Editorial | Susan Hines-Brigger

Welcome Back, America

When 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 insurrec- Nations. 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. “Praised be you, my Lord, through our as the seventh-generation

The goal of the agree- Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and principle, which states ment is to limit global directs us, bringing forth all kinds of fruits that the decisions we make warming to 2 degrees and colored flowers and herbs.” today should result in a Celsius, preferably to 1.5 sustainable world seven degrees, above preindus—St. Francis of Assisi generations 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 emitthe agreement when President Donald Trump announced ter of carbon dioxide in the world (China is first), the United that he would withdraw the United States from the accord as States needs to be part of the solution. soon as possible. The move was no surprise given that he had Last September, Pope Francis urged nations to fight global stated his intentions to do so even before being elected. warming according to the climate accord, saying: “Our con-

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the news stant demand for growth and an endless cycle of production via Twitter, stating: “Today we begin the formal process of and consumption are exhausting the natural world. Forests withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The United States is are leached, topsoil erodes, fields fail, deserts advance, seas proud of our record as a world leader in reducing all emis- acidify, and storms intensify. Creation is groaning!” sions, fostering resilience, growing our economy, and ensur- When we focus on only the present moment, we’re losing ing energy for our citizens. Ours is a realistic and pragmatic sight of tomorrow. Rejoining the Paris Agreement is one step model.” in the right direction.