OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Pope details ‘urgent need’ to stop climate change

by Timothy Cama and Devin Henry - 06/18/15 6:00 PM ET

A PAPAL PUSH: Pope Francis’s long-awaited encyclical on the environment castigated politicians for failing to act on global warming, called for an international approach to tackling the problem, and asked citizens to change their ways, where they can, to do their part.

The pope’s encyclical, an open letter formally laying out the church’s views on a subject, embraced the science behind climate change and said more needs to be done to prevent it from getting worse.

{mosads}He said the world needs to move away from fossil fuels and focus on renewable energy, and referenced a forthcoming United Nations climate summit, encouraging believers to “ask God for a positive outcome to the present discussions so that future generations will not have to suffer the effects of our ill-advised delays.”

The Vatican released Francis’s encyclical on Thursday to praise from green groups, environmentalists and Democrats. President Obama said he admires the pope’s “decision to make the case — clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position — for action on global climate change.”

The encyclical focused not only on geopolitics but also the everyday things readers can do to make an impact on the environment. Francis suggested individuals recycle more and carpool to help the Earth.

“The natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone.”

Read more here.

MORE ENCYCLICAL COVERAGE FROM THE HILL:

-Cardinal Peter Turkson defended Francis’s efforts against his GOP critics.
-Administration officials and Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, cheered the pope’s climate change push.
-The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will take Francis’s case directly to lawmakers.

ON TAP FRIDAY I: The United States Department of Agriculture will host its Sixth Annual Pollinator festival to help the public learn about bees and bats, the problems they face and what individuals can do to help them.

ON TAP FRIDAY II: House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will tour the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, in College Park, Md.

AROUND THE WEB:

SNL Energy looks at ‘ground zero’ for the coal jobs free fall.

The United Kingdom has decided to end subsidies for onshore wind energy installations in April 2016, a year earlier than it had previously planned, BBC News reports.

A new study from the University of Colorado has linked massive underground injections of wastewater from oil and natural gas drilling to earthquakes, the Associated Press reports.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Check out Thursday’s stories …

-Feds to host ‘ivory crush’ in New York City
-Obama cheers Pope’s climate change push
-O’Malley pushes aggressive climate change platform
-Jessica Alba lobbies Congress for stronger chemical protections
-Senate panel advances $30B bill that targets EPA rules
-May sets new heat record
-Dems, Obama officials praise Pope’s climate change letter
-Catholic bishops to meet with Congress, White House on climate change
-Pope blames climate change on humans in 183-page call for action
-Cardinal defends Pope from GOP climate criticism
-Top Dems demand bipartisan budget talks