Go green Pope urges governments

Governments need to pursue the use of clean and environmentally friendly energy sources, avoiding the use of technologies that are dangerous for humans, said Pope Benedict XVI Thursday in a speech to new ambassadors to the Holy See from six countries - Moldova, Equatorial Guinea, Belize, Syria, Ghana and New Zealand .

Pope Benedict received the ambassadors from the five continents in the Clementine hall and after giving each an individual letter, addressed a general discourse in French to them all. The Pope began by stating that the debate on environmental protection should not be affected by political or economic purposes. He said "the first half of this year has been marked by many tragedies that have affected nature, technology and people." But “the most important among them is man ", not technology and not partisan interests.

The Pope continued that “man, to whom God has entrusted the safeguarding of nature, can not be dominated by technology or become its object. This awareness must lead Member States to reflect on the short-term future of the planet, their responsibilities with regard to our life and technology”. Human ecology, he said “is an imperative”. We must adopt a lifestyle that respects the environment and support research and the exploitation of clean energy sources, respectful of the heritage of creation and harmless to humans, these must be our political and economic priorities. "

Pope Benedict observed that we need to "completely reassess our approach to nature," which "is not only a fun or a usable space”, also because, without a way of life that respects the bond between man and nature” the human family could disappear.

He said “all governments must commit to protect nature and help it fulfil its essential role in the survival of humanity. “The United Nations seems to be the natural place for such reflection, which should not be overshadowed by blindly partisan political and economic interests in order to favour solidarity beyond self-interest"

Focusing on the role of technology, Pope Benedict XVI noted that the exploitation of its capabilities "goes hand in hand with social and ecological disasters." Too often we forget that progress should benefit man’s work and not technology, which is "created by man”. "Placing all hopes in it, or believing that it is the sole cause of progress, or happiness, makes a commodity of man”.

The Pope pointed to the 'damage' created by progress and the “dangers that humanity is running” by trusting in “an all powerful and ultimately uncontrolled technology”. "A technology that dominates man, deprives him of his humanity. The pride that it generates has brought our society to an uncompromising economism and a hedonism that selfishly and subjectively determines our behaviour. "

Pope Benedict spoke of the urgent need for researchers and the scientists to "combine technological progress with a strong ethical dimension" thus helping nature "to develop in line desired by the Creator." While, for their part, "Governments should promote a humanism that respects the spiritual and religious dimension of man".