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Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Wu welcomes mayor of Italian town to Boston, talks climate policy
'The culture and the roots of the (Italian) community here is so important,' Wu said, addressing a small gathering of city officers, leaders from the North End, the city's Italian neighborhood, and her family members. 'We thank you for the exchange between our citizens.' Wu and Costanzo exchanged gifts. From a navy bag stamped with a golden seal, Wu pulled out a blue pitcher, which she handed to Costanzo. In return, Wu received a commemorative plaque , cap, and framed picture. The gathering was filled with with hugs, kisses, and handshakes, while Wu's young children darted around the office. Mayor Michelle Wu receives a commemorative plaque from Mayor Simone Costanzo of Coreno Ausonia, Italy. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Advertisement Also in attendance was Anthony D. Biasiotta, the mayor of Biasiotta welcomed Costanzo to Seven Hills last week before heading with him to Boston. Pewarski's extended family hails from Coreno Ausonio. His mother showed the Italian mayor pictures from a yellow envelope, pointing out in one picture, 'That was my grandmother.' In May 2024, Wu visited Coreno Ausonio for a day. She met her husband's relatives, and researched a family tree at the city hall, according to Lidia Di Bello, a delegate who accompanied Costanzo on the trip to the U.S. Advertisement Beyond family ties, Wu's climate crisis. She was the only American mayor at the conference hosted by the Vatican and Pontifical Academy of Sciences. More than a year after later, the city has completed a When Wu ran for mayor, she promised to reduce the city's carbon emissions and increase the city's resilience against climate change. As the 'We don't have time to plan for decades into the future. We need to see action and results now,' she said in an interview. Wu said Wednesday's meeting is a testament to community-building that 'can transcend geography.' It's especially true in the current political climate — when 'there is so much in the world driving people away from each other,' she noted. 'The ties between Boston and so many of our global partners reflect a shared commitment to do what we can to take care of our communities,' Wu said. 'That is an important source of hope.' Advertisement Biasiotta said mayoral exchanges symbolize unity between people from different cities and continents — a way 'to make those distances even smaller,' he said. Costanzo and Biasiotta explored the North End during their trip to Boston. What's next on the docket for the visiting mayors? Biasiotta said he's trying to 'knock out' the rest of the Freedom Trail. He said he felt instantly welcomed by the city. 'Even though our cities are all different sizes — small, medium, large, there's a thing that binds all three cities,' Biasiotta said. 'It's the hospitality of the people.' Jessica Ma can be reached at
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Experts Call For Increased Climate Finance To Power Locally Led Adaptation Initiatives
Despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, Africa faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change. They include rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, intense floods, low agricultural yields and shrinking water resources. These escalating climate impacts are compounding existing vulnerabilities, fuelling food insecurity, displacement, and health crises across the continent. In response, experts are calling for a sharp increase in climate finance to support locally led adaptation efforts grounded in science, inclusive policy dialogue, and strong community engagement. African leaders, scientists, youth activists and faith-based organizations at a landmark climate resilience conference in Nairobi have issued an urgent call for a significant increase in climate finance to support locally-led adaptation and resilience-building across the continent. The appeal comes amid mounting concern that communities on the frontlines of climate change – such as in Africa- continue to be sidelined by conventional financing models and global inaction. The conference, titled Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience, was convened under the auspices of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), Pontifical Academies of Sciences Social Sciences (PASS), in partnership with CIFOR-ICRAF, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)and a wide range of African stakeholders. It follows on the momentum of the 2023 African Climate Summit and the Africa Youth Climate Assembly Declaration. 'We have all witnessed the devastating effects of climate change — from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods that are disrupting livelihoods and ecosystems in Africa. The time to act is now. But without adequate and timely resources reaching communities on the frontlines, even the most ambitious strategies will remain words on paper. Action must be matched with investment if we are to build lasting resilience,' said Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF. During the conference, participants stressed that direct access to finance for cities and local governments is essential, alongside the development of innovative financial instruments tailored to Africa's unique needs. Local authorities, they said, must be empowered—not only with funding, but also with decision-making authority and technical capacity—to design and implement tailored adaptation strategies that respond to the lived realities of their people 'Weak institutional coordination, limited access to financial resources, and inadequate technical capacity hinder effective climate change adaptation and resilience-building efforts. These challenges highlight the need for increased support, funding, and capacity building to help Africa adapt to climate change and build resilience,' said Dr Wilber Ottichilo, Governor of Vihiga County and Chair of the Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Committee of the Council of Governors in Kenya. Experts also reaffirmed that climate action must be guided by strong science, inclusive policy dialogue, and meaningful community engagement. Africa's academies of science, Indigenous knowledge holders, faith-based groups, and civil society organizations were recognized for the important roles they play in ensuring solutions are rooted in local realities. 'Africa can achieve climate resilience when action-oriented alliances of local governments, civil society, science, farming communities and business are formed, and supported by increased volume and quality of adaptation finance,'noted Dr Joachim von Braun, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Dr Jacqueline Kado, the Executive Director of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) added, 'Africa's resilience journey must be science-informed, locally led, justice-grounded, youth-driven and community-rooted.' The urgent need to build resilience in food, land and water systems was also a key takeaway from the conference. Speakers emphasized that integrated land use planning, climate-smart agriculture and water harvesting are powerful drivers of change—especially when grounded in African research and local innovation. Nature-based solutions such as forest conservation, tree planting, reforestation and eco-friendly infrastructure were also highlighted as cost-effective approaches that align with both scientific evidence and the cultural and spiritual values of African communities. In response, local government representatives at the conference committed to developing city- and county- or province-specific resilience blueprints, in collaboration with financial institutions. These blueprints will include clear implementation pathways. They will also prioritize nature-based solutions, agroecological transitions, climate-resilient infrastructure and strong community ownership. On disaster preparedness, participants called for improved early warning systems and recovery mechanisms, including insurance for vulnerable populations. Climate-induced migration, they warned, must be addressed holistically, recognising its human rights dimensions and structural drivers. A cornerstone of the discussions was the Mitigation, Adaptation, and Societal Transformation (MAST) framework, which the conference adopted as a foundational pillar for advancing climate resilience in Africa. Speakers emphasized that climate change mitigation must align with justice and development rights, while adaptation must be prioritized given the continent's acute exposure to climate risks. In addition, they noted that societal transformation must drive institutional, behavioural and structural shifts toward sustainability and equity. Youth voices were central throughout the event, particularly through the Youth MAST Dialogues, which presented bold visions for change and called for genuine intergenerational collaboration. 'There is nothing about us, without us. And our time is now. We urge policymakers, development institutions, and knowledge networks to make climate knowledge products, tools, and financial resources widely accessible—particularly to vulnerable populations—to bridge inequality gaps and ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a climate-resilient future,' said Valerie Nutakor, who was among the youth representatives at the conference. Faith-based institutions and civil society were also recognized for their moral leadership and grassroots reach. Inspired by Pope Francis' 2024 call for a Universal Protocol of Resilience, delegates echoed the need for ethical urgency, solidarity and planetary stewardship. They concurred that faith actors are uniquely positioned to galvanize public support, shift values and sustain community-led action. 'Climate change is not an isolated environmental issue. It is an existential, spiritual and geopolitical challenge that calls for moral clarity and united global action. We are interconnected-not only through markets and media, but through the air we breathe, the rivers we drink from and the planetary systems that sustain life,' said Archbishop Philip Anyolo, the Archbishop of Nairobi and head of the Catholic Church in Kenya. 'The Earth is a garden meant to be tended with care. We must move from stewards of creation to carers of creation. What we received with beauty and life, we must not pass on as wilderness,' said His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS). The Nairobi gathering also committed to launching structured, science-informed policy dialogues to track resilience progress, foster peer learning and prepare regional contributions for COP30 in Brazil and the Final Vatican Resilience Summit in 2027. 'In California and Massachusetts earlier this year, in Kenya today, and at seven future summits in Austria, Brazil, China, Japan, India, Rome and Oceania, governors, mayors, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youths and civil society actors will convene and chart pathways forward toward a healed, sustainable and more humane future,' said Suárez-Orozco, Member of the Council of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
The Guardian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Papal inauguration risks raising tensions between China and Taiwan
Next week, 135 cardinals will gather inside the Vatican for the conclave, a secretive meeting to decide who will succeed the late Pope Francis. Around the world, people are speculating: who will the next pontiff be? But in Taiwan, a more common discussion has been: who are we sending to the inauguration? Former vice-president Chen Chien-jen recently returned from Vatican City, where he represented Taiwan at Francis's funeral. But the committed Catholic hopes he won't be asked to repeat the journey to welcome in the successor. Instead, he's pushing for it to be Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te. 'We prayed for the possibility for Dr Lai to attend the inauguration of the new pope,' he told the Guardian in Taipei. The reason Lai didn't attend the funeral hasn't been confirmed, but there are plenty of educated guesses going around, and they all involve Beijing. The Vatican is one of just 12 governments that recognise Taiwan as a country, and the only one in Europe. Serving presidents attended the funeral of Pope John II and the first mass of Pope Francis. But in the years since, the geopolitics of Taiwan's place in the world has become more difficult. China's ruling Communist Pparty claims Taiwan is a province and has vowed to annex it, militarily if need be. In the meantime it is using its considerable global influence to keep Taiwan's government – which it labels 'separatist' – away from the international stage, and has persuaded many of Taiwan's allies to cut ties and recognise Beijing instead. Which is exactly what many observers think was going on with the Vatican for the funeral. After the death of Francis was announced, Taiwan was quick to offer condolences. Its deputy foreign minister, Wu Chih-chung, publicly said it was the island's 'most important aim' to have its president lead the funeral delegation. But just hours later Chen, who had met Francis six times before he died and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, was announced as 'the best choice under the current circumstances' following discussions with the Vatican. Speculation swirled that the Vatican had refused Lai's attendance – or at least requested he not be sent – under pressure from China. Taipei, Beijing and the Vatican would not comment. Beijing was relatively late in offering condolences, which came via a foreign affairs spokesperson answering a question at a press conference in which he also insisted Taiwan was an 'inalienable part' of China. It also didn't send anyone to the funeral, fueling speculation that it was because the Vatican refused to bar Taiwan's delegation. 'We knew [the funeral] would be a headache, we knew China would ask that Taiwan's delegation not be allowed to come, and we knew the Vatican could not say no but also could not refuse Taiwan as a diplomatic partners and because there are Catholics in Taiwan,' said Michel Chambon, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore. Taiwan's presence at these sort of events isn't only about respecting an important moment for a close ally. It's also a rare opportunity to mix with other world leaders at a time when Taiwan is seeking as much global support as it can to deter China's aggression. Chen isn't sure how many foreign leaders and dignitaries he spoke to at the funeral but it was many. 'In the square I had the chance to meet, for example, President Biden of the US and also the special envoys from Japan, Thailand, South Korea, too many to mention. It was a good chance for us to chat with governmental officers of likeminded countries,' he told the Guardian. 'With all of our friends we have the same mindset and we all treasure regional stability, security and prosperity,' Chen said. 'And we hope we can maintain this Indo-Pacific's freedom and openness.' From the Vatican's side, Taiwan is an important partner of the church, even though it is home to just 0.02% of the world's Catholics. 'It's a bridging church,' said Chen. Until about a decade ago, after cross-strait tensions made it too risky, Chinese priests and nuns would quietly travel to Taiwan's seminaries and universities for theological training in their native tongue. Francis put greater focus on Chinese-speaking Catholics across Asia. His funeral sermon ended with a prayer in Mandarin – the only one in delivered in an Asian language. There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China and Francis oversaw significant progress in negotiations with Beijing to better protect their religious freedoms, signing agreements on the appointment of bishops. 'We don't know if the new pope will love China as Francis did,' said Thomas Tu, a Vatican diplomacy expert at Taiwan's National Chengchi University. 'But I think the Vatican wants to keep that legacy.' Whether that legacy comes at the expense of Taiwan's diplomatic status is up for debate. Chen understands that it's complicated: 'The Holy See has to get assurances of religious freedom [from Beijing] to protect all the sheep in China, as a big shepherd. It's a big pressure.' Chambon said Francis successfully balanced both relationships, strengthening ties with China without diminishing anything with Taiwan. 'The Holy See does not want to abandon any group of Catholics in the world, including Taiwan,' he said. 'It's been able to manoeuvre and resist pressure from Beijing to cut official ties.' Taiwan's government says it is still making plans about its delegation and has not said whether or not it hopes it is led by Lai. Chambon thinks the Vatican probably hopes Chen returns instead. He added: 'The Vatican doesn't want to refuse Taiwan completely … I think they would like to see something like the funeral – we want a delegation but we don't want provocation towards Beijing.' Additional research by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu
Int'l Business Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Who Is Peter Turkson? Ghanaian Cardinal Gains Ground Among Crypto Bettors As Papal Favorite
Turkson toppled Tagle's second place rank at one point late Tuesday on Polymarket Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, remains the top choice for crypto bettors Turkson, a Ghanaian cardinal, participated in the conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis Talks around who will succeed Pope Francis are intensifying around the world. On market prediction platform Polymarket, the first Black Pope contender toppled Filipino favorite Luis Antonio Tagle at one point to challenge Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin's top spot on the event contract. At one point late Tuesday, Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana unseated Cardinal Tagle in second place, with odds as high as 21%. To compare, Tagle's chances retreated to 17%, while Parolin remained on top of the ranks, with odds at 27% late Tuesday. Pietro Parolin remains the top contender on Polymarket, but Peter Turkson's figures are climbing. Polymarket Who is Cardinal Turkson? Local African outlets have been touting Turkson as a serious contender for the pontificate role in recent days, matching data from Polymarket that shows the Ghanaian cardinal's chances had only begun climbing at least last week. His official profile at the Vatican website states that Turkson currently serves as the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He also served as the president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference and as Chairman of the Ghana Chapter of the Conference of Religions for Peace. Quite interestingly, Turkson speaks six languages, including French and Italian. He was also among the cardinals who participated in both conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI (2005) and Pope Francis (2013). Pope Francis himself appointed Turkson into his Chancellor roles and as a member of the Pre-Sinodal Council of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region. Turkson is an influential voice for the African Church and is known to be an advocate for justice, peace, and human dignity, as per local media. If elected in the upcoming conclave, Turkson will make history as the first African pope in more than 1,500 years. Crypto bettors drawn to "Black Pope" One of the crypto users who placed his bet on Turkson said he expected the cardinals to "choose a Black" pope for sure although the user did not explain why he thinks so. Several other crypto users seem drawn to the idea of having a Black pope in the modern church era, while one crypto bettor said Turkson was a good bet since he is "ready to bring to the Vatican the rhythm of justice." A comment that said, "we are going to have a black pope," has gained multiple likes compared to others. It remains to be seen whether Turkson will have a good chance during this year's conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor. As of early Wednesday, the event contract on the next pontiff has reached over $10.7 million in betting volume.
