Markey, Pope talk climate change

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said Thursday that Pope Francis agrees with him that climate change is a “moral issue.”

{mosads}“The Pope and all people of faith understand that climate change is a moral issue, and that we are called to respond to this personal and planetary challenge,” Markey said after meeting with the Pope and other high-level Vatican leaders in Rome to talk about climate change.

Markey said he and other lawmakers from around the world discussed the health and economic consequences of not addressing climate change. 

“It was an honor and a privilege to meet with Pope Francis and other Vatican leaders to share our common concern about the challenge of our time, climate change,” Markey said.

Because House Republicans refuse to pass comprehensive climate change legislation, President Obama has issued executive orders to try and curb carbon emissions. 

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release new rules soon that aim to cut the emissions of coal power plant. Republicans have accused Obama of waging a war on coal rather than using an “all of the above” national energy strategy.