The head of an African network for young Catholics warned against prioritizing economic interests over social and environmental concerns as nations work to recover from the COVD-19 pandemic.
Allen Ottaro, executive director Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa, spoke to Catholic News Service during Laudato Si’ Week, May 16-24 celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on “our common home.”
“As countries look to the post (COVID-19) recovery phase and restarting economies, there is a huge risk that economic considerations will be placed ahead … ultimately, this could lead to much higher level of pollution and carbon emissions (than) before the pandemic,” Ottaro told CNS. “However, there is also an opportunity to take a different trajectory and ensure our economies in a green way, an eco-friendly way.”
Ottaro said the pandemic has not stopped the global climate crisis, and its effects were making it difficult to respond to the disease. Read more…
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