Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home

Scholarly discourse on earth care. Refreshing to read something evidence based.

this book is a treasure as was Pope Fancis a challenging read

A call to contemplate the beauty of creation, and our responsibility for our planet, our common home. In this book, Pope Francis questions the current global capitalist model based on consumption. He speaks to the right of all people (and especially those in the global south) to have clean drinking water, and the dignity of work. On destruction of the environment, he draws a comparison to destruction of human interconnectedness. The health of both are related, and have declined. He asks us to hear "the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor". The word "dominion" has been appropriated by those who use it to dominate, control, and destroy nature. He corrects this interpretation - rather our "dominion" is our charge to "till and keep" the earth - care for it, sustain it, share it. Of course he speaks with moral authority on aspirational behavior. His critique of the globalized world and of capitalism is relevant, but I don't see us tearing down this order. Also his critique of technocracy. Which is another given in today's world, and I don't see it ending. Individual action, global policy choices, a change of heart to protect each other and our common home - he asks much of us. I look forward to his Part 2 of Laudato Si coming out in October.

“Laudato Si: Praise be unto you, oh Lord.” In his thought provoking new encyclical, Pope Francis explores issues pertinent to the care of the natural environment; our common home. Unlike encyclicals written by other pontiffs, Pope Francis addresses his message to the whole of human creation, calling for a universal effort across the boundaries of faith, nationality, language, and political ideals. Divided into six distinct sections, the pontiff begins with an in depth analysis of the state of our world, touching on issues ranging from global climate change, to access to clean water, to care for the poor. He calls for a global move toward social justice, linking the poor to the state of our climate, explaining that the poor will feel the effects of climate change first, and the worst. He moves on to explore the Gospel of Creation, delving into the Church’s teaching regarding creation and human dignity. The second half of the letter is geared toward solutions and stark critiques of the inaction seen thus far. Pope Francis delivers his message of love with extreme clarity and grace, emphasizing the necessity to care for the most vulnerable among us, and exploring the issue of climate change from a perspective that will not alienate non-Catholics. He finishes his address with two prayers: One universal, and one Christian, emphasizing his message of social justice, inclusivity, and the fundamental dignity of every race, religion, and nationality, as members of our common home.

What a way to describe our current environmental problems, and the way the Pope links Church doctrine with our moral responsibility to take care of our common home, it is just a beautiful; yet his message is a stern reminder that we ALL need to truly take care of Mother Earth. It is a message of "stop postponing your duties", we need to act every day; a global urgency to look for different ways to live, to produce. One aspect that sticks out to me is, we all want confort, we all need a lot of things, we are used to so much, but if we do not take care of our planet NOW, we will be the first ones to complain when the planet is no longer giving us all that we are used to receive and enjoy, like.... water. It is a call to stop wasting, a call to think deeper, and a call too to think of our less fortunate brothers and sisters all around the globe. I never read a encyclical letter in my life, at least, not in its entirety, only bits and pieces of some, but this a dear book now for me, that should be read for all of us.

I am absolutely amazed by Pope Francis’s knowledge about so many subjects that are so relevant to our planet, the people, the animals and the other living organisms that coexist here with us. If only we would find it within us to follow his suggestions. I’m so touched by his concern for the poor among us and for our collective future.

Laudato Si is a "must read" for those interested in climate change and the remote possibility that we can change our consumptive behavior and care for this world. While not a practicing Catholic I most appreciated Pope Francis's description of Genesis. Many climate change skeptics often quote Genesis where God states that "man" has dominion over the world. His Holiness accepts this but notes that this quote is early in Genesis- before Adam and Eve "went rogue". After the fall of Adam, God gave him different instructions- telling him to "till the earth and keep it". In other worlds he no longer trusted Adam to have dominion. Now he was to do the work of keeping the world and taking care of it. This book is the only "climate change" book I've read without a single graph or table. It isn't needed. Pope Francis tells us that how we take care of the world is manifested in the way we take care of each other. He explores ways to make this happen. One of the best books I've read.

This encyclical addresses the inevitability associated with ignoring the trashing of our planet by the haves at the expense of the huge number of have nots that make up the population of our planet. If we haves as humans do what is beneficial for the entire human race going forward then we will have the capacity to deal with the surprises of Mother nature that will occur from time to time going forward. Going forward, the earth will always warm and then chill and then warm again. We will always have volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, and flooding and droughts. If we are better stewards of God's creation going forward we can reduce/ eliminate the man made problems of forest fires, pollution of the land and waters of the earth, and the overuse of hydrocarbons so that food, clothing and housing can be produced to feed and cloth and protect everyone that inhabits the planet from generation to generation. It will take time to clean up the mess but we need to start now to dialogue with all nations to coordinate the work that needs to be done so that the generations to come will inherit a better planet than we inherited. I was impressed with the Holy Father's grasp of what needs to be done and who needs to do it.

Good reference book, very inspiring.

Papa Francisco's words that simple and important things 1.2 billion Catholics There are many politicians among them. But why is there nobody who accepts and practices the Pope's words? I am Japanese and a catholic.But few Japanese Catholics I want to talk to someone about this book 教皇のシンプルで大切な事が書いてあります。 12億人のカトリック信者の中には政治家も沢山いるはず。 なのに何故教皇の言葉を受け入れる事ができないのか。。

Comprehensive analysis of what is really destroying our planet and the human race. A must read for anyone concerned about present state of the environment and condition of humankind with a positive remedy filled with hope.

中身の素晴らしさに、感動しました。まだ邦訳がされていないので、早く読みたくて、買いました。とても、満足しています。邦訳も、できたら、購入したいです。

Excellent text to make us more conscious of our need to respect all of creation, especially as the mentality in the world today as a throw away culture.