Statement of Bob Perciasepe
President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

June 18, 2015

On Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change:

Pope Francis brings a clear and powerful moral voice to a debate too often clouded by competing ideologies.

Speaking not only to 1 billion Catholic faithful but to our collective conscience, he helps us understand our responsibility to the planet and to one another.

The pope makes an impassioned case for urgent climate action based on both fact and moral imperative. There is no denying that market forces have contributed to climate change. At the same time, thoughtfully designed carbon pricing policies can drive down emissions while also tending to our other social responsibilities.

Lending his voice at a critical moment, as countries come forward with their contributions to a new global climate agreement, Pope Francis makes plain the stakes and the urgency. His voice will hopefully stir our conscience and strengthen common ground for climate action.

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Contact: Laura Rehrmann, rehrmannl@c2es.org or 703-516-0621

About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Arlington, Va., promoting strong policy and action to address the challenges of energy and climate change. Learn more at www.c2es.org.