‘Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis

THIS article raises the level of awareness about the deep concern of Pope Francis on the phenomenon of climate change.

The book entitled “Laudato Si,” an encyclical letter of the Holy Father on the “care of our common home”—Mother Earth, is very apt for the Philippines.

In a complete sentence, “Laudato Si’… mi’ Signore” means: Praise be to you, my Lord.”

The full name of Pope Francis, being the author, is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The book was released, coinciding with the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, last year.

Note, too, that the book was written prior to the Paris Convention on Climate Change, yet its key points prophesied the theme of the convention.

Of all authors, it had to be our beloved Pope Francis to expound deeply on a most relevant issue.

The book was cascaded to bishops, priests and seminarians in seminars but never to the public.  This is the first attempt to share the knowledge and wisdom of our beloved Pope Francis on a phenomenon that has become a reality, yet still seemingly unappreciated by the majority of Filipinos.

The encyclical expresses that our “Common Home” is like a “sister,” its Mother Earth. She sustains and governs us with fruits, flower and herbs.  But this “sister” or Mother Earth now cries.  Harm has been inflicted upon her by irresponsible use and abuse of goods God has given her and are evident in soil, water, air and all forms of life.  Mother Earth is now burdened, wasted, maltreated, groans in travail.

Article-3 of the encyclical articulated three past Popes, who espoused the same principle on issues of climate change enunciated 50 years ago, but all these have remained unheeded.

Pope Saint John XXIII, around 50 years ago, proposed peace and dialogue about our Home. Pope Paul VI, in 1971, expressed ecological concern as a “tragic consequence” due to exploitation that degrades nature due to explosion of industrial civilization. If unheeded, the danger is that Mother Earth could turn against man.

Saint John Paul II expressed that human beings seem to see no other meaning in their natural environment than what serves for immediate use and consumption. Little effort had been made to safeguard human ecology.

Authentic human development has a moral character. It presumes full respect for human person, but must take nature as “its mutual connection.”

“Scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades has been caused by the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a result of human activity. Concentrated in the atmosphere, these gases do not allow the warmth of the sun’s rays reflected by the earth to be dispersed in space. The problem is aggravated by development based on intensive use of fossil fuels (coal and diesel) which are at the heart of the worldwide energy system.”

“Our Home” is blessed with the power of the sun and wind, yet not fully tapped.  Economic justifications citing cheaper fossil fuels versus expensive renewable energy sources still prevail despite damage to our Mother Earth, which is more costly over the long run and damage irreparable.

Those in the renewable energy business would be pleased to see details of Article-26.  The article claims that “Many who possess more resources, economic and political power, seem mostly to be concerned with masking the problems or concealing symptoms of climate change. There is an urgent need to develop policies so that emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced substituting fossil fuel and developing sources of renewable energy.  Worldwide, there is minimal access to lean and renewable energy.”

What is also of interest is when the Pope stated: “There is a need to develop adequate storage technologies.” This can be interpreted as the battery storage facility powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.

Article-13 is Pope Francis’ “Appeal.”  He calls everyone to: “Protect common home; bring everyone together to have a sustainable and integral development; guarantee the protection of the home which we share; reduce environmental degradation on the lives of the poor; the young must build their future through environmental means; new dialogue to protect the home, the future of our planet.”

The Pope claims that many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environment crisis have proved ineffective due to: Powerful opposition, Lack of interest, Obstructionists attitudes, Denial of problem, Indifference, Nonchalant resignation, Blind confidence in technical solutions.

We need a new universal solidarity: “We need to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation.”

Article-51 claims that “We note businesses which operate this way are multinationals.  They do here what they would never do in developed countries or the so called first world.  Generally, after ceasing their activity and withdrawing, they leave behind great human and environmental liabilities such as unemployment, abandoned towns, the depletion of natural reserves, deforestation, the impoverishment of agriculture and local stock breeding, open pits, riven hills, polluted rivers and a handful of social works which are no longer sustainable.”

This particular article is an expression of realities that investment funds are mainly applied for exploration and least applied unto restoration which might deplete returns on investments.

The book offers other dimensions that are relevant to the times. It could be best integrated into the world of the academe as an investment upon the next generations to come.  Indeed, it is compelling that we look at “Our Home,” and how best to preserve the best gift ever given to all of mankind, our “Mother Earth.”  Laudato Si’… mi’ Signore.

(The article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or MAP.  The author is a member of the MAP CSR Committee and the President for Projects of nv vogt Philippines Solar Energy One, Inc. Feedback at <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>.  For previous articles, please visit <map.org.ph>)