Climate change is real and is happening right now. Still don’t believe it? Better believe our beloved Pope Francis. At the end of a two-day conference in the Vatican, Pope spoke to a crowd containing executives of some of the biggest oil companies, investors and experts.
The pope urged oil companies to reduce the use of fossil fuel and spoke about how the climate change is destroying civilization. He also emphasized the importance of access of energy to all in order to fight poverty and hunger.
“(The society involves)…massive movement of information, persons and things requires an immense supply of energy,” said the pope. “But that energy should also be clean, by a reduction in the systematic use of fossil fuels,” he said, referring to the importance of clean energy to combat climate change.
“Our desire to ensure energy for all must not lead to the undesired effect of a spiral of extreme climate changes due to a catastrophic rise in global temperatures, harsher environments and increased levels of poverty.”
“Civilization requires energy but energy use must not destroy civilization,” he said.
ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Norway’s Equinor and Pemex of Mexico were the high profile firms present at the conference.
This is not the first time the pope showed concern over climate change and global warming. The pope has been vocal on the risk climate change poses on a sustainable future and the need to protect our planet.
The need to produce more and more clean energy is imminent but the figure shows that the energy consumption from oil and gas sector is likely to grow in near future. The growing demand cannot be fulfilled by solar and wind power.
The figures are scary but we cannot lose hope. With the pope on our side, now the situation doesn’t seem out of hand. Let’s stay positive.