Our common home is in urgent need of change.
In November, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), we will have a new opportunity to care for creation and reach an agreement for the world. Sign the Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition.
But what is COP26, what is its history, and why is it so important?
The acronym COP stands for Conference of the Parties. The “parties” are the signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a 1994 treaty with 197 parties (196 countries and the European Union). A year later, in March 1995, the first COP was held in Berlin, Germany.
The 2021 conference will be the 26th meeting of the Parties. The United Kingdom, in collaboration with partners from Italy, is organizing the conference.
United Nations climate change conferences are among the most important international meetings in the world. Negotiations between governments are complex and involve officials from all countries, as well as representatives of civil society and the media.
What about this year in Glasgow?
It is now necessary and urgent to take immediate action for the care of creation and to raise our voices to implement immediate actions.
From October 31 to November 12, COP26 will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, with the aim of accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Our common home and our common family are suffering. The climate emergency is causing rising seas, a warmer planet and more extreme weather.
It is devastating the lives of our poorest brothers and sisters. At the same time, biologists estimate that we are driving species to extinction at 100 to 1,000 times the usual rate. “We do not have that right” (LS 33).
This November, countries will announce their plans to meet the goals of the Paris agreement.
Considering the various risks arising from the climate crisis, this conference is looking for countries to present ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030 (NDC), and to keep the temperature increase at 1.5 degrees, to reach zero by mid-century.
We have an opportunity like no other. It is our responsibility as Catholics to raise the voices of the most vulnerable and advocate for them. Let us support Pope Francis’ message. We must act now. Sign the petition.
It is necessary and urgent to work together to achieve these goals and turn ambitions into actions, accelerating collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society. That is why as Catholics we must raise our voices to care for our common home.
Sign the Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition. We have a unique opportunity to be heard by the world’s great leaders and actively participate in the care of creation.