Pope Benedict, in Sydney, Australia, for a Catholic Convention, is receiving a great deal of attention for his concern about global warming. Exhorting his flock to combat the problem, he places emphasis on the conservation of natural resources and on efforts to reduce our production of greenhouse gases. But, in a rush to label him "the first Green Pope," reporters and admirers overlook the fact that his Church's stance on birth control is one of the key impediments to effectively dealing with this threat.
To the extent that humans are responsible for climate change, the unchecked growth of our population, especially in developing countries, is a primary factor. Technology and conservation measures will not be successful unless combined with efforts to reduce human population growth. If the Pope is truly alarmed by the prospects of climate-induced catastrophe, he would best serve our species and our planet by reversing the antiquated teachings of his Church.
