Nairobi - On the eve of the critical COP21 climate conference in Paris, Pope Francis has called on world leaders to make decisions on climate change that will address poverty and inequality.
“We're facing a stark choice to either improve or destroy the environment. Climate change is a global problem and there's a need to take account of the fundamental rights of the poor and underprivileged,” he said here on his first official visit to Africa.
Nations of the world are supposed to reach an agreement at COP21 what will bring all of them for the first time into a comprehensive undertaking to cut carbon emissions and so keep the rise in the world's average temperate to less than two degrees Celcius above its pre-industrial level.
“We are hopeful that Cop 21 will achieve global principles of equality; justice and participation. What we need is sincere and open dialogue with responsible cooperation,” the Pope said at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) offices in Gigiri, Nairobi yesterday.
He noted business interests should not override interests that support the common person.
“It is a sad reality that the most vulnerable populations to climate change injustices are the least involved in climate degradation. We need to re-think and correct dysfunctions during the Paris agreement ...,” he said.
The rise of urbanisation had led to a disproportionate growth which had become unhealthy, he said, calling for proper urban planning and maintenance. He also raised concerns about the tremendous wastage and throw-away culture in the world.
The Pope also expressed concern that the world was increasingly becoming “indifferent to the suffering of others,” citing in particular the trafficking of humans, and the rise in the number of immigrants who had left their homes due to environmental degradation. Yet climate change talks did little to recognise them, he said.
“Many lives, many stories, many dreams are being shattered today, we cannot remain indifferent to this.” He also called for action against the illegal trafficking of blood diamonds and ivory.
Kenya has been hit by a surge of poaching menace that has cost it thousands of its elephants. “We cannot be silent about forms of illegal trafficking which arise in situations of poverty. Social breakdown has increased violence and especially drug trafficking which is growing among the young people who have lost identity,” he noted.
Earlier on in the day on Thursday the Pope had cautioned against violence in the name of religion by young people saying it was unwarranted and dialogue was vital between religious leaders to avert such cases.
Pope Francis also said that commercial relationships among states could be built at next month's World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Nairobi that would help the development of people.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner applauded the Pope for confronting injustice and intolerance that has enhanced harmony in society. He noted that Earth would soon be required to support 9 million people and reminded world leaders that each one had a responsibility and obligation to act on climate change.
The Pope finalised his 3 day visit in Nairobi today and makes his way to Uganda and the unstable Central African Republic to finalise his tour of Africa.
AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY