October 17, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
‘SAVE THE PLANET’
“We must stop intentionally destroying our natural world and its gifts.”
António Guterres, the ninth United Nations’ secretary-general, called to halt the destruction of our planet in his speech for Siena College’s symposium on integral ecology.
“We must protect people from the destruction we have unleashed,” Guterres said in a pre-recorded speech. “We must deliver climate justice for the vulnerable. And, crucially, we must limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius — as countries agreed to do in the landmark international climate pact — the Paris Agreement.”
The two-day symposium, “Earth’s Cry, Humanity’s Call: A Symposium on Integral Ecology,” ran Oct. 10-11, and featured events such as booth displays on various topics, including the promotion of eco-literacy/restorative justice and advocacy options, and in-person and livestreamed talks and presentations addressing the global realities of the climate crisis.
António Guterres, the ninth United Nations’ secretary-general, speaks to students, faculty and attendees via a pre-recorded message for Siena's symposium on integral ecology. (Provided photo)The event was organized by Siena’s Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology, led by Brother Michael Perry, OFM, who gave the symposium’s opening speech.
“The cries of wounded nature and suffering humanity … (were) so strong I felt morally obligated to listen, to learn, and to take decisive action to combat the negative forces contributing to the destruction of healthy conditions in this common home,” said Brother Perry, who is the center’s director.
Before Siena, Brother Perry served as the minister general and the 120th successor of St. Francis of Assisi, a position he held until July 2021, when he took a sabbatical to Alaska.
Having visited before in 2018, Brother Perry noticed the differences in the area he so loved that was fighting a variety of climate change issues.
“I love king salmon and thought I would have two months of around-the-clock eating smoked salmon. Unfortunately, there was no smoked salmon because of the devastation to the environment and the biodiversity. Simply, it wasn’t there, and that really struck me,” he said.
Seeing the impacts of the changing climate up close, Brother Perry felt compelled to action, joining Siena College and opening the Laudato Si’ Center.
“It is these voices, the cries of the earth and the poor, that propelled me to act,” he said. “An action that has taken me from Rome, from Alaska, and has brought me here to Siena College to be of service to the college and from the college to the world in the Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology.”
Guterres discussed his own personal connections to the Franciscans in his speech, which he says “run deep.” A Franciscan priest is a life-long friend of the secretary-general, and has presided over both of Guterres’ wedding ceremonies, baptized his children and celebrated Mass many times in his home.
Guterres said that our changing climate — seen in global hurricane devastation, coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures, and a rise in floods and droughts — all “puts peace and justice in peril.”
“As Pope Francis has said, Saint Francis ‘shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society and interior peace.’” Guterres quoted. “And though climate chaos is everywhere, it doesn’t affect everyone equally. The very people most at risk are those who did the least to cause the crisis: small island states, developing countries, the poor, and the vulnerable. This is a breathtaking injustice — and it is just the beginning.”
The event covered a variety of issues over the two days, including speeches from Basil Seggos, former N.Y. State Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation; Dr. James McDonald, Health Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health; and Scott Kellogg, Educational Director of the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center.
The symposium also included two panel discussions: “Climate Change: What is at Stake? Why Should I Care?” moderated by Dr. Elaine Houston, an Emmy award-winning former social justice reporter at NewsChannel 13 in Albany, and “What Can We Do? Thinking Globally, Acting Locally,” moderated by Siena senior Emily Atassi, president of Student Senate.
Looking ahead, Guterres focused on how audience members can help in the fight against climate change and prepare for a better future for all.
“You play a vital role,” he said. “Everywhere, young people and religious communities are on the frontlines for bold climate action. The Laudato Si’ Franciscan Network can be an important part of these efforts. Together, we must stand with our brothers and sisters around the world in the fight for climate justice, alert our fellow citizens to the crisis, inspire them to call for change, and demand that our governments take this chance and act: to protect the vulnerable, deliver justice and save the planet.”
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