Pope issues dire climate warning to world leaders

VATICAN CITY: Hurricanes that lashed the United States and the Caribbean were a warning to world leaders that humanity would ‘‘go down’’ if it did not address climate change, Pope Francis said yesterday.

The Pope said those who failed to act were ‘‘stupid’’ and would be judged by history for failing in their ‘‘moral responsibility’’.

Speaking on a plane returning from his visit to Colombia, the pontiff said: ‘‘If we don’t turn back, we will go down. Those who deny it should go to the scientists and ask them. They are very clear, very precise. They [ world leaders] decide and history will judge those decisions.’’

He added: ‘‘A phrase from the Old Testament comes to mind: ‘Man is stupid, a stubborn, blind man’. All of us have a responsibility, all of us, small or large, a moral responsibility. Each person has their own. Even politicians have their own.’’

In June, Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord, agreed by nearly 200 countries in 2015, which aims to cut carbon emissions. The president said it undermined the US economy.

The Pope’s comments came as Florida began a mammoth cleanup operation after taking a pummelling from Irma. Coconuts and palm fronds became flying missiles. The hurricane left homes flooded, streets became rivers, giant cranes and trees snapped, and 5.7 million people were left without power. Boats lay partly submerged and petrol stations had roofs blown off. Several people died in traffic accidents.

Returning residents consoled each other as some found their homes damaged and lawns turned into lakes.

Dozens were arrested for looting, including from sports shops and a gun store, and more than 3500 flights were cancelled yesterday.

Estimates suggested the two recent hurricanes, Irma and Harvey, could together cost the US economy as much as US$290 billion. - Telegraph Group

Nearly seven million people had been ordered to evacuate before Irma and rescuers went door-to-door looking for many who had stayed behind, especially in the battered Florida Keys.

George Ramos, a resident on Summerland Key, said the sea surged into his garage, leaving fish in his swimming pool and a boat in his back garden. He said: ‘‘I have no idea who the boat belongs to. The storm sounded like war. It sounded like explosives.’’

Martin Senterfitt, the local emergency director, warned of a ‘‘humanitarian crisis’’ and said ‘‘disaster mortuary teams’’ were being sent in case of deaths.

The storm was the strongest to hit the Florida Keys since Hurricane Donna in 1960. On the mainland it initially sucked water away from beaches. In Sarasota two manatees were left high and dry before residents dragged them back towards the water.

In Miami people returned to walk around a downtown littered with fallen palm trees and toppled traffic lights.