California is also where many of the most pressing issues raised by the pontiff – from climate change to LGBTQ rights and immigration – remain at the fore of political debate. YouthWire asked its youth reporters to weigh in on some of the Pope’s positions on climate change, gay rights and immigration, and what his message might mean for their communities.
Echoing statements by the Pope, Medrano pointed to the unbridled capitalism eroding our planet’s health and leaving millions of poor vulnerable to the effects of climate change. “Unless we change our economic system, we cannot care for the most vulnerable people in our communities. They are the ones who are being the most affected by climate change.”
Over 200 environmentalists, philanthropists, and journalists convened last week at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco at an event hosted by Green 2.0 (an initiative of The Raben Group) and New America Media to discuss an issue that’s become increasing urgent in effectively addressing climate change – the lack of diversity in the mainstream environmental movement.