The latest papal encyclical is not an instant poll or a snapshot. Only time will help us gauge its true impact on society in general, way beyond the realm of the Roman Catholic Church.
Spearheaded as the Church happens to be by a great communicator and also the first one to hail from the developing world, what struck me most was the encyclical’s strong sense of urgency and immediacy.
While some took offence that a Church document on the environment, climate change and sustainability relied on scientific evidence rather than solely on moral ground, in my opinion, this is exactly what lifted it way beyond rhetoric.
Ottmar Edenhofer, chief economist of the Potsdam Institute For Climate Impact Research, which I had the opportunity to visit when forming part of a parliamentary delegation, said it all when he advised that one should never underestimate the soft power of moral arguments.
The underlying theme of the encyclical is the ecological deficit, compounded by the ever-widening poverty gap between the global North and South.
It is no strange coincidence that climate change impacts most on those who are poorest and most vulnerable.
The Pope did not only target the big powers, who have done their best to stall the negotiating process on climate issues, but also his own area and continent, which has been, over the years, rather obstructionist on this agenda.
To my mind, the encyclical is more about sustainability and use of resources than solely climate change. Climate action is just one major component, so much so that it focuses equally on socio-economic aspects as much as on environmental ones and purely political considerations, particularly where the necessary political will and strong leadership qualities are often lacking.
In one breath, the encyclical takes on board various challenges: the need for a different lifestyle, energy consumption, methods of production, social inequalities, overdependence on technical solutions, the threat to our ecosystems, the fact that climate change is mankind-triggered.
This all goes way beyond a mere expression of faith. It is a call for reason and common sense
If the Pope hogged the headlines with the encyclical and its leaked version, I can see him gaining far more mileage and leaving a far bigger impact when he addresses the UN General Assembly and the Joint Congressional sitting in the USA in September.
We have often heard calls to phase out fossil fuel dependence but never with such moral authority and such a forceful call.
At the core of the Pope’s concerns are strong social and justice issues too. Indeed, some even argued that, rather than being a green manifesto, he has instead opted for a modern way of imparting social teaching.
With the UN climate chief hailing from his continent too, it was interesting to note her reaction, wherein she stated that he underscored the moral imperative for urgent climate action.
Coming so close to the Paris COP 21 meeting in December, these socio-economic, environmental and moral imperatives can only give added momentum to the whole debate, including the road to Paris and beyond.
Even the World Bank felt compelled to argue and accept the intrinsic link between climate change and poverty.
Between the lines, another underlying theme of the encyclical is a biting critique of consumerism itself. The Pope did not hesitate in pointing an accusing finger at developed, industrialised countries, which, in his opinion, are obliged to help poorer nations confront such a global crisis.
This is not only the first time that a pope has written an encyclical about environmental damage but, more importantly, he is proposing an intriguing coalition between faith and science.
Although primarily targeting politicians, the Pope’s call was addressed to ordinary people, hoping they would pressure their representatives for change.
There is also something eclectic about this encyclical because it not only draws on various sources but also underscores its message with a strong sense of universality.
It is not true that the Pope came out against technological pro-gress. He actually praised progress achieved by economic growth and technology, especially in the medicine, science and engineering sectors.
What he rejected was the belief that technology and prevailing economic thinking will address environmental and poverty reduction challenges and issues.
He even includes urban planning, agricultural economics, biodiversity and architecture itself.
A strong believer in values, he rejects the imposition of new values as a result of short-termism.
The fact that, within hours, the Pope won the support and appreciation of a wide spectrum, ranging from the UN Secretary General to faith groups and charitable institutions, says it all.
This all goes way beyond a mere expression of faith. It is a call for reason and common sense.
Arguably and hopefully it should provide a window of opportunity for us all, especially when he almost addresses the forthcoming climate summit directly by claiming that international negotiations cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries that place their national interests above the global common good.
Leo Brincat is Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.