As the UN Climate Conference reaches its final day in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Maryknoll Missioners from Latin America, Africa and Asia lift up the voices of those most affected by climate change in the Global South, demanding action from world leaders to save our common home.
Fr. Mike Briggs, Peru
From Peru, where the Andes mountains are losing their snow covering and the water so vital for life, and where subsistence farmers fear climate change will destroy the delicate balance of the climate they need to raise their crops, I would like to say to all the parties at COP 27: Act now to prioritize the children and future generations!
Sr. Marvie Misolas, Philippines
COP27 must address loss and damage. I call on rich nations to join the willing coalition of nations who support loss and damage finance. The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change with catastrophic levels of impact. We need resources to survive the increasing onslaught of extreme climatic events. It is code red for Filipinos now!
Fr. Joe Healey, Nairobi, Kenya
My hope for the UN COP27 Climate Summit comes from this Gikuyu, Kenya, saying: “You must treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It is loaned to you by your children. It is everybody’s duty to care for the earth.”
Lay Missioner Flavio Rocha da Silva, Brazil
As a Brazilian, I must be concerned about the future of the Amazon. It regulates the planet’s climate and ecosystems. As a water activist, I know that with no forest there will be no water. My hope for the COP27 is that those in power commit to protecting the Amazon for the future generations.
Lay Missioner Dee Dungy, Kenya
Women can spur their economic resilience with climate-adaptive measures when political inertia is mitigated around gender inequality in asset distribution and limited access to financial capital.
Sr. Pat Ryan, Peru
By November in Puno, Peru, all the grains to feed the cattle are planted. But the blessing of rain has yet to appear. The fields are barren. Climate change brings drought and drought brings hunger. Join us in prayer and commitment to concrete actions in COP 27 to curb the devastating results of not caring for Mother Earth - our common home.
Lay Missioner Peg Vamosy, El Salvador
Sustainable agriculture and care for creation produces agroecology, a food system that makes farm families more resilient to the climate changes that are already happening and will become more adverse in the future.
Returned Lay Missioner Lisa Sullivan
Developing countries are suffering from the triple crisis of debt, climate change, and nature loss. Past efforts at COP have fallen far short of needs. Debt burdens of vulnerable nations must be relieved to free resources to implement climate solutions that directly benefit their peoples.
