Director Of Catholics In Alliance For The Common Good: 'There's No Room To Debate Idea That We Must Do Better On Climate Change'
By Dom Giordano
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Christopher Hale, Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good spoke with Talk Radio 1210 WPHT midday host Dom Giordano about Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change.
"I do think that there needs to be global cooperation to address climate change and I think the Pope supports. We have this big United Nations conference coming up in Paris in November, so, I don't think it's simply an American problem needing an American solution. I think it's a global solution."
When it comes down to what Catholics should do about Pope Francis' letter, Hale feels that they are " bound to listen to it and take it seriously."
"I think the details are somewhat negotiable, but the overall broad message is not that we are called to care, protect, sustain, and develop creation. I think that message can't be lost and I think Francis is lifting up an issue and I thinks it's now time for the church—I think there's legitimate room to debate this issue but there is no room to debate the idea that we must do better. I think it's clear on Francis' document and my perspective we have not done our job well. So, I think there has to be a better job done."
On of the ways that he feels would help in this fight against climate change is a call to end the "sinful over consumption" that primarily happens in the United States.
"Our product waste is number one in the world. Meat consumption alone in the United States, the amount of water it takes to produce one pound of meat is something that I think Pope Francis would say is egregious. I think there has to be a calling for global solidarity...The idea that we consume less so that others can simply live."
