Nuestra casa común

This guide, a joint initiative by the Holy See and the Stockholm Environment Institute, outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’, it advocates for a fundamental shift from an exploitative relationship with the planet to one based on protection and care, emphasizing the need for systemic economic changes and a transition to clean energy to ensure a sustainable future for all.

• The climate crisis is driven by economic and social systems reliant on fossil fuels, with the burning of coal, oil, and gas for industry, transport, heating, and electricity being the primary cause of global warming. To avoid the most dangerous outcomes and limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a total transformation of economies and societies is required, including a mass transition to clean energy and the cessation of deforestation.
• The world is experiencing a massive extinction event, with wild populations decreasing by two-thirds since 1970 and freshwater animal and plant life dropping by 84%. The Amazon rainforest faces the risk of becoming a dry scrubland within 50 years if climate change and deforestation are not addressed. Protecting and restoring terrestrial and marine habitats, as well as strengthening the land rights of indigenous and local peoples, is essential for survival.
• Water scarcity is a growing challenge, with approximately 4 billion people experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month per year, particularly in rural areas and poor countries. By 2025, two-thirds of the global population could face water shortages. Additionally, 3.6 billion people lack safe sanitation, and 1.7 billion lack basic sanitation, increasing exposure to waterborne diseases like cholera.
• Air pollution is a global health crisis, with 9 out of 10 people breathing polluted air. Outdoor pollution from fossil fuels causes over 4 million deaths annually, while indoor pollution—primarily from burning coal, wood, and dung for cooking—causes at least 3 million deaths per year, disproportionately affecting women and children in poor households.
• Industrial agriculture is considered unsustainable, contributing nearly one-third of carbon emissions and destroying forests. While industrial methods initially increased yields, they have depleted fertile land and reduced biodiversity. A third of all food is wasted while acute hunger increases in over 50 countries. Transitioning to ecological farming and diets with less meat and dairy is recommended to reduce pressure on ecosystems.
• Current consumption patterns, especially among the wealthiest, are unsustainable; by 2050, three planets would be needed to support current lifestyles. Plastic pollution is a critical symptom, with 12 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually and 5 trillion pieces of plastic currently floating in the seas. The document calls for a shift toward circular economies and a move away from GDP-based economic growth.
• Environmental crises are inextricably linked to social injustice, as the poorest populations suffer the most despite being the least responsible for the damage. By 2050, over 140 million people in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America may be forced to migrate due to the climate crisis. A 'just transition' is necessary to provide security for those who may lose out as the world moves away from fossil fuels.

APA

Gill, T. (2023). Nuestra casa común. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vatican-sei-v10-20231205-es.pdf

Chicago

Gill, Tom. Nuestra casa común. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2023. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vatican-sei-v10-20231205-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gill |first1=Tom |title=Nuestra casa común |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=14 February 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vatican-sei-v10-20231205-es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gill2023nuestra, author = {Gill, Tom}, title = {{Nuestra casa común}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vatican-sei-v10-20231205-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }