USCCB Chairmen Urge Congress to Provide International Funding for Climate Change

WASHINGTON— In a letter to membersof Congress today, Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Bishop Oscar Cantú urge theUnited States to support international climate assistance during the year-endappropriations process. The bishops request that Congress dedicate $10 millionto the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), theinternational body that guides climate policy.

The letterappeals to the responsibility to care for the common good and affirms that the"blessings of God's creation and the duty to care for thecommon good overflow beyond our borders, especially when it comes to the airand climate shared with all peoples and creatures living on the planet."

The UNFCCCfacilitates international cooperation on climate change through initiativessuch as the annual U.N. Climate Change Conference, which is currently takingplace in Bonn, Germany. Two years ago, this conference resulted in the ParisClimate Agreement, from which the United States intends to withdraw. The U.S.bishops have expressed disappointment about the decision to not uphold thisagreement that is based on unified global action against climate change.

"Restrictingfunding to the UNFCCC will only weaken the ability of the United States todialogue in the international arena using a common language based on the bestscience available," said Bishops Dewane and Cantú.

"By supporting the UNFCCC, theUnited States can direct attention and resources towards adaptation measuresthat help all people, especially the poor, adapt to the effects of climatechange globally," continued the bishops. "By doing so, our nation can betterpursue the national interest, support credible climate research and promote thecommon good within and beyond our borders."

Bishop Dewane of Venice, Florida, is chairman of theCommittee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Bishop Cantú of Las Crucesis chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the USCCB.

The full text of the letter can befound here: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/upload/UNFCCC-letter-2017-11-10.pdf.

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Keywords:  Bishop Oscar Cantú, Las Cruces, New Mexico,Bishop Frank Dewane, Venice, Florida, Committee on Domestic Justice and HumanDevelopment, Committee on International Justice and Peace, Pope Francis, USCCB,U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, climate change, creation,environment, Environmental Justice Program, Laudato si'.

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