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Blog_The Paris agreement on climate change


A few months ago, the whole world witnessed one of the most important agreements on how to fight against climate change. From November 30 to December 11, 2015, representatives from 195 countries gathered, discussed and mainly agreed to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius; and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further, to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

After the agreement, important personalities commented on this historic treaty, as posted in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon observed: “We have entered a new era of global cooperation on one of the most complex issues ever to confront humanity. For the first time, every country in the world has pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and join in common cause to take common climate action. This is a resounding success for multilateralism.”

Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: “One planet, one chance to get it right and we did it in Paris. We have made history together. It is an agreement of conviction. It is an agreement of solidarity with the most vulnerable. It is an agreement of longterm vision, for we have to turn this agreement into an engine of safe growth.”

However, not all share the enthusiasm following this agreement. Globally- influential climate activist Yeb Saño returned home to the Philippines disappointed, after having trekked 1,500 km from Rome to Paris in a multi-faith and environmental entourage — called the “People’s Pilgrimage." He explained his disappointment in this way: “The nations that agreed to this outcome cannot take sanctuary under a diplomatic resolution that risks trivializing the suffering of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable." In other words, the quality of life of developing, poorer countries will not be essentially changed. The most powerful and richest nations stand to benefit the most.

Looking at these two perspectives as a result of the Paris Agreement makes me question our own particular reality, the territory of the Archdiocese of Miami and its people. As a high school theology teacher, what actions can I commit to and invite my students to do to further the Paris Agreement? As an instructor for the Certification Program of the Office of Catechesis, how can I motivate my fellow teachers and catechists to reach out to the poor — those most vulnerable to climate change? I think that the answer involves a strong foundation on compassion and mercy.

According to Donald Demarco, professor emeritus at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo, Ontario, compassion “which is rooted in love, takes on the pain of the sufferer, but with the hope that some positive good will emerge from this shared suffering.”

But what if the other does not want to see another’s suffering, or simply does not care about it? I think this is what is happening. Many individuals and groups don’t care because there is nothing in it for them; there is no instant gratification that motivates us to act upon the suffering of the other. This attitude is a consequence of what Pope Francis calls, in his latest encyclical, Laudato Si’, practical relativism in which a person “sees everything as irrelevant unless it serves one’s own immediate interest” (122).

As teachers, how can we combat this attitude? An attempt to answer this question is not an easy task. However, what if in this Year of Mercy proclaimed by the Pope we agree to be merciful towards ALL and with Mother Earth? Let’s agree to live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. As Pope Francis says, by doing so they will enable us “to enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy.” (15)

If you see the logic and wisdom of this resolution you will work to take on some of the pain of the sufferers whom you know directly or through a consciousness of world events. A mutual hope follows from just such empathy, the hope that some positive good will emerge. This is the heart of compassion.

By trying to make even a little difference in attitude and action toward the poor we will not trivialize the suffering of the poorest and most vulnerable, as Sano said after the Paris Agreement. As Catholics, we will demonstrate that we not only see the problems of the developing countries, but we make a judgment to act.

What will you do to see, judge and act in compassion?

 

Comments from readers

Michele P. MacEachern - 04/20/2016 08:30 PM
BBE, Nelson! Best Blog Ever! Each of us certainly has a serious duty to perform to demonstrate a sincere stewardship of creation.
Lucina Comeau Hall - 04/19/2016 01:46 AM
Betty I certainly agree, my a/c has been off with the lovely weather we are having in south florida,living in an archdiocese rental it conserve their energy,also I use clothes racks to dry my clothes on the great outdoors! I have been doing so for the last 38 yrs, I have lived in Florida! I cannot have a clothes line wish I could, there is nothing prettier than watching clothes flap in the wind hanging to dry, as for diapers I had no children my mother raised 10of us children without disposable diapers I remember one day helping her handwash my younger siblings diapers as I was hannging these diapers I counted 36 beautiful handmade diapers made by my mothers and I's hands!
Betty Metzger - 04/18/2016 03:21 PM
I am trying to set my Air Conditioner at 79 or 80 degrees or off. Many poor people don't have A/C. Also I suggest that any child in diapers would be much more comfortable not using the Disposable Diapers. And the Landfills would not be as full. I would rather see a Mother have a washing machine instead of Disposable Diapers any time. Also if Mothers would breastfeed and learn how to make their own baby food. I raised 12 children by using the above suggestions. Love, Betty

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