Letter to Senate from Bishop Ricard on Climate Change, June 16, 2005

Letter to Senate from Bishop John H. Ricard on Climate Change, June 16, 2005

"On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we urge you to support any amendment to S.10, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that will genuinely help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, particularly as they affect the poor and other vulnerable populations. 

Given that the needs of the poor are so often neglected, we urge you to place their concerns front and center during the debate about climate change.  Due to where they live and their limited resources, the poor will experience most directly the possible harmful effects of climate change, including potential escalating energy costs, work displacement and health problems. This is true here in the United States as well as abroad. Further research on the possible impact of climate change on the poor, and the need for programs to help the poor adapt and mitigate the worst effects should be a priority. 

Although the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops takes no position on many of the detailed provisions of S. 10 or pending climate change legislation, we have worked with key senators and are grateful that the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2005 specifically addresses the needs of the poor here and abroad."

 

letter-to-senate-from-bishop-ricard-on-climate-change-2005-06-16.pdf