In the opening chapter of Laudato Si\u2019, Pope Francis makes it abundantly clear that he is no climate change denier. In- deed, he devotes the entire chapter to carefully chronicling what is happening to our planet, confronting us with enough facts and statistics that the reality of global climate change is irrefutable, something \u201cwe can no longer sweep under the carpet\u201d (LS 19). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He examines air, soil, and water pollution as well as pollution caused by waste, noting that the \u201cearth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth\u201d (LS 21). He gives extensive attention to the diminished availability of fresh, clean water. He provides a trenchant analysis of the costly loss of biodiversity through the destruction of tropical rain forests, wetlands, and coral reefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Threaded throughout the entire chapter \u2013 as well as all of Laudato Si\u2019 \u2013 is Francis\u2019 persistent argument that the poor suffer disproportionately from the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. Theirs are the \u201cmillions of premature deaths\u201d (LS 20). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are the multitudes who \u201chave no other financial activities or resources which can enable them to adapt to climate change or toface natural disasters,\u201d realities that force them \u201cto leave their homes, with great uncertainty for their future and that of their children.\u201d Worst of all, their desperation is com- pounded by the \u201cwidespread indifference\u201d of people who, in their comfort and security, feel scant responsibility for their suffering sisters and brothers (LS 25). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cIndeed, when all is said and done, they frequently remain at the bottom of the pile.\u201d<\/p>\nLS 49<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Francis concludes this opening chapter with what now should be obvious: \u201cBut we need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And ends with an observation of Pope John Paul II that should trouble our conscience: \u201cIf we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has disappointed God\u2019s expectations\u201d (LS 61).<\/p>\n\n\n\n