both a religious and political entity, Leo has the ability to shape conversations across sectors, appealing not just to world leaders but to the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide—and many more who view the Church as a moral compass. As the world barrels toward COP30 and other critical inflection points, Pope Leo XIV's message is clear: climate change is not only a scientific or political issue—it is a spiritual crisis, demanding a faithful, urgent, and just response.
Mint
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Remembering Pope Francis's climate advocacy, Bill Aitken's nature writing, and the race to avoid runaway climate change
Climate Change & You is a fortnightly newsletter written by Bibek Bhattacharya and Sayantan Bera. Subscribe to Mint's newsletters to get them directly in your inbox. Dear reader, With the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, we lost a powerful and persuasive force in the fight against climate change. It was probably to be expected that a Pope as progressive as him would draw clear connections between the plight of the poor and marginalized, and how this inequality only gets exacerbated by global warming. The 'Climate Pope', as he is hailed by scientists, officials and climate activists worldwide, had made environmental advocacy a central part of his Papacy. Over the years, he intervened time and again, reminding both rich corporations and nations of the debt that they owed to nature and to the poor. Two years after becoming Pope, in 2015, Francis published a now-famous document, the Laudato si': On Care for Our Common Home . In it, he called climate change 'a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political, and for the distribution of goods." Speaking to The Guardian , Austen Ivereigh, a papal biographer, called the document Francis's 'signature teaching": 'Francis has made it not just safe to be Catholic and green; he's made it obligatory." Also Read | India's climate crisis: Early heatwaves, melting Himalayan glaciers, and a biodiversity collapse As planet-heating carbon emissions continued to rise despite warnings, Pope Francis took a more combative line, calling 'Ecocide" a sin in 2019, and writing in 2023: 'Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over, or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident." In 2024, during a climate conference at the Vatican, he urged political leaders to think whether, '…we are working for a culture of life or for a culture of death."The Pope will be missed. My newsletter partner Sayantan wrote about India's early heatwaves in the previous edition , and I've written about how February was a record hot year for India. As expected, April was no different, with record early heat scorching north India. By mid-April, daytime temperatures in New Delhi had hit 40 degrees Celsius thrice, large parts of India and Pakistan were reeling from heatwaves. A recent analysis of the heatwaves by French extreme weather attribution group ClimaMeter has found that temperatures in New Delhi were 5 degrees higher than the seasonal average, and the overwhelming reason for that is climate change, with temperature anomalies in India and Pakistan reaching as much as +12 degrees Celsius at times. ClimaMeter's analysis essentially compares the heatwave conditions to temperature data from the 1950s and concludes that the heatwaves were primarily due to the effects of human-caused climate change. A small percentage of the conditions could be attributed to natural climate variability. -The state of coral reefs around the world are extremely precarious. This story is how a coral bleaching event in April, caused by marine heatwaves, affected 80% of corals around the world. -Environmental pollution and climate change touches every aspect of your life, even down to skincare. In this interview , Dr Annie Black, the international scientific director at luxury beauty brand Lancôme, says that both pollution and UV rays are damaging the skins of Indians. - This opinion piece for Mint makes a strong argument that if India has to get ahead of climate-fuelled health challenges, then it needs to build robust health-data infrastructure, strengthen inter-ministerial data sharing and enhance agency cooperation Nearly everyone around the world is worried about climate change and would like more intense climate action. And nearly everyone thinks that very few people want climate action from their governments. Many see this strange conundrum to be at the heart of the reason why governments around the world aren't trying as hard as possible to ramp up ambition. The message that people who want more climate action are actually the overwhelming majority is at the heart of a new media endeavour called ' the 89 Percent Project ". Helmed by the journalism collective Covering Climate Now (CCNow), between 21-28 April, participating newsrooms like The Guardian , Deutsche Welle , Rolling Stone , TIME and Scientific American published a series of articles aimed at policymakers and governments to sensitize them about the 'silent climate majority". Also Read | The alarming climate shifts taking place in India They made the case that there is actually overwhelming global support for the pivot away from fossil fuels while there is still time, and that governments shouldn't pretend like this consensus doesn't exist. There will be a second week of stories and advocacy in October, leading up to the COP30 UN climate summit in Brazil. Climate action is popular not just with common people, but also with business leaders. A recent global survey of 1,477 executives in firms across 15 mature and economies revealed that 97% support a move away from fossil fuels. The survey, commissioned by Beyond Fossil Fuels (a Europe-based civil society campaign), E3G (a climate think tank) and We Mean Business Coalition (a climate non-profit that works with global businesses), also found that 84% of Indian business leaders supported a shift to renewable energy (RE) by 2035. Geoengineering, or to be more precise solar geoengineering, is the ultimate pipe dream —that of unearthing global scale technological fixes to stop the planet from getting any hotter. These are ideas that are, in their present state, more to do with science fiction than science. Basically, geoengineering solutions are primarily about finding ways to prevent solar radiation (i.e. heat) from reaching the planet, by deflecting it. If enough heat doesn't reach the Earth, the logic goes, then it won't get trapped by greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane. And thus, the planet gets cooler. There are all sorts of proposals for this, including one from 1997 of putting giant mirrors in space. Geoengineering ideas include spraying the Earth's atmosphere with aerosol gas particles, or brightening high altitude clouds by spraying them with sea water. On 22 April, a UK government-funded programme announced that it will undertake small-scale outdoor geoengineering experiments to test the feasibility of the technology. The US administration under Joe Biden also flirted with geoengineering experiments . But, as scientists have consistently pointed out, you cannot fix the climate by tinkering with planetary systems. It's a matter of scale: first of all, we are decades away from any valid tech that can control heating or do effective carbon-capture-and-storage on a global scale. The money invested in such research would be better used to phase out fossil fuels instead. Secondly, even when possible, such experiments can cause more harm , like shifting rainfall patterns, and adversely affecting agriculture. Focusing on geoengineering is also a form of distraction , turning attention away from tackling the root cause of global warming—burning fossil fuels. Unless there's significant action within the next 5-10 years to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the world is staring at a catastrophic warming of 3 degrees Celsius or more by the end of the century. I should make it clear that this is a distinct possibility. And if that happens, then global systems will start breaking down by the 2050s-2070s, as a spate of important new research has indicated. According to one from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries at the University of Exeter, the global economy would lose 50% or more of GDP between 2070 and 2090. Inaction can also lead to compounding effects, and the report warns that if the world heats up by 3 degrees Celsius by 2050, the result would be the death of billions. According to another study , published in the journal Environmental Research Letters , warns of a loss of 40% to global GDP if we stay at business-as-usual. The researchers conclude that while the economic costs of shifting away from fossil fuels would be high in the short term, the cost of inaction is cataclysmic. When the travel writer Bill Aitken passed at the age of 91 in his home in Mussoorie on 16 April, I was one of his many fans who mourned the gentle, witty and sharp man's loss. It seems somehow reductive to call a man of so many parts a mere travel writer, especially when you read his magnum opus— The Nanda Devi Affair . The book is no mere travelogue, but Aitken's meditation on his fascination and obsession with Nanda Devi, the 7,816m Himalayan peak that is also a goddess to the people of Uttarakhand. To read this joyful book is to soak in the verve with which Aitken chased down all of Nanda's secret places and hidden lores. It is also a powerful reminder that nature is never impersonal. The book may not have anything directly to do with climate change, but read it to awaken your environmental consciousness. You'll want to defend our beautiful world with your life then. That's it with this issue of Climate Change & You , dear reader. Sayantan will be back with the next instalment in a fortnight. Also Read | How Donald Trump's attack on US climate agencies affect India
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
As the world cooks, why have our political leaders gone cold on global warming?
Pope Francis was entombed on Saturday in a simple wooden coffin in accordance with his wishes. He is remembered by millions as the 'people's Pope' after a lifetime of advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised. In climate circles, Francis is remembered for Laudato Si, his second encyclical letter to the faithful, subtitled 'On Care for Our Common Home'. It is a 184-page treatise lamenting climate change and the destruction of the earth and its environmental systems in support of reckless consumerism. Its publication in 2015 helped secure the 2016 Paris Accord, signed by almost every nation on earth, which pledged to hold global warming to less than two degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees. But it had other political impacts. It drove what is sometimes referred to as the 'Francis effect' in the US, hardening the views of right-wing Catholics against his papacy, including his calls for climate action. Their support helped Donald Trump secure his second term, which he is using to dismantle climate action domestically and to disrupt it internationally. An anti-Francis faction is now seeking to make the Vatican great again with a right-wing pope. 'The hope is to have a pontificate that concentrates more on Catholic issues, such as pro-life and family, rather than climate change and immigration,' Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, a German aristocrat and a prominent member of a right-wing push Europe and the US, told Politico this week. Born in Argentina, Francis never returned to his country of origin throughout his papacy. Despite Francis's climate advocacy, Argentina is now led by Javier Milei, a right-wing populist and climate sceptic who flirts with abandoning the Paris Accord. On Monday, Canada reinstalled Mark Carney as prime minister. Carney is a former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, but in climate circles he is known for an address made at Lloyds of London in 2015, often referred to as his 'tragedy of the horizon' speech. He warned global financial institutions that climate change presented a real and overwhelming economic threat. Though its impacts would be most devastating to future generations, it could be addressed only by our own. This was the tragedy. The speech is credited with catalysing a tectonic shift in the view of the financial sector to climate risk. Carney's advocacy would later help secure the Glasgow Climate Pact at 2021 world climate talks, accelerating actions to achieve the Paris goals. Optimists believed that the financial sector's engagement would serve as a bulwark against backsliding politicians. Banks, insurance companies and even the fossil fuel giants came on board with ambitious investment and emission reduction targets of their own.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
As the world cooks, why have our political leaders gone cold on global warming?
Pope Francis was entombed on Saturday in a simple wooden coffin in accordance with his wishes. He is remembered by millions as the 'people's Pope' after a lifetime of advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised. In climate circles, Francis is remembered for Laudato Si, his second encyclical letter to the faithful, subtitled 'On Care for Our Common Home'. It is a 184-page treatise lamenting climate change and the destruction of the earth and its environmental systems in support of reckless consumerism. Its publication in 2015 helped secure the 2016 Paris Accord, signed by almost every nation on earth, which pledged to hold global warming to less than two degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees. But it had other political impacts. It drove what is sometimes referred to as the 'Francis effect' in the US, hardening the views of right-wing Catholics against his papacy, including his calls for climate action. Their support helped Donald Trump secure his second term, which he is using to dismantle climate action domestically and to disrupt it internationally. An anti-Francis faction is now seeking to make the Vatican great again with a right-wing pope. 'The hope is to have a pontificate that concentrates more on Catholic issues, such as pro-life and family, rather than climate change and immigration,' Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, a German aristocrat and a prominent member of a right-wing push Europe and the US, told Politico this week. Born in Argentina, Francis never returned to his country of origin throughout his papacy. Despite Francis's climate advocacy, Argentina is now led by Javier Milei, a right-wing populist and climate sceptic who flirts with abandoning the Paris Accord. On Monday, Canada reinstalled Mark Carney as prime minister. Carney is a former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, but in climate circles he is known for an address made at Lloyds of London in 2015, often referred to as his 'tragedy of the horizon' speech. He warned global financial institutions that climate change presented a real and overwhelming economic threat. Though its impacts would be most devastating to future generations, it could be addressed only by our own. This was the tragedy. The speech is credited with catalysing a tectonic shift in the view of the financial sector to climate risk. Carney's advocacy would later help secure the Glasgow Climate Pact at 2021 world climate talks, accelerating actions to achieve the Paris goals. Optimists believed that the financial sector's engagement would serve as a bulwark against backsliding politicians. Banks, insurance companies and even the fossil fuel giants came on board with ambitious investment and emission reduction targets of their own.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis remembered locally as champion of the downtrodden
Pope Francis will be well remembered for his commitment to the poor and as a champion of the downtrodden, local Catholics said Monday as news of his death spread. "I love him because he did a lot to the church, especially taking the church back to the very original spirit of what Christian spirit is," said Rev. Theophane Antony, pastor of St. Francis Church. "That is, the church must be for the poor and church must be a voice for the voiceless, for the marginalized, the vulnerable." Antony said Francis stood up for oppressed people and through his writings and speeches left a legacy emphasizing a commitment to justice. He cited the book "The Joy of the Gospel" and the letter, "Laudato si" or "On Care for Our Common Home" about protecting the environment as examples of Francis' championing of marginalized people. "I think in the writings of Pope Francis is the true tradition of the church, which is faithful to love, compassion, justice and peace that Jesus talked about," Antony said. Many parishes had given space for Francis' writings, Antony said, which was something Antony noted he intends to do locally. "How I can honor Pope Francis and his legacy is to take up his teachings, his guidance, and discuss with the parishioners and then go into actions already throughout the world." Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno said in a statement Francis will be remembered for his compassion. "Pope Francis' unwavering spirit of service has left a profound and lasting impact on the life of our church," Brennan stated. "May his example of compassion and outreach continue to inspire us all. I ask that you join me in prayer: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him." Speaking with reporters in Bakersfield, diocese spokesman Chandler Marquez said the process to elect a new pope will begin within the next 20 days. How long it ultimately takes is unknown — the longest papal election took years, from 1268 to 1271. Marquez said Cardinals will take their time in selecting a new pontiff. Francis was known to be a progressive pope, championing outreach to the LGBT community. Marquez said all Catholics can respect his leadership. "Pope Francis was known to be a progressive pope," Marquez said. "No matter how you look at that, he was always unwavering in his leadership and his stance, and I think that's something every Catholic can take away from his papacy." Francis will leave behind a legacy of service, Marquez said, and will be remembered for his outreach even to those outside the church. "His legacy and lasting impact on the life of the church really is his unwavering spirit, service to the people, even people outside of the church," Marquez said. "The pope was a very relatable person on a lot of levels. He was the first pope from the Americas, from South America, so I think just to have that relatability, a man of the people, the guy who like to take the bus and the train, just like normal people." According to the Holy See, in his last wishes Francis requested he be interred at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus," the letter said.
