CLIMATE change is one of the greatest threats to mankind, along with terrorism. Since this man-made event seriously affects the whole earth, it needs attention by the global citizenry.
Scientists noted that since 1880, the average global temperature has gone up by 0.8 Celsius and is already creating unprecedented extreme weather disturbances like Supertyphoon Yolanda.
If we allow the temperature to rise by 2.5 degrees Celsius, 30 percent of the earth’s flora and fauna—upon which man depends for sustenance and medicine—will be wiped out.
This is the reason 196 nations have gathered in Paris, France, from November 30 to December 11 this year to take part in the Paris Climate Change Conference that will try to forge legally binding measures to mandate signatory-nations to contain the increase to a maximum of 2.0 degrees Celsius in the next 50 years.
Scientists warn that failure to do so would result in an “inhospitable earth to humans that will threaten vast land areas with super storms, droughts and rising sea levels.”
The greatest sources of the so-called greenhouse gas include the burning of fuels for electricity, heat and transportation. The Philippines, though not a major contributor to carbon-gas emission, is one of the most vulnerable nations being situated along the typhoon belt and earthquake path.
In the last three years, the Philippines has become the “Poster Boy” of disasters, with the killer quake of 7.2 magnitude that hit Bohol in 2013, and the devastation of Yolanda that wasted thousands of human lives.
Few people know that the Philippines is a maritime nation. It has 240 million hectares of marine area and only 30 million hectares of land mass. The trouble is, only 5 percent of our coral reefs are healthy—making us vulnerable to assaults of nature.
The epidemic of dengue in many parts of the world is being linked to global warming, which created more breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Such events bring to the fore the importance of the Paric climate meeting. Thus, apart from their commitment to contain greenhouse gas, 53 nations will contribute to a “Green Finance Facility” to combat the global warming and help poorer nations to cope.
There are 500 million children on earth living in flood-prone areas. They also happen to be living either on $3-a-day-income families, or living below poverty line. When floods strike, it spread killer diseases like malaria, diarrhea and malnutrition. When drought strikes, food becomes scarce and the children have the least means to secure food for sustenance.
The government and society in general must hold hands together to stop global warming. Sen. Loren Legarda, finance chairman and currently Global Champion for Climate Change of the United Nations, said that about P88 billion had been embedded in the budget of various line agencies to combat and mitigate climate change. For example, the Department of Social Welfare Development has inserted an environment aspect to the Conditional Cash-Transfer Program in terms of public education.
Many local government units currently stand guilty of not having any solid waste-disposal system. In the private sector, many mining and manufacturing firms continue to emit fumes and chemicals. Private resorts throw their waste irresponsibly into the rivers, lakes and seas. Coal remains a major source of power—although it is the filthiest.
As private citizens we can help the global cause by segregating biodegradable waste from the nonbiodegradable ones. We must practice electricity-saving measures. Or better yet, switch to solar and wind alternatives. We can also do good by changing our habits: Eat local non-processed food, use low carbon technologies and boycott gas guzzlers on the road.
In short, if we consume less, we help promote environmental protection. The war against climate change is being waged worldwide. Let’s do our share to help save the planet.
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Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant, media practitioner and political strategist. He is a life member of Finex but his views here are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex. He can be reached at dejarescobingo@yahoo.com.
