POINTSOFVIEW | EDITORIAL
By Susan Hines-Brigger
Welcome Back, America
CNS PHOTO/JIM LO SCALZO/POOL VIA REUTERS
W
hen you ask people about St. Francis, one of the first During an address to the United Nations Food and things many mention is his love of creation. In his Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome, “Canticle of the Creatures,” he praises the holiness of the Pope Francis responded to the move, saying, “We see conmany elements of creation, including our earth. Given the sequences of climate change every day. Thanks to scientific state of our environment these days, though, we’re certainly knowledge, we know how we have to confront the problem, not honoring that holiness. and the international community has also worked out the In January of this year, however, we made a step toward legal methods, such as the Paris Accord, which, sadly, some once again embracing Mother Earth when, in one of his have abandoned.” first acts in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive Luckily, the withdrawal was not immediate. According to order stating that the United States will be rejoining the Paris the agreement, no country could give notice to leave until Climate Agreement. three years had passed from the date of ratification. Even The move, though very then, a member state still important, quickly became had to serve a 12-month lost amid news stories and notice period to the United commentary on insurrecNations. Those stipulations tion and impeachment. But meant that, even though on February 17, the reentry Trump had announced the became official. departure, it would not The United States first take effect until after the joined the agreement in November 2020 election, December 2015 when leaving the ultimate deciPresident Barack Obama sion up to the new presiannounced that the United dent. States would partner with 189 other countries to find PART OF THE PROBLEM ways to combat climate AND SOLUTION change and adapt to its There is an ancient effects. The Vatican also Iroquois philosophy known signed on to the agreement. as the seventh-generation “Praised be you, my Lord, through our The goal of the agreeprinciple, which states Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and ment is to limit global that the decisions we make directs us, bringing forth all kinds of fruits warming to 2 degrees today should result in a and colored flowers and herbs.” Celsius, preferably to 1.5 sustainable world seven —St. Francis of Assisi degrees, above preindusgenerations into the future. trial levels. Even though Given the state of the clithe agreement was signed in December 2015, the treaty only mate now, we are not buying into this philosophy. came into force in November 2016. Climate change is no longer a problem we can continue to kick down the road, bantering back and forth about whether A STEP BACKWARD it’s real or not. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a life issue In June 2017, however, the United States backed away from with real-life implications. And, as the second highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world (China is first), the United the agreement when President Donald Trump announced that he would withdraw the United States from the accord as States needs to be part of the solution. Last September, Pope Francis urged nations to fight global soon as possible. The move was no surprise given that he had warming according to the climate accord, saying: “Our constated his intentions to do so even before being elected. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the news stant demand for growth and an endless cycle of production and consumption are exhausting the natural world. Forests via Twitter, stating: “Today we begin the formal process of are leached, topsoil erodes, fields fail, deserts advance, seas withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The United States is acidify, and storms intensify. Creation is groaning!” proud of our record as a world leader in reducing all emisWhen we focus on only the present moment, we’re losing sions, fostering resilience, growing our economy, and ensuring energy for our citizens. Ours is a realistic and pragmatic sight of tomorrow. Rejoining the Paris Agreement is one step in the right direction. model.” StAnthonyMessenger.org | April 2021 • 15
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