Pope Francis’ recent visit to Asia and Oceania, from 2 to 13 September, has provided a major platform for world leaders to call for urgent motion on climate change.
As the pope journeyed through countries already feeling the severe impacts of environmental crises, local leaders highlighted the necessity for a worldwide commitment to deal with these issues.
In Papua New Guinea, one in all the nations most vulnerable to climate change, Governor General Bob Dadae delivered an emotional plea through the pope’s visit on seventh September.
“Your Holiness, climate change is real,” Dadae stated. “The rise in sea levels is affecting the livelihoods of our people within the distant islands of Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific.”
Dadae highlighted the existential threat his country faces, with extreme weather events, landslides, and flooding placing 1000’s of lives in danger.
“The experience across the Pacific is that islands are sinking, persons are affected and displaced, while the world continues to speak,” he lamented.
“We want the world to know that there is no such thing as a more time for discussion. What the world needs is commitment for motion.”
Dadae’s words served each as a stark warning and a desperate call for immediate international motion. He expressed gratitude for the work of Catholic missionaries and other faith-based organisations in supporting communities affected by climate change, but stressed that without broader global commitments, the situation would only worsen.
He urged, “There is not any more time for discussion. What the world needs is commitment for motion.”
Per week later, in Singapore, an analogous call for motion got here from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a gathering with the pope on 7 September.
“We are seeing accelerating climate change, making the world less secure for humanity,” Shanmugaratnam told Pope Francis. He applauded the pope’s leadership, especially his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praised Be), which urged the world to guard the environment.
Shanmugaratnam also emphasised the importance of the upcoming COP28 climate summit as a pivotal moment for the international community to accentuate its efforts. “Your Holiness’ support for the Paris Agreement and your call for climate motion have inspired many,” he said. “This message is all of the more relevant because the world struggles to satisfy growing energy demand while achieving a transition to scrub energy.”
In response, Pope Francis recognised Singapore’s potential to guide in climate solutions. “We shouldn’t underestimate the impact that a small nation like Singapore can have on this regard,” the pope remarked. He stressed that Singapore’s access to capital, technology, and talent could drive significant advancements in addressing the climate crisis.
The threat of climate change was a recurring theme throughout Pope Francis’ trip, which began in Jakarta, Indonesia, a city battling rising sea levels. With an estimated 40% of Jakarta already below sea level, the federal government is preparing to relocate the capital to flee worsening floods.
During his visit, Pope Francis joined Southeast Asia’s grand imam in issuing a joint declaration calling for religious leaders to unite within the fight against climate change. “This ongoing environmental crisis has develop into an obstacle to the harmonious coexistence of peoples,” the declaration read.
Although Pope Francis had initially planned to deal with the COP28 climate conference in Dubai later this 12 months, respiratory issues have forced him to cancel his appearance. Instead, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, will deliver the pope’s message in his absence.
