Prudence, Poverty and the Common Good

Catholic teaching on climate change embraces the principles of prudence, poverty and the common good. These three principles form the foundation of our work.

1. Prudence

“Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken, decisions aimed at strengthening that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying.” —Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, December 2007

The Coalition accepts overwhelming scientific consensus about climate change. There is nearly unanimous agreement that human actions are creating a warming planet. As stewards of all Creation, we must identify wise, careful actions that will reverse this climate change and avoid its potentially dangerous impact on all life-especially human life.

State and local Catholic leaders can play a central role in bringing together scientists, theologians, business and labor leaders, government officials, human service providers and other stakeholders to shape a wise and careful approach consistent with our principles. With such leadership, the Catholic community will answer God’s call to be faithful stewards.

“Prudence is intelligence applied to our actions …a thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned basis for taking or avoiding action to achieve a moral good.” — U.S. Bishops

2. Poverty

“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” Caritas in Veritate, No. 48

Natural disasters take the greatest toll on poor people. Inadequate transportation, lack of insurance, poor housing and little if any cash reserves put them on the edge of the precipice. To survive severe storms, prolonged droughts, extended heat waves and other climate-related events, these vulnerable sisters and brothers must receive assistance–both public and private.

The Coalition seeks to find constructive ways to approach climate change from the bottom up. We strive to bring the voice of the poor to the public debate about climate change and ensure that resources are available to the most vulnerable.

“… any successful strategy must also reflect the genuine participation and concerns of those most affected and least able to bear the burdens …[this] is a moral and political necessity …” — U.S. Bishops

3. The Common Good

“The ecological problem must be dealt with not only because of the chilling prospects of environmental degradation on the horizon; the real motivation must be the quest for authentic world-wide solidarity inspired by the values of charity, justice and the common good.” 2010 World Day of Peace Message

Climate change provides an opportunity to act with courage and creativity as individuals, people of faith, and as a nation. As a wealthy nation and the top contributor to greenhouse gases, we in the United States must help to shape responses that serve not only our own interests but those the of the entire human family. The Coalition assists the Catholic community in linking personal stewardship and care for Creation with our moral responsibilities to practice solidarity.

“Responses to global climate change should reflect our interdependence and common responsibility for the future of our planet. Individual nations must measure their own self-interest against the greater common good and contribute equitably to global solutions.” — U.S. Bishops

A Primer on Catholic Teaching and Climate Change is an authentically Catholic approach to this important moral issue. This Primer highlights the key themes and the moral measure of successful outcomes: ones that encompass both the care of God’s gift of Creation and of poor and vulnerable populations.