CHRISTIAN leaders from across the world have united to warn of the "catastrophic consequences" of climate change.
Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, released a joint statement on Tuesday, ahead of November's Cop26 climate summit, saying it is a "critical moment" for the future of the planet.
In their first-ever joint statement, the three clerics urged people to play their part in "choosing life" for the planet and called on leaders to make decisions that will allow a transition to "just and sustainable economies".
They also warned of the urgency of environmental sustainability and the impact climate change has on poverty, urging global co-operation on the issue.
The statement said: "We call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us."
The leaders also called for everyone to take individual responsibility for combating climate change and make personal changes to help the crisis.
The statement said: "Our children's future and the future of our common home depend on it."
It added: "Each of us, individually, must take responsibility for the ways we use our resources. This path requires an ever-closer collaboration among all churches in their commitment to care for creation.
"Together as communities, churches, cities, and nations, we must change route and discover new ways of working together to break down the traditional barriers between peoples, to stop competing for resources and start collaborating."
