Andy Hoffman, University of Michigan and Jenna White, University of Michigan

This summer, Pope Francis plans to release an encyclical letter in which he will address environmental issues, and very likely climate change.

His statement will have a profound impact on the public debate. For one, it will elevate the spiritual, moral and religious dimensions of the issue. Calling on people to protect the global climate because it is sacred, both for its own God-given value and for the life and dignity of all humankind, not just the affluent few, will create far more personal commitment than a government call for action on economic grounds or an activist’s call on environmental grounds. (more…)

“The top of the list of energy challenges is climate change” said Kerry to the Atlantic Council today. Kerry showed he was definitely In Touch with the Science on the major environmental issue facing us today.

“For decades the science has been screaming at us, trying to compel us to act..” Kerry added that “Science is and has long been crystal clear when it comes to climate change.”

He gave an impassioned plea to look at the science explaining that climate change is “Fact based, evidence supported, peer reviewed science, and yet if you listen to some people in Washington or elsewhere, you would think there is a question whether climate change really is a problem or if we really need to respond to it. (more…)