People living in developed societies must adopt "more sober lifestyles" in order to preserve environmental health Pope Benedict XVI said on Tuesday in a release of his message for World Peace Day.

"It is becoming more and more evident that the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle and the prevailing models of consumption and production, which are often unsustainable from a social, environmental and even economic point of view," Benedict said

Released in wake of the ongoing UN climate conference in Copenhagen, the pope's message speaks that simpler lifestyles are necessary to combat rising issues such as climate change and economic crisis, noting that these crises, "are ultimately also moral crises and all of them are interrelated."

"Sad to say, it is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of many others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment," wrote Benedict, also known as the "green pope" for his environmental focus.

"Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all," he continued. "It is an urgent challenge, one to be faced with renewed and concerted commitment; it is also a providential opportunity to hand down to coming generations the prospect of a better future for all."

The pope ended his message with a plea to "all believers to raise a fervent prayer to God, the all-powerful creator and the father of mercies, so that all men and women may take to heart the urgent appeal: If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation."