Vatican City, 11 October, 2020 / 11:30 am (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis sent a video message to the TED Countdown summit on climate change Saturday explaining how a more “integral ecology” can help the poor.
“Science tells us, with more precision every day, that urgent action is needed - and I am not exaggerating, this is what the science says - if we are to have any hope of avoiding radical and catastrophic climate change. And for this we must act now. This is a scientific fact,” Pope Francis said in the video posted online Oct. 10.
“Conscience tells us that we cannot be indifferent to the suffering of the poorest, to growing economic inequalities and social injustices. And the economy itself cannot be limited to production and distribution. It must necessarily consider its impact on the environment and the dignity of the person,” he added.
Pope Francis’ video message was one of many sent by celebrities and public figures from around the world for the virtual TED Talk summit. Prince William, Al Gore, Chris Hemsworth, and Mark Ruffalo also urged action to prevent climate change in the global launch of TED Countdown.
“We are faced with the moral imperative, and the practical urgency, to rethink many things: how we produce, how we consume, think about our culture of waste, the short-term vision, the exploitation of the poor, the indifference towards them, increasing inequalities and dependence on harmful energy sources,” the pope said.