enforcement, the elimination of corruption, effective responses to undesired side-effects of production
processes, and appropriate intervention where potential or uncertain risks are involved. There is a
growing jurisprudence dealingwith the reduction of pollution by business activities. But political and
institutional frameworks do not exist simply to avoid bad practice, but also to promote best practice, to
stimulate creativity in seekingnew solutions and to encourage individual or group initiatives.
178. A politics concerned with immediate results, supported by consumerist sectors of the
population, is driven to produce short-term growth. In response to electoral interests, governments are
reluctant to upset the public withmeasures which could affect the level of consumption or create risks
for foreign investment. The myopia of power politics delays the inclusion of a far-sighted
environmental agenda within the overall agenda of governments. Thus we forget that “time is greater
than space”,
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that we are alwaysmore effectivewhenwe generate processes rather than holdingon to
positions of power. True statecraft is manifest when, in difficult times, we uphold high principles and
think of the long-term common good. Political powers do not find it easy to assume this duty in the
workofnation-building.
179. In some places, cooperatives are being developed to exploit renewable sources of energywhich
ensure local self-sufficiency and even the sale of surplus energy. This simple example shows that,
while the existing world order proves powerless to assume its responsibilities, local individuals and
groups can make a real difference. They are able to instil a greater sense of responsibility, a strong
sense of community, a readiness to protect others, a spirit of creativity and a deep love for the land.
They are also concerned about what they will eventually leave to their children and grandchildren.
These values are deeply rooted in indigenous peoples. Because the enforcement of laws is at times
inadequate due to corruption, public pressure has to be exerted in order to bring about decisive political
action. Society, through non-governmental organizations and intermediate groups, must put pressure
on governments to developmore rigorous regulations, procedures and controls. Unless citizens control
political power – national, regional and municipal – it will not be possible to control damage to the
environment. Local legislation can be more effective, too, if agreements exist between neighbouring
communities to support the same environmental policies.
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ApostolicExhortation
EvangeliiGaudium
(24November 2013), 222:AAS105 (2013), 1111.
