Our Common Home

So far, this year is far warmer than record-breaking 2014 with possibly even worse to come.  It seems timely for Pope Francis to release his encyclical about the environment.

[A] number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a result of human activity.

Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades.

We all know that it is not possible to sustain the present level of consumption in developed countries and wealthier sectors of society, where the habit of wasting and discarding has reached unprecedented levels. The exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still have not solved the problem of poverty.

The Pope seems to be making a moral argument for how we should live and makes connections between environmental and social problems.  Of course, it's causing the climate deniers to have a fit.

Update (June 20):  Bob Cesca points out that the Pope directly counters the conservative notion of "dominion":

The Pope, here, is completely undermining the religious cornerstone for the entire GOP position on the climate, as well as pollution, animals and nature in general. Simply put: Sorry, no, the Bible doesn’t give us the power to ruin the planet for humans or other forms of life.

Update (June 24):  Other religious leaders support the Pope's message.