Climate activists are deepening calls for a halt to plans for oil and gas exploration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and seeking the Pope’s support in this, as he visits the country on Tuesday.
The activists have been fighting against oil development activities in the Virunga national park and, more recently, against the government’s plans to auction off 30 oil and gas blocks.
They do this by pointing out the grave dangers these activities pose to fragile ecosystems, local communities, livelihoods and the climate.
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In order to promote the use of renewable energy sources, they have called on the Pope to endorse their demands that the government cancel its planned auction of oil and gas blocks and suspend all oil production activities in the Virunga Mountains.
Pope Francis has not kept calm about the urgency with which the world must abandon fossil fuels and forge ahead with the development of sustainable energy sources.
Story was adapted from EnviroNews.
