Dear Cardinal Turkson,
dear Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Mons. Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo,
with my profound sentiments of honour and gratitude for your invitation to such an important Consultation entitled “Laudato Si’ and the path to COP 22”, to be held on next Wednesday 28 September, guided by sincere spirit of service, I would like to share with you and with all the distinguished participants the following reflections.
“Friendship is more useful to the world than the riches.” Matteo Ricci SJ (1605)
Actually this meeting demonstrates that the climate change challenge can turn into an important occasion of scientific and institutional N-S E-W cooperation, namely into a new opportunity of justice and peace.
Because Planet Earth has got just one border: that thin film of atmosphere where we all breath.
“Beside my bed a pool of light Is it hoarfrost on the ground? I lift my eyes and see the moon, I bend my head and think of home.” Li Bai (750)
Paris Agreement is really an historical milestone along the way for taking more care of Mother Earth, not only for the demanding but needful target consisting in the limit of global average temperature respect to the pre-industrial levels, but also for the fundamental principles and motivations, subscribed by 196 Countries, intimately related to the environmental concerns (intergenerational equity, climate justice, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, rights of indigenous people and migrants, need of eradication of poverty, safeguarding food security, importance of public awareness and participation), (LS, 13) “bringing the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.”
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace” Saint Francis of Assisi (1220)
In the encyclical Laudato Si’ (LS) Pope Francis has launched to all people an heartfelt appeal about our common home, firstly as regards the global problem of climate change, by analysing its grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods (LS 25), and by exploring its deepest roots from an anthropological, ethical and spiritual points of view, reaching up to the need of a conversion to an integral ecology and ultimately to an urgent request for a new, universal solidarity.
Being aware that “the same mindset which stands in the way of making radical decisions to reverse the trend of global warming also stands in the way of achieving the goal of eliminating poverty. A more responsible overall approach is needed to deal with both problems: the reduction of pollution and the development of poorer countries and regions.” (LS, 175)
“The idea that economic growth and climate action are incompatible may sound hardheaded and realistic, but it’s actually a fuzzy-minded misconception. If we ever get past the special interests and ideology that have blocked action to save the planet, we’ll find that it’s cheaper and easier than almost anyone imagines.” Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize (2014)
I’m personally convinced that such complex ethical and environmental goals are not only necessary and wise but also perfectly feasible.
“If you don’t know to which harbour you’re sailing, no wind is favourable.” Seneca (50)
The question is: what is the best way to achieve them in the shortest possible time?
Probably the most effective method to find out an answer consists in an effort of hope and imagination, averting every possible nightmare. A leap into the future, from which it is possible to glimpse the key trends, to identify the factors that can work, to raise innovative ideas (as known, the ancient Greek root of the word “idea” is “sight, vision”), to learn some useful indication.
“An integral ecology is marked by a broader vision.” (LS, 159)
A foresight scenario, through a sort of evocative/provocative “backward planning”, an introductive exercise of “logical framework approach”.1 So, let’s try to broaden and lengthen our gaze!
“We need well-trained lay people animated by a sincere and limpid faith. We need lay people with vision of the future.” Pope Francis (2016)
1 Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is a management methodology developed in 1969 for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It is largely implemented by multilateral donor organizations for country assistance programs.