WASHINGTON, DC (June 18, 2015) – Pope Francis today released an encyclical on climate change that focuses on the need to address the issue to protect both people and our planet. Following the release of the teaching, BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Kim Glas released the following statement:

“Addressing climate change is our moral obligation and action to reduce the pollution causing it is urgent. Protecting those most impacted by climate change—especially disadvantaged communities—is a responsibility we cannot shirk.

“The solutions to climate change—growing clean energy, making our current energy and building stock more efficient, and repairing our outdated infrastructure—are an opportunity to lift people out of poverty, protect our communities from extreme weather, and make our country—and our planet—more fair and just. Pope Francis’ encyclical is a call to act now to address climate change and seize the opportunity created by doing so.

“Make no mistake, climate change is a dire threat to all of us, but we all stand to benefit from tackling this challenge. We applaud Pope Francis for his leadership and urge world leaders to heed his call for action at the upcoming climate summit in Paris later this year.”