The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling on Congress to pass urgent climate legislation that will address “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” Catholics are invited to carry the urgent appeal to their representatives in Congress.
Take action: Call on Congress to pass climate legislation
“The U.S. bishops are encouraged by the historic $555 billion suite of climate investment policies proposed in Congress, including tax incentives to support existing and emerging technologies in clean energy, resilience investments focused on protecting low-income and minority communities, and incentives to decarbonize the economy. Such investments are necessary if the US is to reach its current Paris Agreement goals to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030,” the bishops wrote.
Tere Flores Onofre, Deputy Director of Network Engagement for Laudato Si’ Movement, echoed the bishops’ call for action. “This is an important action for all Catholics to take, especially given the urgent need to address the climate crisis,” she said.
Onofre noted that in 2019, about nine million people died prematurely because of air pollution, according to a study, and that the climate legislation now being considered could save hundreds of thousands of lives. The legislation, called the “Build Back Better Act,” passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in November, but has stalled in the U.S. Senate.
“This is why Catholics and people of good will need to call on their senators to pass this urgent and critical legislation to reduce emissions and save lives,” she said.
Take action: Call on Congress to pass climate legislation
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