A Message for our Earth

The Letter tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis. The exclusive dialogue with the Pope, included in the film, offers a revealing insight into the personal history of Pope Francis and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome.

PETITION TO BE SIGNED AND SENT TO COP28 IN DUBAI :
https://chng.it/Q682XzgZkB

Introduction to science and the planetary crisis

Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperatures and climate. Since the 19th century, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, largely due to fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat from the sun around the Earth and increase temperatures.

Greenhouse gas concentrations are at their highest level in 2 million years. The past decade has been the warmest on record, and warming is expected to reach around 3.2°C by the end of the century. While this change may seem relatively minor, every fraction of a degree from the pre-industrial average results in enormous changes to the delicately balanced climate systems that sustain life.

A warmer planet means an increased risk of catastrophic consequences such as rising sea levels, severe fires, intense droughts, stronger storms and unpredictable rain. As a result, hunger and disease are increasing, conflicts are breaking out and migration is increasing. Many people around the world are already experiencing these devastating effects.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of all life on Earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems. All species, including humans, depend on each other to survive. Loss of biodiversity leads to loss of food, water and even oxygen. These elements are essential to the functioning of our societies and economies. It is a tragedy that a creature ceases to exist because of us; it is a reality that we depend on nature for our own survival.

Climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply linked. Climate change is a leading driver of biodiversity loss, and the destruction of ecosystems undermines nature’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and protect against extreme weather events. In order to protect our common home and achieve total sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology, these two crises must be addressed together.

Each of us can act to address these crises. Whether it’s using less energy or enriching the natural spaces around us, each of us is called to live within the limits set by our planet. Further information for creating your personalized action plan is available via the Laudato Si’ action platform.

Collective action is necessary and urgent. Our leaders must legislate ways to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, encourage divestment from fossil fuels, and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Beyond individual actions, political choices are essential to fight together against climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Policies shape the world we live in and are essential to creating a better future. Policymakers must understand the urgency of the ecological crisis and design better policies to effectively address it.

Strong public demand increases the likelihood that governments will prioritize climate action.

What can we do together today?

The international climate negotiations, which are taking place within the framework of “COP 28” in Qatar, will take place from November 30, 2023 to December 12, 2023. Despite the scientific consensus gathered in the IPCC reports, reductions in gas emissions greenhouse effect are not progressing sufficiently, global warming is happening faster than expected, and it is wreaking havoc on the most vulnerable communities around the world.

Last year, negotiations had some success on financing the most affected poor and vulnerable countries, but this year, UN member states must take stock of what has happened since 2015 and adoption of the Paris Agreement which set the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level (currently at 1.1-1.3°C).

We have prepared a petition that you can sign and that we will send to the Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and the Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada. We will also send it to our elected federal, provincial and municipal officials.

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Petition Project

North Hatley. November 18 2023 

PETITION TO BE SIGNED AND SENT TO COP28 IN DUBAI (November 30-December 12, 2023), and also to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Justin Trudeau and the Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Honourable Steven Guilbeault,

Previous Climate Change International Conferences have resulted in resolutions that have not been complied with in varying degrees by many countries with some opting out all together. We are seeing the existential threat of climate change worsening every year. The cruel injustice of it all is that the countries that suffer the most tend to be the poorest countries that have contributed the least to the burning of fossil fuels. And now, the wealthier and more developed countries are also suffering the effects of climate change.

To achieve the goal of limiting climate warming to the 1.5 C goal, all jurisdictions must be collectively committed to achieving it. NO country or jurisdiction can be sovereign with regard to climate change. The only jurisdiction that can successfully solve the issue is a planetary jurisdiction ie. All of humanity working together with binding legislation with enforceable penalties. This is what COP strives to do but
national interests conflict. We feel that a massive groundswell of world citizenry pressure may be necessary to accomplish this – the sooner the better. We, XXXXXXXX, want to be part of this.

An important part of COP28 will also be to allocate substantial assets to an International Loss and Damage Fund. This will help ensure better management of climate risks and help the most vulnerable countries cope with the consequences of climate change. It is also essential that we maintain the 1.5 C. rule established by the Paris Agreement of 2015. Failure of the world to comply has resulted in the United Nations Environment Program is now charting a
disastrous 3.2 C increase by 2100 if we continue on our current course!

May God help us save this sacred planet!