CELEBRATING THE 10 YEARS OF LAUDATO SI RAISING HOPE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

Pope Francis explicitly draws connections between the degradation of the natural world and the suffering of humanity, particularly the most vulnerable. "Laudato Si'" is also related to social justice issues like human trafficking in the following ways; 1. Integral Ecology: • The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor: A central theme of "Laudato Si'" is the concept of "integral ecology," which recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental and social crises. Pope Francis stated, "We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature" (LS 139). • Human Dignity: The encyclical consistently emphasizes the intrinsic dignity of every human person. It argues that a true concern for the environment cannot be separated from a concern for our fellow human beings, especially those marginalized and exploited. Treating the environment with disrespect often goes hand-in-hand with treating people with disrespect. 2. Environmental Degradation as a Driver of Vulnerability: • Resource Scarcity and Displacement: As we discussed earlier, "Laudato Si'" highlights how environmental degradation (pollution, climate change, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity) disproportionately affects the poor. This can lead to loss of livelihoods, forced migration, and displacement, making individuals and communities more vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. When people are desperate for survival, they may be more easily lured by false promises of work or safety. • Climate Refugees: The encyclical specifically mentions the issue of climate-induced migration (LS 25), acknowledging that environmental changes will force more people to leave their homes, increasing their risk of being trafficked. And so as St.Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda we join the rest of the world to add our voice on conserving our Nature