Catherine Brennan SSL, chairperson of Eco-Congregation Ireland, is calling on Irish people to pray earnestly for a “transformative outcome” to the Rio+20 Conference.
Rio +20 marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit). The objective of the conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and identify the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development.
“It is our hope that the Rio+20 will be the most significant summit yet,” says Sr Catherine. “Humanity finds itself at a transformative juncture. The summit needs to address two interlinked substantive issues – a) poverty eradication and b) how not to cross various planetary thresholds. The oceans are depleted, the climate is warming and there is unprecedented migration to the cities.
“We hear much talk in advance that the green economy will be the implementer of sustainability, respecting planetary boundaries and using planetary resources for the good of all humanity; that it will signify job creation as well as energy innovation and efficiency.
“The Summit is expected to produce Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will be for all nations and all peoples, unlike the Millennial Development Goals aimed at underdeveloped nations.
“Hopefully, real transformation is underway that will take into account all three aspects of Sustainable Development – environmental, economic and social impacts.
“In this context we welcome the launch by the Irish government of its document, ‘Our Sustainable Future’. In the foreword Taoiseach Enda Kenny says economic growth, social cohesion and environmental sustainability must move forward in a mutually supportive way.
“Let us pray earnestly here in Ireland for this transformative outcome.”
The following document is useful for finding out more about Rio 20+ – The_changes_we_need_for_the_future_we_want_CIDSE_recommendations_for_Rio20[1]