Manila (AsiaNews) - With Paris Summit coming up next month, the Catholic bishops of the Philippines have formulated some concrete steps people can take to start saving the planet. This includes planting trees, walking rather than driving, and not using plastic bags.
In his encyclical Laudato si’ on the care of the common home, Pope Francis called on churches worldwide to make a concrete commitment to the environment. “I have high hopes, and believe that the United Nations must take a greater interest in this phenomenon,” the pontiff said during a meeting with world mayors.
In a statement ‘On Climate Change: Understand, Act Pray,’ CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas called on the faithful to act against global warming.
In particular, he urged Catholic parishes, schools, and youth to support actions to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030. For him, anyone of good will can do this.
Here are some of the bishops’ tips: grow a tree; switch off and unplug; say good bye to plastic; segregate; reduce, reuse and recycle; do not burn wastes; promote renewable energy; bring your own tumbler; use energy efficient appliances; walk, bike or carpool; recycle electronics and batteries; raise environmental and energy awareness; save water; use pails, dippers, and cups; think before you print; and support earth products.
“The urgency is clear. Global warming, caused by the way we human beings use this planet, is no longer disputable,” he added.