Pope Francis on the Climate Crisis and COP28
Pope Francis on the Climate Crisis and COP28!
Calling for International Collaboration and the Global Common Good.
COP 28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference takes places in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30th November to 12th December 2023. Over 160 world leaders and their negotiators will attend the summit, the focus of which will be to reach agreement on the next steps necessary to address the climate crisis:
- Limiting global temperatures to 1.5˚ Celsius
- Strengthening resilience to climate impacts
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050
- Provision of financial support to ensure a just and transformative transition
In addressing the failures of past Climate Conferences, Pope Francis warns that “Our responses have not been adequate; the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point” (Laudate Deum 2). He also points out that “international negotiations cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries which place their national interests above the global common good”. (LD52)
In addressing the weakness of international politics, Pope Francis reminds us that “Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day”. For there to be solid and lasting advances, I would insist that, “preference should be given to multilateral agreements between States” (LD34)
Let us pray, that COP 28 will lead to solid and lasting advances in our quest for real and effective change!
A PRAYER FOR COP28
God,
All-merciful Love,
Creator of all that is,
you created and keep creating
the world as a beautiful
process of relatedness.
Give us and all participants of COP 28
genuine love for the world
and the consciousness of its profound goodness.
God,
All-merciful Love,
Firstborn of the New Creation,
you redeemed and keep redeeming
this Creation from within,
and so make possible our conversion to life.
Give us and all participants of COP 28
the understanding of the world’s brokenness
and of your constant healing effort.
God,
All-merciful Love,
Breath of life,
you promised and keep promising
the Transfiguration of all wounds
and the Resurrection of your crucified Creation.
Give us and all participants of COP 28
your creative Spirit, hope-giving renewer of the world,
to contribute courageously to your New Creation.
Amen.
Fabian Moos, SJ
Related articles and additional reading:
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231004-laudate-deum.html
https://jesuitmissions.org.uk/prayer-for-cop28/
https://cafod.org.uk/pray/prayer-resources
