"VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI called for urgent action to protect the environment, saying Tuesday that climate change and natural catastrophes threaten the rights to life, food, health -- and ultimately peace.

In his annual message on the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, the pope argued that the world's economic, social, and environmental problems are moral crises that require mankind to rethink its way of living.

'We can no longer do without a real change of outlook which will result in new life-styles,' he said, touching again on a theme that has earned him a reputation as the 'green pope.'"

The Associated Press had the story December 15, 2009.
[2]
See Also:

"Rich Nations Must Assume Environmental Duties: Pope" (Reuters) [3]