Pope warns of climate threat dangers

The Pope today called for urgent action to protect the environment, saying that climate change and natural catastrophes threaten basic human rights such as life, food and health.

He called on advanced societies to adopt “more sober lifestyles”, reducing energy consumption and favouring energy-efficient policies.

He said industrialised countries should also recognise their “historical responsibility” for the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming and show solidarity toward developing nations.

However, emerging countries are not exempt from their own responsibility, the Pope said in his annual message to world leaders for the Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace.

"We can no longer do without a real change of outlook which will result in new life-styles," he said, touching again on a theme that has earned him a reputation as the "green Pope".

Action was more pressing than ever “in the face of signs of a growing crisis which it would be irresponsible not to take seriously”, he said.

The Catholic Church marks the World Day of Peace on January 1, but the Pope’s message to world leaders is released by the Vatican in advance.

The message this year comes as world leaders are arriving for high-profile climate talks in Copenhagen designed to hammer out a deal to curb emissions of the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Noting that climate change, and resulting desertification, could push millions into poverty, hunger, conflict and displacement, the Pope said: “All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development.”

The Pope said industrialised countries should recognise their responsibility for the current environmental crisis and show solidarity toward developing nations. However, emerging countries are not exempt from their own responsibility and there is a need for internationally-coordinated action, he said.

Environmental protection is a theme close to the pope’s heart and he has made frequent calls to save the planet.

During his papacy, the Vatican has been taking steps toward greater environmental sustainability, joining a reforestation project aimed at offsetting its carbon emissions, and has installed solar cells on the roof of its main auditorium.