Pope's call on climate change can boost environmental movement, KU sociologist says

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas researcher on modern social issues and globalization is available to comment on Pope Francis' call for business leaders and politicians to take action against climate change.

Francis on his state visit to the United States has addressed environmental issues and climate change in both his remarks Wednesday at the White House and today before a joint session of Congress. This is in addition his encyclical "Laudato Sí," released earlier this year. The pope is scheduled to visit New York and Philadelphia later this week.

Robert Antonio, professor of sociology, was co-author of an essay, "The Pope's fateful vision of hope for society and the planet," published earlier this week in the journal Nature. Antonio and co-author Robert Brulle, a Drexel University professor of sociology, addressed Francis' stance on climate change, which stressed a moral vision for the environmental movement.

"The encyclical urges a much broader, ethically engaged public discourse about climate change impacts and environmental justice, which will require mediation between the scientific and public realms," Antonio said.

To arrange an interview with Antonio, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.