The former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger launches a global call to fight pollution, emphasising that cooperation and a communication approach aimed at the “heart” are the key to success.
Speaking at the International Conference at Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo, the former actor expressed great enthusiasm for the involvement of religious institutions: “The Catholic Church has done extraordinary things and with its 1.4 billion faithful, who can become ‘environmental crusaders’, it has exceptional strength.
Schwarzenegger then responded firmly to those who consider it impossible Reconciling economic growth and environmental protection, giving the example of his political experience: “In California, I put Republicans and Democrats together. They called me crazy. They told me I couldn't take care of the economy and the environment at the same time. Yet we succeeded, accomplishing so many things environmentally while achieving extraordinary results economically.”
The former governor called on citizens not to hide behind political excuses, but to unite in concrete action: “The question is what you can do for the environment. It can be done. But one must speak to the heart, not the brain.”
Schwarzenegger reiterated his basic rule, borrowed from his film career: “Never listen to the prophets of doom, because there will always be someone who says you can't.”
The former governor went on to say how it is essential to change the way the climate emergency is communicated: “We must not communicate to the brains, because nobody understands when we talk about environmental vocabulary, climate change, zero emission: different answers would come. We have to communicate to the heart. Let's talk for example about the fact that pollution is capable of killing 7 million people every year.”
Schwarzenegger concluded on a personal note, emphasising the profound significance of his commitment: “I don't earn a dollar, but it gives me the greatest of joys. We must leave the land better than we found it. And this is an order from above.”
