Blogs
Philippines--Final Report
The first line of defense in climate change are awareness and education campaigns. We must find creative ways to let people know how bad the damage is to the environment—and get them involved in becoming part of the solution.
Strategies to do this are via--
1. Social media
2. Public pressure on government
Global policy recommendations for UNFCCC items:
1. Aid to Developing Countries
Nationwide level--As Chairperson of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, we must demand that the funds disbursed as aid for developing countries must indeed go to their rightfully designated recipients. To avoid funds being lost or mismanaged due to corruption, as what happened with Typhoon Yolanda, we must demand for strong mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability, as well as people’s participation in the disbursement and usage of those funds.
We are also looking forward to partnerships and participation with the campaigns of such organizations as the Freedom of Debt Coalition and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice as well as the GlobalCampaign to Demand Climate Justice.
On a global level, we are realizing that consultation for the disbursement of aid must be made and given at community levels to avoid loss due to corruption, with transparency and accountability measures in place. The emphasis for the disbursement of funds must be on sustainable projects.
2. Adaptation and Resilience
Local: In 2013, the Philippines as named the nation most vulnerable to climate change. As such, and considering that many Filipino communities are in remote areas, it’s of utmost importance that we strengthen capacity building at the local government level for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Action. The Philippine government passed Republic Act 10174, also known as the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) in 2012 to help local communities implement their local climate change adaptation plan that will give them more resiliency in the face of climate change and its impacts, but today, three years later, the Manual of Operations has yet to be signed and implemented.
Aside from government-mandated adaptation and resilience plans, there can also be volunteer-led community programs to teach on disaster management, safety and collective action. Partnership with such groups as Search and Rescue Foundation (SARUF) to conduct trainings in different communities is also important.
International: We strongly advocate capacity building at the local government level for Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Action. We also strongly suggest initiate volunteer-led community programs to teach on disaster management, safety and collective action.
3. Energy
At present, 84% of the Philippines’ energy needs is provided by fossil fuels. We must push to prioritize a shift to 50% of our power coming from renewable sources at the soonest possible time—reducing the consumption of goal and gas. Studies show that renewable energy usage in the Philippines is affordable and sustainable. Eventually, the Philippines must become fossil fuel-free. This is the ultimate goal. Partnership with the Green Energy Movement and Renewable Energy Philippines in the future is a good step to take.
On a global scale, there must be a reduction of fossil fuel use as much as possible as quickly as possible. Promote and invest in renewable energy. The ultimate goal is for all nations to be fossil fuel free.
4.Agriculture
As 30% of the Philippine population is dependent on agriculture for livelihood, this is of utmost importance as well. We must push for sustainable agriculture and agro-ecology production that prioritizes domestic consumption. There also needs to be safety nets for farmers, including sustained credit and weather index-based insurance, etc. All stakeholders along with applicable government agencies must participate in promoting this. We, as students can have partnerships with the activities and campaigns of groups such as Masipag, a network of 630 farmers' groups.
Worldwide, we must also promote sustainable agriculture and agro-ecology production that prioritizes domestic consumption.
5. Oceans and Water
The Philippines is in the top 5 countries responsible for polluting the oceans, mainly due to our inefficient, corrupt and un-transparent waste management systems, which causes trash to be dumped near bodies of water, which then goes into the seas. We need to put public pressure on our government to change our garbage disposal policies completely. It must be instituted into the law of our land. Our government must become completely transparent with how waste is disposed of. Systems of separating and recycling trash must be put in place. Treatment of trash can also be done through gasification and incineration with energy recovery.
Worldwide, there has got to be an application of water technologies for the better use of water. Find and implement solutions for ocean waste, including the use of plastic and excessive packaging
6.Land/forest management
We must tackle the problem of mining in the Philippines. Mining is not only extremely harmful to the environment, but indigenous tribes are being forced out of their ancestral lands due to mining interests. We need to raise awareness on and promote that The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act (RA) 7942, which liberalized and consequently intensified large-scale mining in the country, must be repealed. The cost on our country and our people is too great.
Globally, further deforestation must be prevented and reforestation promoted. Mining must be stopped. Ancestral lands of indigenous peoples must be protected.
