‘COP ON’
Jesuits and their colleagues across the world are moving into action to try and influence decisions made at COP28 and they want the public to support their work. The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Jesuit Missions UK, Eco Jesuits, and other groups globally including JESC are campaigning, writing, and praying for more effective climate change decisions to emerge this November/December when COP28 takes place »
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual gathering of countries that are part of the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP 28 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, scientists, and civil society representatives to discuss and address pressing climate issues and the meetings should serve as a platform for negotiating and implementing international climate agreements.
The JCFJ, through JESC are making a letter publically available and urging the public here in Ireland to download and sign it » before forwarding it to their local TD or MEP. The letter was crafted by e Pedro Walpole SJ and his EcoJesuit group with input from the JCFJ for distribution in other countries also. They will also provide an information guide to COP28 on their website with regular updates on the progress of the conference once it starts. Click here to receive newsletter updates »
They are also making available a wide variety of blog posts on various themes around integral ecology, posted by Jesuits and colleagues around the world.
Pope Francis, in his latest communication on the care of the earth Laudate Deum, turns his attention to the various climate conferences held to date and concludes that international negotiations are not making significant progress, “due to positions taken by countries which place their national interests above the global common good”.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming Dubai COP 28 gathering Pope Francis notes that “To say that there is nothing to hope for would be suicidal, for it would mean exposing all humanity, especially the poorest, to the worst impacts of climate change.” But we cannot search merely for a technological solution to our problems or “We risk remaining trapped in the mindset of pasting and papering over cracks, while beneath the surface there is a continuing deterioration to which we continue to contribute…May those taking part in the Conference be strategists capable of considering the common good and the future of their children, more than the short-term interests of certain countries or businesses”
JCFJ, along with their partners, Jesuit Missions UK and JESC is asking that COP28 ensures progress on Loss and Damage, makes food systems a priority, and prepares the transition for a better future.
