Brianna Sanderson, Year 6 student from Marian Catholic School is interviewed by WIN TV News about the encyclical Laudato Si’.

North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) today joins with the Townsville Catholic Diocese and conservationists around the world in celebrating the timely contribution of His Holiness Pope Francis to the crucial debate on our natural environment.

‘Pope Francis, with his innate love for the ‘person in the street’ and apparent sense of humour might well enjoy the spontaneous reaction of one NQCC member to the Pope’s words said NQCC Coordinator Wendy Tubman. ‘The member simply exclaimed ‘The Pope rocks!’

‘The Papal Encyclical released today shows how deeply the Pope has contemplated the crucial issue of climate change and its implications for the environment and all species within it’ Ms Tubman said.

Ms Wendy Tubman from the North Queensland Conservation Council, Brianna Sanderson, Year 6 student from Marian Catholic School and Fr Mick Lowcock, Diocesan Administrator Townsville.

‘We thank His Holiness for speaking out so strongly on the need to move away from a model of perpetual growth and ever-increasing consumption if we are to survive on a planet that has limited resources.

‘It is the voiceless environment and the marginalized who will suffer the most from climate change. There is nothing honourable in exporting harmful products, such as coal, that will add to health and environmental problems in countries struggling to improve the quality of life of their people. At the same time we need to consider whether what is called ‘progress’ is really improving the quality of our own lives.

Pope Francis asks of our leaders worldwide, ‘What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so? This is a question that every politician in Australia must ponder in their heart and answer.

NQCC looks forward to working with the Townsville Catholic Diocese to ensure that the Pope’s words are the beginning of effective action to protect the environment on which our economy and society depend’, Ms Tubman said.

Further information: Wendy Tubman 0428 987 535