Pope Francis Demands Immediate Action on Climate Change, Urging Shift to Renewable Energy

Pope Francis, in a lengthy letter and series of tweets, has called for urgent action to combat climate change, which he attributes to the burning of fossil fuels and the influence of big business. His appeals come as the United States is experiencing severe weather conditions, with over 30 million people under flood watches and warnings from Texas to Ohio. The Vatican's encyclical has been met with varying responses from Catholics, with some, like Father Bud Grant, a theology professor at St. Ambrose University, expressing support for the pope's message, while others, like Jay Richards, a professor at Catholic University, remain skeptical about the urgency of climate change.

Key Takeaways:

• Pope Francis has issued an encyclical calling for immediate action to combat climate change, attributing it to the burning of fossil fuels and the influence of big business.
• The encyclical has received mixed reactions from Catholics, with some supporting the pope's message and others remaining skeptical about the urgency of climate change.
• Wind power has been highlighted as a viable and economical option for renewable energy, with Iowa farmer Tom Wind's four 400-foot wind turbines producing energy at a low cost.
• The Vatican's Encyclical has been described as a significant call to action, with Father Bud Grant stating that the science on climate change is clear and there is no debate.
• Some skeptics, like Jay Richards, argue that technology will eventually solve the problem without the need for drastic measures, but the pope has rejected this notion of "magical concepts."

Statistics:

• Over 30 million people in the United States are currently under flood watches and warnings from Texas to Ohio.
• Pope Francis has used Twitter to spread his message on climate change, issuing several tweets on the issue.
• Wind power has been identified as one of the cheapest forms of new energy, currently producing energy at a cost of approximately $30 to $40 per megawatt-hour.
• Tom Wind's four 400-foot wind turbines produce energy at a low cost, with the turbines starting at a 2000 horsepower engine fueled by the wind.
• More than 10 inches of rain have fallen in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as a result of the tropical depression moving across the plains.

Sources:

• CBS News, Scott Pelley: "Pope Francis Demands Immediate Action on Climate Change," airdate unknown.
• Dean Reynolds (CBS News National Correspondent): "Pope's Encyclical Lands Heavily on the Status Quo," airdate unknown.
• Father Bud Grant (Theology Professor, St. Ambrose University): "Pope's Message on Climate Change Welcomed," airdate unknown.
• Jay Richards (Professor, Catholic University): "Climate Change Debate Continues," airdate unknown.