"TRAGIC CONSEQUENCE"

... Blessed Pope Paul VI referred to the ecological concern as "a tragic consequence" of unchecked human activity: "Due to an ill-considered exploitation of nature, humanity runs the risk of destroying it and becoming in turn a victim of this degradation". (4)

"URGENT CHALLENGE"

The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. (13)

URGENT APPEAL

I urgently appeal ... for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing and its human roots, concern and affect us all. (14)

"INSTRUMENTS OF GOD"

All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents. (14)

CLIMATE CHANGE

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. (25)

"WORST IMPACT"

Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades. Many of the poor live in areas particularly affected by phenomena related to warming, and their means of subsistence are largely dependent on natural resources and ecosystemic services such as agriculture, fishing and forestry. (25)

"TRAGIC RISE"

There has been a tragic rise in the number of migrants seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by environmental degradation. (25)

"WIDESPREAD INDIFFERENCE"

Sadly, there is widespread indifference to such suffering... Our lack of response to these tragedies involving our brothers and sisters points to the loss of that sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women upon which all civil society is founded. (25)

JOY AND HOPE

... We come together to take charge of this home which has been entrusted to us, knowing that all the good which exists here will be taken up into the heavenly feast... May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope. (244)

(Source: Encyclical Laudato si, dated May 24, 2015)