Archived News Item

Governments Urged to Act on IPCC Report

April 7, 2022

Media Release
7 April 2022: World Health Day
‘It’s Now or Never’: Sisters of Mercy urge government to act on the IPCC report

Australia’s governments must undertake transformational change to address the climate emergency, the Leader of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, Sr Eveline Crotty RSM said today in response to the findings of the latest UN IPCC report “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change” (4 April 2022).

 

“Time is running out. The decisions we make now can secure a thriving future. We urge our leaders to hear and respond to the cries of Earth and the cries of those rendered poor as outlined in this United Nations report. Our leaders must urgently develop credible policies, plans and actions to address this emergency,” Sr Eveline said.

 

“For some time now, governments have shown only their incapacity to adequately read the signs of the times, accept the scientific data, and take appropriate action. Recent history demonstrates the results of this. We need transformational change now for we know that incremental change is not enough.

 

“Our Institute calls on our governments to:

 

– Lead the call to action limiting warming to 1.5 degrees by leaving fossil-fuels in the ground and transitioning to more affordable, renewable solutions providing green jobs, energy security, and greater price stability.

 

– Make credible and ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions in all regions and sectors by at least 50% by 2030.

 

– Respond swiftly and generously to communities in need already experiencing the impacts of climate change, not just in Australia but also in the Pacific.

 

“Our Institute continues to implement our own sustainability measures as part of a model of sustainable and regenerative living aimed at reducing our carbon footprint.

 

“We seek to respond to the call by our Creator God to act with Mercy and justice and the message of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si’.

 

“Saving Earth involves everyone playing their part. While many in the community are showing the way through their positive individual actions, we look to our governments to step up in their response to this ever-growing crisis,” Sr Eveline said.

 

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