Cabrini University community,
Pope Francis, in his encyclical letter on ecology, Laudato Si, or ‘Praised Be,’ wrote, “A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. (23)” The Pope goes on to write: “Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades. (25)”
Climate change is a social justice issue since poorer nations will suffer the most from extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels, leading to food insecurity, increased displacement, and sanitation issues, among other consequences.
The Paris Agreement, which 195 countries agreed to in 2015, was designed to combat global climate change on a global scale. The Paris Agreement was a great first step toward climate justice and the preservation of our planet for future generations.
As a Catholic university committed to justice, Cabrini University believes that the United States of America—as the world’s largest and most developed economy—must recommit to the Paris Agreement in solidarity with the rest of the world. What’s more, America has a duty to be a global leader in responsible environmental stewardship and climate justice.
As a university and as a nation, we should heed the words of Pope Francis from Laudato Si: “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home…Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded. (13)”
Sincerely,
Donald B. Taylor, PhD
President
Cabrini University