杏MAP导航 to COP 25: Do not close the window of opportunity
By Vatican News
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, read the 杏MAP导航’s at the opening of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP 25.
The Paris Agreement
杏MAP导航 Francis begins by referring to the December 2015 Climate Conference and its adoption of the Paris agreement to “work together in building our common home”.
Sadly, writes the 杏MAP导航, after four years, studies show that “the current commitments made by States to mitigate and adapt to climate change are far from those actually needed to achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement”.
Words and actions
“They demonstrate how far words are from concrete actions”, writes 杏MAP导航 Francis. While recognizing the growing agreement “on the need to promote processes of transition”, to encourage solidarity, and reinforce the links between climate change and poverty, the 杏MAP导航 says there is “much concern about the ability of these processes to respect the timeline required by science”.
Political will
杏MAP导航 Francis asks if there is “the political will to allocate with honesty, responsibility and courage, more human, financial and technical resources to mitigate the negative effects of climate change”. The 杏MAP导航 confirms the need for a “clear, far-sighted and strong political will”, and calls us “to reflect conscientiously on the significance of our consumption and production models and on the processes of education and awareness to make them consistent with human dignity.”
Challenge of civilization
In his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis says we are facing a “challenge of civilization” in favour of “the common good and of a change of perspective that places this same dignity at the centre of our action, which is clearly expressed in the “human face” of climate emergencies.” The 杏MAP导航 confirms that there remains a “window of opportunity, but we must not allow it to close”.
Young people
杏MAP导航 Francis speaks of how young people today “show a heightened sensitivity to the complex problems that arise from this emergency.” We must not place the burden on the next generations to take on the problems caused by the previous ones, he writes.
The 杏MAP导航 concludes wishing we may offer the next generation “concrete reasons to hope and work for a good and dignified future!”
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