The 50a World Earth Day (2) opens its celebrations in Italy, with thegeneral audience of Pope Francis. On the fifth anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si ', the Pope re-proposes the fundamental concepts for understanding and overcoming the Covid 19 pandemic with an ecological and unitary approach.
The common home
'We are honored with the commitment' of Pope Francis 'in bringing people together on the importance of the Earth in this very important moment', say Denis Hayes and Kathleen Rogers, founder of Earth Day and president of the Earth Day Network. 'His Encyclical Laudato si 'underlines the close relationship of each of us with our unique Planet'. (1)
Our planet is a common home, not a repository of resources to be exploited. 'Instead, we have polluted and plundered it, endangering our very lives. We have failed to guard the earth, our home-garden, how can we restore a harmonious relationship with the earth and the rest of humanity? We need a new way of looking at our common home'.
The desecration the intimate harmony between everything that exists in nature has led to environmental and climatic imbalances that culminated in the Covid 19 pandemic, along with other disasters. (3)
Integral ecology
Human life and environment they are undergoing serious, perhaps irreversible destruction. (4). The Pontiff had underlined the urgency of putting integral ecology into practice a few months ago, on 15.10.19, at the Special Synod for the Pan-Amazon region. Denouncing the socio-environmental abominations in the Amazon rainforest, 'lung of fundamental importance for our planet'. (5) Reference is made in this regard our initiative against GM soy, palm oil and American meats.
The beauty will save the world
We awaken the aesthetic and contemplative sense that God has placed in us'. 'The prophecy of contemplation is something that we learn above all from the original peoples […]. They have that wisdom of "good living", not in the sense of having a good time, no: but of living in harmony with the earth. They call this harmony "good living". ' (Pope francesco. Dear amazonia, 2.2.20. Point 56)
Harmony unfolds in the natural slowness of biological evolution, in the slow alternation of the seasons. And so in the phases and processes ofpeasant agriculture, as it is dedicated to respecting ecosystems. (5)
The role of politics
The ineffectiveness of the policy, nationally e international, had already been denounced by the Pontiff in a specific chapter of the encyclical. (6) The ecological crisis e social, on a planetary level, it is as well known as it is ignored by all decision maker. Starting with the heads of state of the G-7, as has already been pointed out.
The #WorldEconomicFailure - hence only China it stood out, in the last two decades - must be corrected with concrete and effective actions. THE Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UN Agenda 2030 are moving away rather than getting closer, and it is therefore necessary to strengthen international cooperation through binding agreements, based on a Constitution for the Earth.
'I stress the importance of collaborating as an international community for the protection of our common home. I urge all those in authority to lead the process that will lead to two important international conferences: the COP15 on Biodiversity in Kunming (China) and COP26 on Climate Change in Glasgow (United Kingdom). These two meetings are very important. ' (#Pontifex_en)
The role of civil society
The mobilization of young people it is necessary for the protection of the environment. The various international and local movements that have been formed to awaken consciences must be listened to and effectively followed.
'I sincerely appreciate these initiatives, and it will still be necessary for our children to take to the streets to teach us the obvious, which is that there is no future for us if we destroy the environment that sustains us. It is good to converge together from all walks of life and also to give life to a popular movement 'from below'. World Earth Day itself, which we celebrate today, was born just like that. Each of us can make their own small contribution ' (Jorge Mario Bergoglio, general audience, 22.4.20). (7)
Giulia Caddeo and Dario Dongo
Footnotes
(2) World Health Day it has been organized every year since 22.4.1970, on the initiative of the environmental movement Earth Day Network. And it was recognized by the UN in 2009. 75 partners in 193 countries adhere to it, to promote environmental democracy. Due to the social distancing rules caused by Covid 19, the 2020 edition has been configured as a 'Multimedia World Marathon' entitled #OnePeopleOnePlanet, broadcast in Italy on the channel streaming Rai Play. 12 hours of testimonials, performance artistic, in-depth analysis with experts, to build a sustainable future
(3) Pollution https://www.egalite.org/covid-19-e-inquinamento-il-nostro-studio-su-bergamo-brescia-e-milano/, global warming https://www.egalite.org/land-grabbing-e-cambiamento-climatico-il-rapporto-ipcc/, loss of biodiversity and climate emergency https://www.egalite.org/biodiversita-ed-emergenza-climatica-il-filo-comune/, desertifications https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/sicurezza/giornate-mondiali-su-desertificazione-e-rifugiati-arido-bilancio they are only the consequences of reckless management of resources. And the food system now in vogue is one of the most important factors. V.
IPES-Food. COVID-19 and the crisis in food systems: Symptoms, causes, and potential solutions. April 2020, http://www.ipes-food.org/_img/upload/files/COVID-19_CommuniqueEN.pdf
(4) Encyclical letter Laudato si 'on the care of the common home. Vatican publishing bookshop, 2015, ISBN 978-8820995782. See par. 11, page 11
(5) Michael Czerny - David Martínez. Why does the Amazon deserve a Synod?, http://www.sinodoamazonico.va/content/sinodoamazonico/it/attualita/perche-l_amazzonia-merita-un-sinodo-.html
(6) Encyclical. The Dialogue on the Environment in International Politics. Chapter V, Par I, Section 170, p. 155
(7) '' Commendable is the commitment of international bodies and civil society organizations that raise awareness of the populations and cooperate in a critical way, also using legitimate pressure mechanisms, so that each government fulfills its own and not delegable duty to preserve the environment and natural resources of one's own country, without selling itself to ambiguous local or international interests'. Chapter I, Par III - Loss of Biodiversity. Section 38, p. 36
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in law, master in Food, Law & Finance. You have explored the theme of green procurement and urban food policies in the International Cooperation and Peace sector of the City of Turin.
