“We need to grow in the conviction that a decrease in the pace of production and consumption can at times give rise to another form of progress and development.”

Pope Francis explains to us that it is impossible for the most developed countries to maintain their current level of consumption at the cost of exploiting the natural resources of the rest of the planet. We have to abandon the throw-away culture and end the commercial imbalances that have so many negative consequences for the environment.

“We are squeezing out the planet’s goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange. Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an “ecological debt.”

Who is going to pay this debt? In addition, this “ecological debt” is increased when multinationals do abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries.

It’s scandalous. Today, not tomorrow; today, we have to take care of Creation responsibly.

Let us pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner. No to plundering; yes to sharing.”