Thousands March in Rome to Celebrate Pope Francis’s Call for Urgent Climate Action

[RiverLover]

Thousands March in Rome to Celebrate Pope Francis’s Call for Urgent Climate Action
6/28/2015

People of faith, civil society groups and communities impacted by climate change marched together in Rome today to express gratitude to Pope Francis for the release of his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, and call for bolder climate action by world leaders.

Under the banner of “One Earth One Family,” the march brought together Catholics and other Christians, followers of non-Christian faiths, environmentalists and people of goodwill. The march ended in St. Peter’s Square in time for the Pope’s weekly Angelus.

In the words of Arianne: “As we stand at this critical juncture in addressing the climate crisis we are particularly grateful to the pope for releasing this encyclical as an awakening for the world to understand how climate change impacts people across all regions. The truth of the matter is that all of humanity needs to stand united in addressing the crisis of our times. Climate change is an issue for everyone with a moral conscience.”

Among the messages relayed to the pope during the march was a request to make fossil fuel divestment part of his moral message in the urgent need to address the climate crisis.

“The fossil fuel divestment campaign is hinged on the same moral premise communicated by Pope Francis in his encyclical,” said Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines. “The campaign serves to highlight the immorality of investing in the source of the climate injustice we currently experience. Which is why we hope that moving forward and building on this powerful message, Pope Francis can make fossil fuel divestment a part of his moral argument for urgent climate action.”

...In total, more than 220 institutions have committed to divest from fossil fuels, with faith institutions making up the biggest segment.

With the ear of 1.2 billion Catholics and the respect of Christians and non-Christians alike, Pope Francis is uniquely positioned to add both his voice and the unique moral power of his office to the divestment movement.

Get involved here

Thank you 350.org for this event, and all the work you do to WAKE UP people on the urgent need to save the planet, and ourselves!

[GliderGuider]

1. He has definitely shifted the discussion.

The scientists get it, the insurance industry gets it, the Pentagon gets it, now even the Pope gets it.

The only thing the deniers over at the Heartland Institute are getting is lonely.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

2. Let's get serious or die.

These are our two choices.