U.S. Catholic Bishops Call For Action On Global Warming

Environmental Defense praised an announcement today by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops calling for action now to mitigate global climate change. The announcement was issued at the National Conference annual meeting being held this week in Atlanta.

The announcement notes that “most experts agree that something significant is happening to the atmosphere,” and calls it “prudent not only to continue to research and monitor this phenomenon, but to take steps now to mitigate possible negative effects in the future.”

The Bishops’ announcement notes the United States “because of the blessings God has bestowed on our nation and the power it possesses” has a “special responsibility in its stewardship of God’s creation and to shape responses that serve the entire human family.”

“This statement by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops comes at a crucial moment in the climate change debates and for the Earth,” said Environmental Defense executive director Fred Krupp. “Environmental Defense appreciates the leadership of the Catholic Bishops in calling for prudent action to protect Earth when much of the debate over what to do about global warming is so polarized.”

“Environmental Defense also believes the U.S. has a special obligation to take the lead on reducing the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet and threatening our future,” said Krupp. “Yet so far, the Bush administration has failed to show that leadership. Environmental Defense will continue to call on the Bush administration and other leaders to stop the rancorous debate and take real action now to slow global warming. Climate change is the most serious threat our planet now faces; we at Environmental Defense hope that the compassion and leadership shown by the Catholic Bishops and others can move the world beyond politics and toward real action to protect the planet.”