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SEEC Statement on Pope's Encyclical on Climate Change and the Environment

Washington, DC, June 18, 2015
Following the release of Pope Francis' climate encyclical, SEEC Co-Chair Rep. Gerry Connolly said, "Pope Francis offers a brave, powerful and needed voice for the moral imperative to act on climate change." Read more.

Today, Pope Francis–the leader of more than 1 billion Catholics worldwide–released a papal encyclical, “Laudato Si, On the Care of our Common Home."  The encyclical echoes what we already know, the climate is changing and human actions, especially the unmitigated burning of fossil fuels, are the cause. The encyclical goes on to urge the world’s  governments to act, calling on developed nations to lead, citing the disproportionate impacts that climate change will have on the world’s poor and those living in developing countries.

SEEC Members Released the Following Statement:

“For those unmoved by the science of climate change, we hope that Pope Francis’ encyclical demonstrates the virtue and moral imperative for action. Today’s announcement further aligns the scientific and moral case for climate action, yet the political will of many is still askew. The time to act on climate is now, and failure to do so will further damage the planet, its people, and our principles.”

Added SEEC Co-Chair Rep. Gerry Connolly, “Pope Francis offers a brave, powerful and needed voice for the moral imperative to act on climate change.”
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