In the U.S., Climate Politics Trump the Pope's Message

The encyclical "Laudato si: On the Care of Our Common Home" might have scored public relations points among environmentalists last year, but according to a new study, it didn't score any points with Catholics or the broader U.S. population.

1 minute read

October 27, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Pope Francis

Ivan Cholakov / Shutterstock

Sam Wood writes: "Pope Francis’s call last year for 'swift and unified global action' to reverse climate change fell largely on deaf ears and closed minds, according to a study published Monday, and may indicate that in the U.S. politics holds stronger sway on this topic than religious authority."

The study, published by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, "speaks to the relative power of politics and religion in shaping climate change opinions," according to the conclusion presented in the paper. The researchers even went so far as to argue that the move "backfired" by "devaluing the Pope's credibility on climate change" among Catholics.

Pope Francis released the encyclical "Laudato si: On the Care of Our Common Home" to immediate praise among environmentalists and planners in June 2015. It's worth noting that among the outpouring of media attention granted to Pope Francis's encyclical, Ben Adler predicted that the message would likely fall on deaf ears in the United States and around the world. 

Tuesday, October 25, 2016 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.