Pinoy environmentalists call for action vs. coal
In addition to proactive environmental conservation and disaster resiliency efforts, a faith-based environmental group at this year’s State of Nature Assessment or “Green SONA” in Puerto Princesa is urging Filipinos to address the problem of climate change through wiser financial and investment decisions.
Living Laudato Si is the latest movement that joins increasing efforts of various non-profit and socio-civic groups to mitigate climate risk in the Philippines. It is a response to the landmark 2015 encyclical issued by Pope Francis, “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home” that outlines concrete steps the Catholic and Christian faithful can take amid a world besieged by challenges of climate change.
According to the group’s lead convenor, environmentalist and 2018 The Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines (TOYM) awardee Rodne Galicha, Filipinos may not realize that they have the “power of the purse” when it comes to contributing to pro-environmental efforts.
In line with global advocacy efforts surrounding the recent landmark United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York, environmental groups in the Philippines launched similar initiatives aimed in particular against continued dependence on fossil fuels in the country’s energy mix.
The Power for People Coalition (P4P) declared last Sept. 24 as National Day of Action Against Coal, the first commemoration of its kind marked by a protest march along Mendiola Street in front of Malacañang Palace together with simultaneous rallies in La Union, Quezon, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Davao City, and other
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“While actions such as avoiding single-use plastics, proper waste management, and other individual measures we take as ordinary Filipinos are very important, an efficient and impactful manner by which we can achieve permanent positive change for the environment is through sustainable enterprise,” he explained.
Globally, companies and businesses are increasingly being called upon to create value for shareholders while ensuring positive impact on the environment.
“Investors and stakeholders in Philippine enterprises have the right to call for sustainable business practices,” said Galicha. “This means making sure that our money is not used for coal-fed power plants, mining, and other environmentally destructive businesses.”
Conversely, Filipinos are urged to support “green” businesses and companies that have clear commitments to sustainable operations.
“It is time that the Philippine business community take the challenge of sustainability seriously,” stressed Galicha in a panel discussion on renewable energy at the 2019 Green SONA organized by Green Convergence Philippines, Forest Foundation Philippines, and supported by Energy Development Corporation. across the country.
Environmentalists, religious groups, and residents of communities affected by coal-fired power plant operations along with other concerned citizens and stakeholders comprised the rally, demanding a moratorium on new coal power plants as well as the full implementation of the Renewable Energy Law.
“The directive of the President to reduce coal reliance and fast-track renewable energy development is clear. We are here to demand a follow through from the administration,” said Ian Rivera of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, one of the member groups of P4P.
“Based on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, we have less than 11 years to avert catastrophic climate change. We can do that by eliminating coal and most advanced countries in the world have done so. But the Philippines is increasing its use of coal-fired power plants against all logic,” said Gerry Arances, lead convenor of P4P.
According to P4P, the Philippines’ energy sustainability ranking has slipped from 70th to 94th, and its environmental sustainability ranking skidded from first to 68th, based on the latest World Energy Council (WEC) Trilemma Index.
“We are one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. We cannot let the current state of affairs continue and expect that we would still have a country to call home in the future. Only direct and decisive action today will prevent certain catastrophe tomorrow,” said Arances.