January 15, 2015 -- In response to the Obama administration’s announcement on January 14 on methane regulations, Gerry Lee, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, said:
"Maryknoll sends Catholic missioners from the United States to serve among marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Already, Maryknoll missioners witness the impacts of global climate change from super typhoons to severe droughts. During his visit this week to the Philippines and to the site of Typhoon Haiyan, Pope Francis calls the Church and global community to respond to the serious moral issue of climate change. Methane emissions, especially from oil and gas operations, contribute significantly to global climate change.
"We applaud the Obama administration’s efforts to reduce methane emissions by 40 to 45 percent by 2025. This is an incredibly important step towards reducing our overall greenhouse gas emissions. However, we believe that the technology exists to address methane from existing wells and refineries today rather than a decade from now. We look forward to working with the administration to make a strong rule that holds the oil and gas industry accountable to the communities most impacted by climate change."
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns provides analysis, advocacy opportunities, and education around issues of economic and ecological justice and peace on behalf of Maryknoll priests and brothers, sisters, and lay missioners.
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