Chapter Five I.

Dialogue on the Environment on the International

Community
1. Francis speaks of the need for a global consensus for confronting
problems. Why is it needed and how it is going to be achieved?
(164)
The environmental problems that we are facing now are happening
everywhere, globally. The state of our environment has become so
damaged by different sectors that it is no longer possible for only one
or two governments or organizations to solve the problem. Since this is
an issue cause by all of us and affecting all of us, it is only right that it
becomes an issue that is solved by as all, collectively, as a people.
Pope Francis also stresses the importance of having an
interdependent world. With this type of world, well be more aware of
the consequences of our various actions because were reminded of
how they dont just affect us but every other living or soon to be living
soul on the planet. We need to unite as humans in the same world for
one common purpose: the salvation of our environment.
Pope Francis states that if a global consensus is achieved it could
lead to many worldwide solutions such as planning a sustainable and
diversified agriculture, developing renewable and less polluting forms
of energy, encouraging a more efficient use of energy, promoting a
better management of marine and forest resources, and ensuring
universal access to potent water.
A global consensus is difficult to achieve because oftentimes, a
country puts its own needs over that of the rest of the world. Because
of that, the importance of taking action to save the environment must
be stressed and placed above the need for division of countries. World
leaders and those who have the power to help will need to sit down
and have a thorough discussion on what needs to be done. It doesnt
just end there though, based on the example of the 1992 Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro, plans mean nothing if there is not proper
implementation of them. The world needs to be strict in enforcing
environmental rules and projects. Whats more is that countries that
have more to contribute should give their support to less developed
countries that are in need of funds or resources in order to create and
continue a sustainable and environment-friendly system.
2. What international strategies does Francis oppose in responding
to the environmental crisis? (170-171), and which does he
support? (172)
Pope Francis opposes the idea of internationalizing environmental
costs in order to lower pollution gas emission calls. This is because of

how it would affect developing or undeveloped countries. It would

impose burdensome commitments onto these countries and would
only penalize those countries those in need of development. In the
end, the poor will be the ones who suffer in this situation. Pope Francis
also doesnt support the strategy of buying and selling carbon credits
because he believes that it isnt a long-term solution but rather could
become a dishonest or ineffective one. This system seems to provide
a quick and easy solution under the guise of a certain commitment to
the environment, but in now way does it allow for the radical change
which present circumstances require.
On the other hand, the strategies that he supports are the following.
First, he believes that the elimination of extreme poverty and
promotion of social development should be the two main priorities of
poor countries. They also need to challenge corruption and shed light
to the scandalous level of consumption by privileged sectors. He
believes that countries that have experiences great growth at the
expense of the planets ongoing pollution should be the main
supporters of the environmental projects and development of poorer
countries. Local authorities also need to enforce environmental rules
stringently or else nothing would be accomplished. Relations should
also be respectful between different countries in order for them to
discuss and agree on certain means of avoiding great disasters. Finally,
global regulatory norms should be imposed in order to present people
with common obligations and prevent unacceptable actions (like the
transfer of trach incident that happened between the Philippines and
Canada.)