<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/Pope-Encyclical2.png" style="width: 691px; height: 800px;" /></a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">ENGLISH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">FRENCH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…; target="_blank">GERMAN</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…;|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_en…; target="_blank">SPANISH</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/papa-francesco_20…; target="_blank">PORTUGUESE</a></strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/Enciclica_Arabic…; target="_blank">ARABIC</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Pope Francis&rsquo; Encyclical is a definitive moral case for action on climate change.</strong>&nbsp;It is a teaching document that acknowledges, and stands in solidarity with the overwhelming scientific consensus, and vocalises what all know to be true: fossil fuels and unchecked exploitation of the natural world are irreversibly damaging our common home. Taking action on climate change and empowering poor countries to develop sustainably is both morally and economically right.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>The Pope&rsquo;s Encyclical calls for an urgent moral response to a reality established by robust scientific evidence.</strong>&nbsp;It does not speculate on the causes of climate change itself. Pope Francis is doing his job as a moral leader, calling for the protection of vulnerable people and proper stewardship of &ldquo;our common home&rdquo;, the earth. He appropriately labels acts risking the integrity of our planet as &ldquo;sins&rdquo;, provides the environmental movement with a boost of moral support, and condemns indifference, denialism and obstructionism.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>His Holiness is calling for all of us, not just Catholics, to care for people and the planet.</strong>&nbsp;The encyclical on ecology draws from the deep well of Church teaching on these issues to lay out the moral imperative of tackling the root causes of the greatest interlinked challenges of our time: climate change and poverty. The Pope is adding his voice to a global choir of leaders from all walks of life who are demanding action, calling for an end of fossil fuels, a future powered by renewables, and a strong climate deal in Paris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The World Bank says the pope&rsquo;s encyclical is a &ldquo;stark reminder&rdquo; of the link between climate change and poverty.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/the-latest-vatican-laun…; target="_blank">World Bank President Jim Yong Kim</a>&nbsp;says climate change impacts,&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;including the increased frequency of extreme weather events, are most devastating for the unacceptably high number of people today living in extreme poverty.&rdquo;</strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>He says that over the past 30 years weather-related disasters killed more than 2.5 million people and resulted in almost $4 trillion in damage.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><strong>&ldquo;As the effects of climate change worsen, we know that escaping poverty will become even more difficult,&rdquo;&nbsp;</strong>he said. <strong>&ldquo;Climate change also poses a direct risk to the hard-earned development gains over past decades.&rdquo;</strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>&middot; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1.&nbsp;<strong>Cyclist Urban System</strong>: A plan to create dedicated &ldquo;cyclist hubs&rdquo; across Jakarta, where cyclists can park their bikes, get dressed, buy refreshments, repair their bikes, obtain first aid assistance and route information, and eventually, rent bikes.</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.&nbsp;<strong>Jalan Aman (Safe Passage)</strong>: A mobile application that focuses on the safety of female commuters, allowing users to share their location, report incidences of assault and access information on safe transportation options from other users.</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.&nbsp;<strong>Squee Mobile App</strong>: A sharing app that unifies pedestrians and cyclists to travel together on shorter, safer non‐motorized routes across Jakarta&#39;s urban kampongs (villages).</p>

<p>The three finalists will be invited to present their projects to an audience of 800 urban leaders and thinkers from around the world at the&nbsp;<strong>New Cities Summit</strong>, which is taking place for the first time in Jakarta on June 9 - 11.&nbsp; Each finalist will have five minutes to present their idea on the main stage and inspire the audience and impress the judging panel. The winner will be selected by a prestigious&nbsp;panel including&nbsp;<a href="http://www.muhammadyunus.org/&quot; target="_blank">Muhammad Yunus</a>, Nobel Prize recipient and Founder of the Grameen Bank; and Sutanto Soedodho, Jakarta&#39;s Deputy Governor for Industry Trade and Transportation.</p>

<p>The winner will receive $10,000, while the second and third runners-up will receive $6,000 and $4,000 respectively. All three finalists will use the money to implement their projects in Jakarta.</p>

<p><a href="/sites/default/files/upload/Jakarta%20Urban%20Challenge%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Download the press release on the finalists and competition</a>.</p>