Pope blasts climate change doubters, says moral duty to act

Pope Francis sharply criticizes climate change doubters, saying history will judge those who failed to take the necessary decisions to curb heat-trapping emissions blamed for the warming of the Earth.

Francis is asked about climate change and the spate of hurricanes that have pummeled the US, Mexico and the Caribbean recently as his charter plane left Colombia and flew over some of the devastated areas.

“Those who deny this must go to the scientists and ask them. They speak very clearly,” he says, referring to experts who blame global warming on man-made activities.

Francis says scientists have also clearly charted what needed to be done to reverse course on global warming and said individuals and politicians had a “moral responsibility” to do their part.

“These aren’t opinions pulled out of thin air. They are very clear,” he said. “Then they (leaders) decide and history will judge those decisions.”

For those who have denied climate change, or delayed actions to counter it, he responded with an Old Testament saying: “Man is stupid.”

“When you don’t want to see, you don’t see,” he says.

— AP