The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns issued the following statement on June 1, 2020.
On June 30, the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released their report, “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America,” which outlines recommendations for responding to the climate crisis.
Chloe Noël, Faith Economy Ecology Project Coordinator, said of the report, “Maryknoll missioners see the devastating impacts of climate change in the ecosystems and communities where they serve worldwide. Pope Francis calls us to pursue solutions that protect our common home and include the whole human family, especially those living on the margins of society.
We commend the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for developing a plan that centers climate vulnerable communities and God’s creation at the heart of the response and that revitalizes U.S. leadership and cooperation with the international community in responding to the climate crisis.
COVID-19 has exposed great inequalities within and among countries in their ability to respond to disasters, but it has also demonstrated that we can take bold and swift action globally to prevent the worst-case scenarios. But it takes leadership. This is true for climate change, too. We are ready and eager to support policies that catalyze climate action with justice and lead to a more resilient and sustainable world.”