The prominent critic of capitalism will join Cardinal Peter Turkson in leading the Vatican’s upcoming conference on climate change, which is set to include priests, scientists and others. | Photo: AFP
(Telesur, June 28, 2015) Social activist Naomi Klein has been tapped by Pope Francis to join a high level Vatican conference on climate change, she said Saturday.
The prominent critic of capitalism will join Cardinal Peter Turkson in leading the Vatican’s upcoming conference on climate change, which is set to include priests, scientists and others.
“The fact that they invited me indicates they’re not backing down from the fight,” Klein told The Observer.
She added, “A lot of people have patted the pope on the head, but said he’s wrong on the economics. I think he’s right on the economics.”
Earlier this month Pope Francis issued a dire call for action on climate change, linking the crisis to economics and poverty.
“Doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or disdain. We may well be leaving to coming generations debris, desolation and filth,” the pope wrote in the first papal encyclical dedicated to the environment.
The pope described a relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment. He blamed this on apathy, the reckless pursuit of profits, excessive faith in technology and the lack of political vision.
The head of the Vatican said the most vulnerable victims of the destruction of the environment are the world’s poorest people, who are being displaced and disregarded.
Scientifically literate, impassioned and heavily critical of “throwaway” consumer culture, the encyclical demanded world leaders hear “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” warning against “an unprecedented destruction of ecosystems” looming within the coming decades.
“Once more, we need to reject a magical conception of the market, which would suggest that problems can be solved simply by an increase in the profits of companies or individuals,” he argued.