Pope appluaded for taking climate position

To the editor:

Though I am not a follower of any religious leader or religion, I applaud Pope Francis's encyclical, specifically on the issue of anthropogenic climate change. He has taken note of the overwhelming scientific evidence and had the courage to take a position accordingly.

It is interesting to observe the response of wailing, rending of garments and gnashing of teeth from certain 'political figures” who cling to denial because of their ideology, to cater to corporate interests who may suffer from actions to mitigate planet warming or to pander to elements of their base.

Scientific evidence has no ideology or politics, but politicians cherry-pick the data or simply ignore credible scientific conclusions to suit their needs. Some would claim that a religious leader should stick to religion and has no business taking a position based on scientific evidence while they avoid taking a position, claiming, 'I am not a scientist.” With little doubt they would be praising the Pope had he issued a 'not to worry” encyclical. There's a label for that: hypocrisy.

Jim Highly

Fairfax