Pope Benedict Links Hunger and Climate Change

This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. --Jeremiah 22:3

In his message to the World Summit on Food Security, the Holy Father said, "The desire to possess and to exploit the resources of the planet in an excessive and disordered manner is the primary cause of all environmental degradation." He continued, "While the entire human race is called to acknowledge its obligations to future generations, it is also true that States and international organizations have a duty to protect the environment as a shared good. "

Read the entire statement at: http://zenit.org/article-27563?l=english

My understanding is that there is, in fact, enough arable land on the planet to allow everyone to grow enough food, but that the distribution of land needs improvement. For example, do we really need golf courses in poor areas? Would not the land be better used by the local people to grow food? Or, do we really need to eat beef? Poultry and pork can be a far more productive source of protein.

Also, climate change will hit the poorest among us the hardest. We need to watch out for that.

I think it is always a good idea to read the Pope's own words, and take with a grain of salt any summaries you see in the secular press -- they do not understand Christian values, and often distort our Holy Father's meaning. Fortunately, all of the Pope's statements end up on the Vatican website, so that's easy enough.