Planetary Health Matters: The time for faith in action is now

The late Pope Francis in Tacloban, the Philippines, on Jan 17, 2015. A strong ally of the conservation movement, Francis made clear that the climate crisis is not just a scientific issue but also a deeply social and moral one. — AFP

WHEN I heard of Pope Francis’ death last month I felt a profound sense of loss. The planetary health movement lost an ally – one of the most prominent voices linking morality with climate action.

Through his legacy in the encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum, Pope Francis made clear that the climate crisis is not just a scientific issue; it is deeply social and moral, in no small part fuelled by greed and short-termism. His unflinching stance against fossil fuel interests and calls for radical political action inspired many in the Catholic Church and beyond. His influence reminds us of the impact faith leaders can have as messengers in their communities, often holding more weight than politicians and scientists.