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1.3. The Environmental Crisis Also Threatens the Enforceability of Human Rights to our troubled world.*' “We hear the cry of the earth and of the poor,” he said, “for that cry has reached the heart of God. Our indignation is His indignation; our work is His work.””” The Church bears witness to the “indestructible covenant between Creator and creatures.”** He recalled St. Francis of Assisi’s focus on God’s love for all of creation, which gives everything life. In conclusion, Pope Leo invited Christians to spread harmony throughout the world, drawing inspiration from St. Augustine.** “O Lord, your works praise you so that we may love you, and we love you so that your works may praise you.” The above documents are just a few of the many that have been issued in order to protect creatures and the created world. Although the social teaching of the Catholic Church does not speak of the rights of nature, it does pay increasing attention to the protection of creation. 1.3. The Environmental Crisis Also Threatens the Enforceability of Human Rights Humanity faces devastating pandemics alongside a triple environmental crisis — encompassing climate disruptions induced by climate change, dramatic biodiversity loss, and severe environmental pollution — which collectively hinder progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. A principal consequence of climate change is the exacerbation of inequalities, both within contemporary generations (among diverse social groups) and between current and future generations. In certain regions, specific social groups may derive advantages from activities associated with carbon dioxide emissions, as well as from localized positive effects of climate change. Conversely, in the same regions, other social groups — and populations in disparate areas — endure the adverse impacts. For future generations, climate change imperils not only the quality of life but also the viability of human existence. The anticipated extinction of entire populations and cultures underscores this threat, with indigenous peoples’ rights particularly jeopardized by habitat loss (e.g. due to rising sea levels) or ecosystem alterations that preclude the continuation of traditional lifestyles. Lower socioeconomic strata and less affluent nations bear a disproportionate burden from the consequences of global warming, thereby perpetuating the 31 Pope Leo XIV, Homily — Holy Mass for the Care of Creation, Borgo Laudato Si, Castel Gandolfo (9 July 2025), Vatican News, 29 September 2025, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/ news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-mass-care-creation-borgo-laudato-si-castel-gandolfo.html. 32 Ibid. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid. 35 Ibid. 19
