"The notion of the common good also extends to future generations.
The global economic crises have made painfully obvious the detrimental effects of disregarding our common destiny, which cannot exclude those who come after us.
We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from inter-generational solidarity.
Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently;
we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others.
Since the world has been given to us, we can no longer view reality in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit.
Inter-generational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.
'It [the environment] is on loan to each generation, which must then hand it on to the next'.
An integral ecology is marked by this broader vision.
"What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?
This question not only concerns the environment in isolation; the issue cannot be approached piecemeal.
When we ask ourselves what kind of world we want to leave behind, we think in the first place of its general direction, its meaning and its values.
Unless we struggle with these deeper issues, I do not believe that our concern for ecology will produce significant results.
But if these issues are courageously faced, we are led inexorably to ask other pointed questions:
What is the purpose of our life in this world? Why are we here? What is the goal of our work and all our efforts? What need does the earth have of us?
It is no longer enough, then, simply to state that we should be concerned for future generations.
We need to see that what is at stake is our own dignity.
Leaving an inhabitable planet to future generations is, first and foremost, up to us.
The issue is one which dramatically affects us, for it has to do with the ultimate meaning of our earthly sojourn."
If you agree with those "common sense" pleads for finding accountability and justice between the generations;
to leave the Earth a better place than we found it;
to walk with dignity, the short while we walk on this Earth.
Then you agree with the "common sense" pleads [159 & 160] of Pope Francis -- a new important voice in calling for Environmental Justice, between the generations ...
What kind of world will we leave them anyways? ... one where the Environment is worth fighting for, worth saving. On the road to Recovery?
Or rather will we leave them a world ... that has been all used up -- and discarded -- by the forces of Greed?
The choices here used to be obvious. We need to make them so again.
With this "good man's" help, WE will ... Our common humanity, willing.