Senate urged to protect the poor from climate change effects

Published: 2005-06-22

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As U.S. senators began to consider energy policy legislation, the chairman of the bishops' International Policy Committee urged them to be sure to protect poor and vulnerable people from the effects of climate change. "Due to where they live and their limited resources, the poor will experience most directly the possible harmful effects of climate change," said Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., in a June 16 letter to senators. Harmful effects might include escalating energy costs, lost jobs and health problems, he said. The Senate June 21 and 22 was considering amendments to the House-passed version of 2005 energy legislation, including measures addressing climate change. Bishop Ricard's letter said that although the U.S. bishops take no position on many of the provisions of various versions of energy legislation or on specific amendments, their staff worked with the Senate to draft the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which, he said, "specifically addresses the needs of the poor here and abroad." He said the debate about climate change has for too long been polarized, with the science being used "more as a weapon than a source of wisdom, insight or guidance. The motives of many are impugned."

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