Before it is too late …

By Fr J.C. Pieris

Eight years ago, Pope Francis wrote an encyclical on the unique beauty and the wondrous existence of planet Earth unparalleled in the known universe, on its ecology, climate change, our responsibility to care for our common home and the need to save it from destruction. It was titled, Laudato Si’ the first two words of the Canticle of Creation by Francis of Assisi. “Be praised”.

Then, I wrote to The Island an introduction to it and this paragraph comes to my mind. “The encyclical reminds me of the passage in the book of Deuteronomy, where Moses presents to the people a choice: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live…” (30/19) Pope Francis has set before humanity an ecological choice: a way of life that protects life and prosperity for all or a way of life that leads to death and destruction. And the Pope pleads, begs of humanity to choose life, prosperity and blessing…before it is too late.”

This year, he has written an exhortation to the world, “Laudate Deum” [Praise God]. His previous appeal has fallen on deaf ears. Climate change is not taken seriously by leaders who are only interested in their national power struggles, profits and market competitiveness. They see only their belly buttons and not what harm they are doing to the planet, our common home. We are almost at the point of no return of irreversibility. It is almost too late. And, Pope Francis is writing again on the same topic, I feel, frantically.

The Global Climate Crisis

“Laudate Deum” is on the climate crisis and presented to all people of good will. Climate change affects primarily the poor and the vulnerable; attacks on nature has consequences for peoples’ lives; it is an example of structural sin. Global temperature is increasing fast. The consequences are not going to be felt after thousands of years but in the lifetime of one generation. It is no longer possible to doubt that the origin of climate change is ‘anthropic’ or the increase of greenhouse gasses. We are responsible for the legacy we leave behind when we are no more. The Pope says “Everything is connected” and “No one is saved alone.”

A Growing Technocratic Paradigm

Technological and economic powers automatically result in furthering reality, goodness and truth is the basic idea loved by financiers, economists and technocrats. But the hitch is limitedness of the earth and its resources. We are grateful to everything around us and we must respect them and value them for they are irreplaceable. We must not abuse them and finish them off. It is risky for a few in the world with immense tech and money to have the ability to make decisions that will affect all. Tech progress is not always for the good of humanity. Think nuclear armaments and decimation of populations, annihilations of ethnic groups. We need genuine spirituality, sound ethics and culture that can set limits and teach clear-minded self-restraint. Today’s problem is that this paradigm, run amok, has destroyed the harmonious relationship between man and his environment. As Solovyof said ironically “an age which was so advanced as to be actually the last one”.

Marketing and false information disguises the ethical decadence of real power. Their greed and selfishness are white washed as development, meritocracy (easily becoming a screen for power of the privileged few) or even as charity. Ethics finally boils down to one’s meaning of life and all the work and effort of a short life-span.

The Weakness of International Politics

Goodness, love, justice and solidarity are not attained once and for all but must be achieved by every generation and even each day. In our struggles we must give preference to multi-lateral agreements between states. World authority does not mean power in the hands of a few or worse, in one man. Effective organizations equipped with power to provide for global common good are needed. Global crisis, like Covid-19, were opportunities for global united solutions that will bring about global common good but regrettably squandered. It will not be able to control damage to environment by leaving it to power elites; it must emerge from below, from citizens who control political power in municipal, regional and national forums or multilateralism of the people. The old diplomacy is not anymore effective, it has to reconfigure itself, it must become part of the solution.

Climate Conferences: Progress and Failures

At the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference Bush Sr declared that the American way of life is non-negotiable. What arrogance, what immature stupidity! America is the biggest polluter of the environment, 7 times more than the so called third world. The countries that ratified the Framework Convention met annually; it is the COP or Conference of the Parties. COP 3 in Kyoto (1997) set 5% reduction of pollution but failed. COP 21 in Paris (2015) was a new beginning agreeing to keep global temperature under 2`C. After many disappointments, the COP 27 in Sharm El Sheik (2022) was threatened by the Ukraine war. Carbon use is increased. 80% of the world energy is from combustibles. The Pope says: “International negotiations cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries which place their national interests above the global common good. Those who will have to suffer the consequences of what we are trying to hide will not forget this failure of conscience and responsibility.”

What to expect from COP 28 in Dubai

There must be sincere interest in making this event a success. The root causes must be attended to before hoping for new technologies to solve the problem. Such hope placed on technical interventions is homicidal pragmatism. All must be involved in this COP 28 to safeguard their children a cleaner safer world. Developed countries will have to accept sacrifices in their life styles and politicians must bite the bullet and get it done demonstrating the nobility of politics and not its shame with more failures. The Pope asks: “What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold onto power, only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?”

Spiritual Motivations

Addressing the Catholic faithful the Pope reminds them how the whole universe is intertwined in multiple relationships. After Jesus and his Good News, we discover the mystical meaning in every leaf and grain of sand: all imbued with the divine because of the Incarnation and the Resurrection. God is Love and finally it is selflessness and compassion for every thing around us that will save the Earth.

Conclusion

In Sri Lanka we have only 65,610 square Km of land. If the global temperature increases and raises the sea levels, we shall lose quite a bit of land to the Indian Ocean. We are already experiencing catastrophic changes in the climate. Though not a high consumption country we need to be heavily involved in the solution to this global problem for our own sake … before it is too late.