In a blunt and straight to the point document, Pope Francis yesterday called on the world to safeguard the environment and to put right the “structurally perverse” economic system.

The Pope does not mince his words and said the current economic system of the rich exploiting the poor is turning the earth into an “immense pile of filty”. The words thing about it all is that the Pope’s damning verdict is 100% correct.

This was the first time that a Pope has penned a manifesto that deals specifically about the environment.  He also says that short and medium-term fixes are not enough and that the world needs to redefine its notion of progress.

The Pope’s words also hold true for Malta. He speaks of sustainable development at a time when most of Malta is up in arms at a government decision to allow a university to be developed at Zonqor Point, one of Malta’s few pieces of virgin land in the South of the country.

Francis said he hoped his effort would lead ordinary people in their daily lives and decision-makers at critical UN climate meetings later this year to a wholesale change of mind and heart, saying "both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor" must now be heard.

But yet, on a global scale, business leaders have responded by saying that the earth and our way of life is driven by the energy we produce and the progress that we make.

But at what cost? Pope Francis is a scientist and he has said, in no uncertain terms, that the world is warming and that we will head towards destruction if we do not do something about it now.

One of Francis' core points is that there really is no distinction between human beings, their faith and the environment. That thought could also be easily applied to Malta, not in terms of creed, but in terms of political allegiance.

Malta is not the centre of the world, but the least we can do in the face of such global challenges is preserve what we have and at least try to not over develop these tiny islands we live on.

Citing the deforestation of the Amazon, the melting of Arctic glaciers and the death of coral reefs, he rebukes "obstructionist" climate doubters who "seem mostly to be concerned with masking the problems or concealing their symptoms." And he blames politicians for listening more to oil industry interests than Scripture or common sense.

He praises a "less is more" lifestyle that he is known for, one that shuns air conditioners and gated communities in favour of car-pooling, recycling and being in close touch with the poor and marginalized.

It is not rocket science. Many global and local environmental groups have put such ideas forward time and time again, but no one ever really listens. If there’s one thing that Pope Francis commands, it is people’s attention. Let us hope that some reading is being done at Castille, and other ministries, in the hope that Malta will not be allowed to head down the route of ruin.