301. Laudato Si’ in the Amazon: People, church, science: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

News 10.09.19

Posted by Reena Chadee
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Event time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Madison Hub North, Convene, 101 Park Avenue
Event organizer: Conservation International

Nature is 30 percent of the solution to global climate change and the Amazon rainforest is a big part. Amazonia is vital to life on Earth and key to the planet’s climate crisis. If we don’t take action against climate change, if we don’t protect Amazonia, nothing else will matter. In May 2015 Pope Francis released the historic Encyclical, Laudato Si’: in which he calls on the world to “care for our common home.” He presents climate change as “one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day” and warns of “unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequence for all of us,” He also highlights Amazonia as the “richly biodiverse lungs of our planet,” crucial to “the entire earth and for the future of humanity.” He also highlights the importance of dialog among scientists, civil society and the Church. Pope Francis has called for a Synod on the Amazon, AMAZONIA: NEW PATHS FOR THE CHURCH AND FOR AN INTEGRAL ECOLOGY, to be held October 2019.” This is the first time a Pope has convened a Synod for a specific geographical region. It is one of many ways that the Church and the Pope are demonstrating their concern for Amazonia and its people. On September 23rd, just weeks before the Amazonian Synod, we will host a dialog “Laudato si in the Amazon: People, Church, Scientists” with the representatives of the Catholic church, scientists, indigenous people, Amazonian governments, development banks, private sector and civil society. The goal: to support and contribute to an innovative and unconventional partnership to conserve Amazonia and create awareness that the future of the planet relies health of the Amazon.

Speakers:

  • Fermin Chimatani (President, National Association of Administrators of the Communal Reserves of Peru)
  • Lucia Ruiz Ostoic (Minister of the Environment, Peru)
  • Johan Rockstrom (Chief Scientist, Conservation International and Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)
  • S.E. Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo (Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences; and Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican)
  • Thomas Lovejoy (Biologist; Professor, George Mason University; Senior Fellow, UN Foundation)
  • Father Seamus Finn (Oblates of Mary Immaculate Chair; Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility; Treasurer, Forest Peoples Programme)

Partners/Sponsors: National Association of Administrators of the Communla Reserves of Peru, Peruvian Ministry of the Environment, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, George Mason University, UN Foundation, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Forest Peoples Programme