Pope urges action on climate change - Friends of the Earth reaction
18 June 2015by foeeurope -- last modified 18 June 2015
Commenting on the Pope’s Encyclical on climate change published on Thursday, 18 June, Friends of the Earth’s head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:
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"The Pope has shown impressive and inspiring leadership where many elected leaders have failed. He is both a friend of the earth and of the millions of people in poorer, vulnerable nations whose lives are already being shattered by extreme weather.
"People across the UK and in scores of other nations are also showing leadership in their communities - resisting dirty energy, reaping the benefits of clean, renewable power and protecting neighbourhoods from flooding and drought. The tragedy is that too many governments are currently in thrall to big vested interests and are failing their people.
"The Pontiff's encyclical cuts across the murky politics of climate change and will inspire people way beyond his own church community.
"In the run up to the critical climate summit in Paris and in its aftermath, politicians must follow his lead, ditch dirty energy vested interests and unleash the massive potential of the clean economy."
Friends of the Earth Europe is the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups.
Friends of the Earth