Faith groups take climate change seriously: Cardinal Gracias

The Archbishop appreciated the government’s ambitious targets for renewable energy sources.

Mumbai:  Faith communities are already working hard to alleviate many of the world’s problems, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay wrote in an op-ed piece published by the Hindustan Times on Earth Day.

“But we can do even more by reducing emissions in homes, workplaces and centres of worship, and to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable sources of energy,” the cardinal wrote.

Cardinal Gracias was among the over 260 faith leaders from across the world who signed a declaration on April 18 calling on heads of state to implement the Paris Agreement as soon as possible, and urging the swift phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies as part of a transition to using 100% renewable energy by 2050.

About the Earth Day observed on April 22, the cardinal wrote, “This should be a day to celebrate the world; however, the current state of our planet means we must rather bemoan its condition and act to rectify them.”

He expressed concerns especially over the scenario in the country, “Step outside in India, and often you will be breathing some of the dirtiest city air on the planet. Talk a walk through our towns and villages, and you will see the foulness of our rivers.”

Cardinal Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay and a member of Pope Francis’s advisory Council of Cardinals, added: “Immorally, it is of course the poor who have contributed least to these problems that are worst impacted. For their sakes, the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, coupled with unabated and unplanned urbanization, must cease soon as possible.”

The Archbishop appreciated the government’s ambitious targets for renewable energy sources, and also the car pollution-reduction scheme implemented in Delhi.

“But that is not enough…Twenty-one countries have already proven that it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while keeping the economy growing — India could be among them, but is not.”

“That is why, Together, people of all faiths and none, let us therefore strive to make this April 22nd a reminder of how humanity is abusing our planet, a gift from God,” he concluded.

Source: The Hindustan Times