Writer: Jenny Staletovitch
MIAMI -- Florida politicians have a duty to address the perils of climate
change even if they don't believe humans are hastening its grave consequences,
Pope Francis' chief adviser on climate change said in an interview with the
Miami Herald before addressing a weekend conference on climate, nature and
society at St. Thomas University law school.
Cardinal Peter Turkson said: "Anybody running for public office who
sees the life of the people affected by climate-related disasters" needs
to act.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, Pope Francis's Adviser
That, he said, includes the state's two Republican presidential contenders --
former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio -- who remain skeptical of the
science tying climate change to increased carbon emissions.
"You'll not be shocked by this," Turkson added. "I also
know of a cardinal or two who don't believe
As president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, which also
includes St. Thomas human rights professor Roza Pati, Turkson played a critical
role in helping Francis draft the historic encyclical released last year.
Leading up to the United Nations Paris talks that ended with a global pact to
reduce carbon emissions, the manifest put the pope squarely in the middle of
the debate, drawing praise for adding his significant influence to the issue
and flack for meddling with what critics called a secular topic.
"One letter to me said the pope is about to turn a lie into a
doctrine," said Turkson, who was born in Ghana and, as a member of the
Francis's advisory council, is considered a contender to be the next pope.
"It's not been smooth sailing in all regards."
While Francis' encyclical was not the first time the church weighed in on
climate change -- in a 2009 address to the United Nations, Pope Benedict XVI
called for a "responsible stewardship" -- Francis' encyclical laid
out a forceful blueprint. Turkson said about a year before it was released last June, Francis "expressed a desire to develop an
encyclical" during a "routine" business meeting.
Turkson said a "small draft" was prepared, from which the
192-page encyclical grew. When asked about what the pope personally added,
Turkson said church officials preferred not to talk about how church manifests
are composed.
"I'll be frank. I myself have resisted taking the draft and looking at
it," he said.
Because the issue is so critical, Turkson said church officials decided it
was important to extend their message beyond church borders. Bishops around the
world were prepped and coached on how to best answer questions from the media.
The encyclical was also released a month before the Vatican hosted a conference
for mayors from around the globe pledging to support the U.N.'s sustainable
development goals to combat climate change as well as poverty, hunger and
inequality.
Turkson said the church is also trying to reduce its own carbon footprint
and has met with a solar panel manufacturer in Rome. In April, the Vatican is
planning an event to talk about the challenges to creating greener businesses.
The encyclical's statement on climate change was an early signal Francis
would not be afraid to venture into charged political issues. Most recently, he
called Donald Trump's plans to build a wall along the Mexican border "not
Christian."
In his St. Thomas address, Turkson reminded his Miami audience the
encyclical is meant more as a social contract than climate manifest.
"While those in coastline mansions have the money to move if
needed," he said. "The worst suffering will hit the poorest areas
where residents are barely getting by."
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