Raising Hope Climate Conference: Can we bring urgency and hope together?

Gardens at Borgo Laudato Si. Image:ET

Can we bring urgency and hope together in addressing the climate crisis? This was a key question on the second day of the 'Raising Hope for Climate Justice' Conference at Castel Gandolfo, organised by the Laudato Si' Movement and partners.

Dr Lorna Gold, Executive of the Movement, reminded us of the heights of yesterday's inspiring celebration with Pope Leo. "The message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si' is alive and well, and Pope Leo is determined to continue that message," she told around 400 faith leaders, climate experts, Catholic organisations and Christian environmental activists.

A reflection by Tomas Insua, a founder of the Movement and Chair of the Laudato Si Centre in Assisi, marked the 800th anniversary of Pope Francis' Canticle of the Creatures and the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si'. He said: "while there is much to celebrate, there is also much to lament," with mounting environmental disasters, glaciers melting, an extinction crisis, global warming, and "brutal" wars. "Laudato Si has galvanised a powerful current" he suggested, "but is it strong enough to start making a difference? He drew attention to the piece of glacier melting on the conference platform "tear by tear". Yet, he felt that Laudato Si' has "left a vibrant legacy" with care for creation now a key concern for the Church, especially in the global south.

This was underlined by Cardinal Jaime Spengler, head of both the Brazilian Bishops' Conference and the Latin American Conference of Bishops. He spoke passionately about the impact of climate change in his region, especially affecting poor and vulnerable communities. He cannot be indifferent to it. Spurred on by Laudato Si' and Catholic Social Teaching, he is part of Catholic mobilisation for November's COP30 UN Climate Conference in the Brazilian city of Belem, and part of the call will be for systemic change in the direction of justice.

The impact of Laudato Si', particularly on bringing the imperatives of urgency and hope together, were brought out in further sessions, where online participants could listen and put questions alongside those in the room.

It was widely felt that much has happened over 10 years, but that "most people in our churches at local level do not see climate change as an issue of urgency." So what can instil urgency and bring hope? "The interconnectedness of issues - social justice, environmental and peace - is now broadly understood," responded Alistair Dutton, the head of Caritas Internationalis; and he felt Pope Francis, "gave a voice to the world's poorest people who are bearing the burden of climate calamities first and hardest." So there was a call for on-going education and awareness raising.

Bishop Martin Hayes highlighted that the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference has made a groundbreaking commitment: by 2030, 30% of all church grounds in Ireland will be returned to nature. This initiative, inspired by Laudato Si' and the Church's growing ecological awareness, directly addresses the biodiversity and climate crises. Restoring green space not only protects habitats and native species, it also enhances local climate adaptation and resilience.

Priyanka Lalla, a dynamic 19-year-old UNICEF Youth Advocate and an ambassador for children's rights in Trinidad and Tobago, talked about authoring an eco-friendly children's book series. She called for schools to teach young people to think critically and engage with those in power. And she joined others to urge holding political and business leaders accountable for decisions they make in preparing for COP30. An indigenous rights defender from Ecuador, Patricia Gualinga, demanded that indigenous peoples are consulted and their knowledge of ecology valued.

Focusing on building hope, Laurence Tubiana of the Europe Climate Foundation suggested that Pope Francis changed the global climate conversation with Laudato Si', and placed justice and dignity at its centre. A key player in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, she felt the international Laudate Si' Movement has a big responsibility, "to stand up for Christian values and depolarise climate discussions as you are more in the front line than you realise." She lamented some instances of the demonising of environmental protestors.

Irish Professor John Sweeney said he would like to see faith leaders meet with decision-makers and advocate for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying, "a groundswell from faith communities is very important. US Climate activist Bill McKibben thanked faith groups for implementing divestment from fossil fuels, calling it "one of the biggest anti-corporate campaigns ever." He also welcomed the growing non-violence movement within the faith sector as an important initiative for building a safer and more sustainable world.

One question was: "How can we awake the sleeping giant of faith groups to protect God's creation?" And one answer was: "Tell them to get out there and get active." The day's sessions ended there.

However, late afternoon we walked up to the nearby Borgo Laudato Si,' part of the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Pope Francis wanted to demonstrate that the principles described in Laudato Si' could become a reality. Such a beautiful site, it includes 35 hectares of magnificent gardens and 20 hectares of agricultural and farming land, greenhouses and service buildings. The agricultural area uses a model of circular economy based on sharing, reusing, repairing, reconditioning, and recycling. Energy comes from renewable sources and training is offered on integral ecology. It was impressive.

As light dimmed a German priest called a small group of us to watch the golden sunset behind the garden's majestic cypress and umbrella pine trees - "you don't see that wonderful sight every day." He was so joyful and appreciative of the beauty of nature. It was contagious, and I hope that memory stays with me.

LINKS

Borgo Laudato Si: www.laudatosi.va/borgo-laudato-si/

Raising Hope Converence: https://raisinghope.earth/conference/