Popes, Polar Ice and Poverty

A radio talk show host yesterday complained that, in his remarks here in the US, the visiting Pope had shifted from “the spiritual” into the "realm of politics" by raising the issue of Climate Change and encouraging Americans to expand our efforts to address it.  [The same sentiment has permeated conservative media with unusual regularity in the day or two.]  Father Jonathan Morris, a Catholic priest and guest on the radio show, quickly reminded the host that the World’s climate isn’t necessarily political, but a real, tangible part of nature; adding that the host should be more surprised that the same Catholic Church that accused scientists like Copernicus and Galileo of heresy in past centuries, was now listening to what the scientific community has to say and is encouraging their parishioners to heed the warnings as well. [Similar Father Jonathan Morris Interview here.] 

Undeterred by that argument, the host expressed his view that the Pope should instead be focusing on religious and human rights (e.g., “taking care of the poor”), rather than jumping on one side of what he called "a scientific debate."  "This is America," he boasted, "We don't need an outsider coming into our country to tell us what to do."  The priest's respectful response was to remind the host that the Pope’s remarks focused on God's creation of the Earth (per the Bible) and the respect and reverence we should show for that creation—a very religious topic indeed.  And in terms of "caring for the poor," he then asked the host to consider the real victims of Climate Change--specifically those who live in poverty in parts of the world highly susceptible to sea level rise, drought, severe storms, flooding, disease, famine, etc. "That's the Pope's message here," he said.

The Pope addresses a joint session of Congress today (photo credit/article link here)

In my opinion, Father Morris nailed the argument tight with that comment.  It's not about us. The Pope--like any sincere religious leader--has an obligation and calling to remind us all (Catholic or not) who are blessed with more, to do all we can to minimize the impact our own lifestyle on the planet’s environment.  In fact, even if we don’t believe the climate is changing (or that the things we do will prevent further change), it’s worth the effort taken to mitigate the result of changes that do occur, given our inherent responsibility to care for our fellow humans.  If generally accepted science is wrong, then our efforts mean we are living in a cleaner and more efficient World that's better equipped to maintain its human and non-human inhabitants. What’s the harm in that? But if that science is right, then someday perhaps we’ll be very thankful we listened.

Furthermore, we (individuals, organizations, churches, communities and countries) who are blessed with relative wealth, education and prosperity, have an obligation to devote some of our time and means to help better the lives of others (here and abroad) who do not have the means or expertise to prepare for devastating climatic events that seem to be coming with increasing regularity and severity.  In essence, we should be adapting to climate change and helping others do the same.  Adaptation is intended to help make our human settlements more resilient to these events and, not only minimize the potential damage and loss of life, but allow civilization to bounce back quickly to normalcy.

Sadly, the parts of the world most susceptible to the impact of climatic events (due to their geography, politics and/or economic capabilities) are also those whose populations are least able to prepare.  Thus the final piece of the climate change puzzle deals with the vulnerability of these regions/societies and underscores the responsibility we have to consider their needs as well as our own.  And what more valuable tool for helping open our eyes and look beyond ourselves than spirituality and religion?

Which brings me full circle to the conversation between the talk show host and the priest.  What the Pope said was honest and sincere.  Maybe we all needed his reminder.  It came from his obvious spiritual, altruistic desire to encourage all human society to reconsider our dedication to the well-being of our Earth and the people we share it with.  Rather than dismiss his words through some misplaced sense of pride, we should stop and listen. We might learn something.  And if we then choose to try to help others, we've improved both their lives and our own in the process.

--------------------------

For more about Adapting to the inevitable impacts of climatic events, see an excellent TED talk by Vicki Arroyo (Executive Director of the Georgetown University Climate Center) on the subject, HERE.