“Our Home is Dying, We Are in Utmost Danger.”
We are experiencing an International Crisis of epic and catastrophic proportion from all fronts. We are now at a time when we must act not only to nurture the environment but also to mitigate possible effects of climate change and environmental damage.
In the past months more than a dozen million-acres of rain forests and natural forests had been burned and continue to burn in various parts of the world.
In the Amazon alone, more than 70,000 forest fires continue to run ablaze. The Amazon forest produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen, and is often called “the planet’s lungs.” If this destruction continues then it could start emitting carbon instead which could complicate the current climate situation of the planet.
Pollution levels continue to grow, rivers continue to be polluted and garbage continues to be out of control.
The necessity of Declaring a Worldwide Climate Emergency
A greater understanding of the urgency of DECLARING A CLIMATE URGENCY WORLDWIDE is needed.
According to a recent study, a fifth of the world’s major cities will face “unknown” climate conditions by 2050, as rising temperatures heighten the risks of drought and flooding.
Climate scientists at the Crowther Lab, a research group based at ETH Zurich, a science and technology university, analyzed 520 cities across the world, including all capitals and most urban centers with a population of more than 1 million.
Globally, temperatures are likely to be 2.4C warmer on average – enough to kill nearly every coral reef and soar past targets set out in the Paris Agreement. Cities in tropical regions, which are likely to see the strongest impacts from climate change, will experience smaller changes in average temperature, the study said.
There will also be shifts in rainfall patterns, leading to more severe flooding and droughts, researchers said.
The Philippines Should Immediately Declare a Climate Emergency
In a recent study, the Global Peace Index of 2019, the Philippines is the most susceptible country to hazards brought about by climate change. The study found that 47 percent of the country’s population is in areas highly exposed to climate hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami, floods, tropical cyclones, and drought.
The Philippines was followed by Japan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Pakistan. Manila also placed 7th with most risk to a single climate hazard, while Vietnam topped the list.
As one of the members of Green Philippines (Aksyon Kalikasan), I wish to echo the call and support to the analysis made by Tony La Viña, acting executive director of the Manila Observatory. As stated, the temperature in the country is expected to rise by 7 to 8 degrees Celsius. These changes are “very serious, existential threat.”
With these changes happening it means more Yolanda, droughts, loss of water. The problems we’ve already been facing in the past 10 years will multiply and we will not be able to cope with that.
DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY will allow our country a window of more or less 10 years in which we can try to avert the effects. Declaring a climate emergency will mean shifting to renewable energy and abandoning coal power plants “faster than we’re already doing.
Immediate Action is Needed Worldwide
As a citizen of the Earth and this planet, I stand united with the people of Brazil, South America and the world in calling for an immediate action to stop the further spread of these fires.
I condemn the inaction of Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro. His lack of action and of encouraging logging and farming in the Amazon is putting not only the Amazon at risk but the entire planet.
Seeing that the Amazon fire and forest fires worldwide is not the only issue at hand we, green movements and green parties worldwide should call for a united and immediate
If you are a legislator, it is now time to open your heart and to give thoughtful and thorough consideration
Key Actions That MUST BE Taken
- The Philippines House of Representatives and The Senate should join over 740 local governments in 16 countries, including Britain, in declaring a much needed Climate Emergency.
- The government of the Philippines should allocate the necessary and appropriate budget to implement necessary mitigation on the effects of climate change.
- The Philippine government headed by President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte should support any action to be taken to help the Amazon and other similar emergencies worldwide.
- The government of countries affected by forest fires like Brazil and other countries within the vicinity of the Amazon and other similar forests should enact laws that will increase protections for these important habitats.
- Key global and regional bodies like the United Nations, The Union of South American Nations (Unasur), the G7, the ASEAN, and other related bodies should craft an immediate action and assistance for the areas affected by the forest fires worldwide.
- It is now paramount
for the United Nations to come up with a Convention or Agreement for the protection of major forest covers worldwide.
Together our voices are strong. Together we can help.
DAVID D’ANGELO
National Spokesperson
Green Philippines (Aksyon Kalikasan)
advocacy@greenparty.ph
dave@greenparty.ph
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official statement of Green Philippines (Aksyon Kalikasan). Please refer to our OFFICIAL STATEMENTS for official views, statements and releases.
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