杏MAP导航: cooperatives for clean energy against climate change
By Robin Gomes
For the past 97 years, the International Day of Cooperatives has been celebrated each year on the first Saturday of July. Since 1995, the United Nations and the International Cooperative Alliance have chosen the theme of the annual day. The focus for this year is on climate action for sustainable development for a healthier, fairer and more united economy.
In a tweet for Saturday鈥檚 observance, 杏MAP导航 Francis also focused on the role of cooperatives in the fight against climate change. 鈥淚n some places, cooperatives are being developed to exploit renewable sources of energy which ensure local self-sufficiency,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 wrote on his Twitter account @Pontifex. 鈥淭hey can make a real difference in the fight against climate change, thanks to a strong sense of community and a deep love for the land,鈥� he added.
Cooperatives - people-centred development
The aim of the annual celebration is to increase awareness about cooperatives. Being people-centred, not capital-centred, cooperatives distribute wealth in a fairer way. As farms, businesses, or other organizations which are owned and run jointly by members who share the profits or benefits, cooperatives are committed to the sustainable development of their communities, environmentally, socially as well as economically. They support community activities, local sourcing of supplies to benefit the local economy, and decision-making that considers the impact on their communities.
Healthy, social and integral progress
杏MAP导航 Francis' tweet is an echo from his landmark encyclical 鈥淟audato Si鈥欌��, which addresses issues of justice, peace and development with regard to the use of the goods of creation. He says that technology can be used for a type of progress which is 鈥渉ealthier, more human, more social, more integral鈥�, such as when 鈥渃ooperatives of small producers adopt less polluting means of production, and opt for a non-consumerist model of life, recreation and community鈥�.
Addressing representatives of the Confederation of Italian Cooperatives on 16 March 2020, the 杏MAP导航 observed that the way of the cooperatives is to 鈥渢ake the lid off鈥� of an economy that risks producing goods but at the cost of social injustice.
UN: Challenges of Covid-19 and climate change
In a message for the June 4 International Day of Cooperatives, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, focused on the role of cooperatives in addressing the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change and in forging a path towards an inclusive and equitable future for all.
He noted that the dual crises of the pandemic and the climate emergency 鈥渁re disproportionately affecting the world鈥檚 most vulnerable countries and people, and deepening many social and economic rifts鈥�. The crises are also highlighting the need to strengthen global cooperation and solidarity.
This year鈥檚 observance, he said, underscores the contribution of cooperatives in addressing these challenges, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and forging a path towards an inclusive and equitable future.
鈥淐ooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises,鈥� Guterres noted, 鈥渃an also point the way toward resilience in times of crisis鈥�.
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