Celebrating nature despite its myriad changes
SEN. LOREN AND KULTURA:
EN. LOREN Legarda’s environmental advocacy has made her aware that “the intensity of climate change has made our communities and citizens become more vulnerable to disaster risks.”
Because of this, she is one of the staunchest supporters of Filipino artisans. Long before disaster risk reduction or DRR became a buzzword, Legarda was already an advocate of climate change awareness. In fact, she was appointed by the United Nations (UN) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction as its regional champion for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (CCA) for Asia and the Pacific in 2008.
“The goal of sustainable development can only be reached when all stakeholders are attentive to issues pertaining to environmental degradation. SM’s Trash for Cash program is a laudable initiative, as it brings the idea of recycling to the minds of the Filipino people. It is important that we all contribute in communicating that environmental initiatives geared towards preservation, like recycling, are necessary in ensuring disaster-resilient and sustainable development,” Legarda said.
During a visit to Kultura Filipino’s Makati store, Legarda was happy to see fashionable items made of organic materials, like piña, silk and abaca. These natural fabrics help encourage environmental awareness to consumers and showcase Filipino fashion that is green and sustainable.
“Kultura’s fiber crafts reveal the beauty of our tropical fabrics made
from natural fibers,” Legarda, author of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, said. “It’s all about celebrating nature.”
These skillfully crafted products can be found at the Kultura Filipino stores in SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, SM Aura Premier and at selected SM stores.
UN champion
As a UN Champion, she intensified her information, education and communication campaign on disaster preparedness through DRR workshops from the regional down to the barangay levels and DRR lectures in state universities and colleges.
Last month alone, Legarda launched “Ligtas,” an instructional video on disaster preparedness. She also produced other films on DRR and the environment, such as “Now is the Time,” “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyudrama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima (Rains in the Summer: A Doc- umentary Drama on Climate Change),” the children’s animation movie “Ligtas Likas” and “Buhos (Downpour).”
“There was a time when Filipinos saw the environment as independent from economic growth, food security and even survival,” she said. “But today, this has drastically improved, with more Filipinos advocating for more sustainable and green development. Environmental issues are no longer at the periphery or the sidelines; it has become a core issue that needs to be addressed.”
Now on her third term, the priority of the reelected official as chair of the Senate committee on environment and committee on climate change will be the assessment of the state of implementation of the laws on environment, DRR and CCA.
Known as a game changer for Asia amid the increasing risks of a warming world and changing climate, Legarda shared her vision of a safer and greener world for all. She advocates for green growth and sustainable development for nations, and challenges world leaders to save our planet and preserve humankind.
Legarda worked for the enactment of laws on environmental governance, like the Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749); the Environmental Awareness Education Act (RA 9512); the Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513); the Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003); the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121); the Climate Change Act (RA 9729), which is her landmark legislation that is considered a model for other nations; and its amendatory law (RA 10174), which provides for the creation of the People’s Survival Fund.
In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conferred on her the title of UNEP Laureate and included her in the Global 500 Roll of Honor. She was also awarded by Priyadarshni Academy in India for her exemplary contributions to the environment and hailed by the University of the Philippines as its 2013 Distinguished Alumna for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation.