Environment and the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church in Brazil: Historical Recoveries

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the right to the environment and the influence of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church in Brazil, along with its historical recoveries. The research consists of a bibliographic study in two areas of discussion: environment and religion. It is known that the global risk of climate change has increasingly highlighted the importance of international agreements proposing emission reduction targets, especially for developed countries (due to their high industrialization levels) and developing nations like Brazil, which faces high deforestation and wildfire rates. International conventions have sought to establish a regulatory framework to minimize climate change impacts—otherwise, they may pose a danger to humanity and the entire biodiversity system. Brazil is currently a signatory to various conventions, treaties, and international agreements related to environmental protection. The methodology employed is a literature review, drawing on research sources such as articles, journals, doctrines, and other materials available in major databases (e.g., Google Scholar). On the other hand, the Catholic Church has also engaged in this debate through documents like Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which highlights the current ecological crisis and the planet’s fragility. It calls for urgent dialogue, drawing attention to pollution and climate change—driven by transportation, industrial emissions, chemical waste (contributing to soil and water acidification), fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, pesticides, and agrochemicals—affecting all of humanity.