My take on Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment, ‘Laudato Si’

HE decries the abuse of the world’s environment that has caused the quality of life to deteriorate, especially for those he calls “the excluded.” They are those who despite living in a modern world where technology has made life more comfortable, more expansive and more progressive, do not in any way participate in its benefits. Rather, their lot is made worse as they are left behind economically, educationally and even environmentally when the world of trees, grass, clean water and clean air, decent housing, adequate transportation and open spaces is taken away for private gain and exclusive use by the haves. The indifference to the existence of fellow human beings who are poor brings Pope Francis to define and defend them. Indeed, he lives and practices the preferential option for the poor who take the brunt of Nature’s despoliation and its consequences. This is a truth we cannot dissemble or excuse. It has to be righted and a balance restored in our form of government, economy, society, education, basic services and the sharing of Nature as we know her goodness and healing power. Everything in the universe is inter-connected and thus what happens in the course of its existence affects all. What is happening to our environment has repercussions for everyone.

The misuse of Nature or the environment comes from the way some of us have abusively, selfishly and unilaterally claimed dominion over it for our own gain or for instant gratification together with the ignorance or indifference of the consequences. Pope Francis seems to put the blame mostly on some particular group of people, the ones who profit from doing so. In reality, it is not just them, it is all of us, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, who have equally participated in Nature’s abuse. He says there is a “throw-away” culture coming from consumer goods that are unnecessary, from fossil fuels that must be phased out, from technology that must be reined in to be less consumerist. True in many ways and for almost everyone except isolated indigenous people, who are still affected by the despoliation that ensues from “throw away.” But how does one vaporize these so-called unwanted elements in our modern life? He says a new kind of education, a change in lifestyle, abandonment of fossil fuels, new ways of understanding how to treat the environment. Perhaps it must commence with a less condemnatory tone toward some and an inclusive attitude for all who share this planet, sinners or non-sinners against the environment. Education must convince if not all, the majority and not just some so as to precipitate the change necessary.