Bread for the World welcomes Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change and echoes his call for global leaders to take action. The encyclical is titled Laudato Si, or “Praised Be.” It underscores the collective moral responsibility of the Catholic Church and all peoples to address climate change. It also draws a clear link between changing global weather patterns and hunger.
“Pope Francis has laid out a convincing moral argument about why we must confront climate change. Especially how it impacts the poor and most vulnerable among us,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “Climate change is increasing hunger throughout the world. It is the poorest who continue to suffer the most. Now is the time to come together and act on this global threat.”
Pope Francis has been outspoken regarding the effects of climate change on the poor. He has chastised world leaders for failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Millions of people throughout the developing world are already feeling the effects of climate change. This makes it even harder for them to grow and secure food.
Earlier this month, the Bread for the World Institute released “Hunger and Climate Change: What’s the Connection?” It highlights the effects of climate change on the poor and marginalized. Bread for the World believes the global community will not be able to end hunger and extreme poverty without confronting climate change.
“The world can no longer ignore the fact that climate change is devastating communities across the globe,” said Faustine Wabwire, senior foreign assistance policy analyst at the Bread for the World Institute. “Most of those affected are already poor and marginalized. They become more impacted as climate change speeds up. We will not be able to end hunger and poverty until our leaders take decisive action.”
Bread for the World will gather more than 100 faith leaders in Washington, D.C., on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in September. They will welcome the pope and reflect on his teachings about hunger and poverty.
