Comments on the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum
Luis T. Gutiérrez
November 2023
Source: Ignatian Solidarity Network, 24 October 2023. This video covers the introduction, the global climate crisis, and the growing technocratic paradigm. For videos on other themes of Laudate Deum (the weakness of international politics, the progress and failures of climate conferences, what to expect from COP28 in Dubai, and spiritual motivations) go to this website.
It is addressed "to all people of good will" and is very appealing in the humanitarian dimension.
It clearly confirms that humans are part of nature, and economy should be subsidiary to ecology.
It clearly explains the inadequacies/abuses of the modern industrial technocratic paradigm.
It clearly states that the climate/environmental crisis is a matter of human survival.
It alludes to the possibility of global collapse and human extinction.
It is too focused on the climate crisis and is based on IPCC data that is controversial.
It says practically nothing on many other dimensions of the ecological crisis.
It says nothing on overpopulation, which is the main driver of ecological overshoot.
It says nothing on the connection between gender equality and human ecology.
It says nothing on the patriarchal culture that is a primary driver of social/ecological injustice.
It recognizes that unlimited growth is a myth, but the degrowth alternative is not mentioned.
It is naive in assuming that renewable energy sources can eventually replace fossil fuels.
It fails to clarify that renewable energy can be a solution only if energy demand decreases.
It fails to mention that renewable energy requires rare metals mined by poor/child labor.
It reiterates the critical need for effective democratic global governance with subsidiarity.
It says nothing on what the church can do to reduce her own institutional footprint worldwide.
In brief, Laudate Deum is another humanitarian appeal that will be widely ignored by most people immersed in the modern techno-patriarchal paradigm that is depicted in the following cartoon:
Source: Andrew Gaines, Leaders in Energy. Click on the image to enlarge.
![[groups_small]](groups_small.gif)