A greater commitment for the poor and for climate defence: it was asked by the Bishops’ Conferences of G8 countries in a common letter sent to respective heads of government, made known yesterday. In the document, the bishops of Germany, England and Wales, Scotland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the Russian Federation, and the United States made an appeal to the participants in the G8 summit of Tokyo, asking for respect of the obligations assumed during the summits of Gleneagles (2005) and Heiligendamm (2007). "Further aids are necessary in relation to health assistance and education. Humanitarian aids are also necessary", wrote the bishops, defining the defence of life and respect for human dignity "a moral and religious obligation". "A global fair trade policy is necessary, which should grant human work conditions", they declared. The document pointed out that the consequences of climate change affect the poor, above all, "even though they are the ones who are less responsible for climate change". The costs deriving from that "should be born from the peoples and the countries taking economic advantage from emissions". Furthermore, it is up to them to finance the development of eco-compatible technologies to face climate change.
