June is celebrated worldwide as the “Environment Month” and the arrival of former US President Al Gore is a perfect opportunity to challenge Filipinos into doing what they can to “protect human civilization as we know it.” As Gore put it, we have to act now if we do not want our grandchildren to “one day look back on us as a criminal generation that had selfishly and blithely ignored clear warnings that their fate was in our hands.”
Al Gore has been batting for the environment since 1976 when he was a member of the US House of Representatives, conducting hearings on climate change, toxic waste and global warming. In fact, he became part of the “Atari Democrats” in the ‘80s, composed of Democratic politicians who consider clean air, clean water and global warming as critical political issues in the future. In the beginning, not too many people believed him but now, Gore has become a key figure in the global arena on the issue of climate change. From what we are told, he was so passionate about his advocacy that he spent so much time traveling all over the world and “went for broke” giving lectures and seminars on the environment – to the point that his marriage to his wife Tipper broke up. They recently announced their separation after 40 years of being married. (The distinguished-looking Gore better watch out, he may not be single for long especially after his stay here).
Gore will be here for a lecture series (with The Philippine Star as one of the sponsors) on global warming and climate change this June 8. He is expected to give an Asian version of “The Inconvenient Truth,” the controversial documentary that won him an Academy award in 2007. Although some groups criticize Gore over a number of issues (PETA takes him to task for not promoting vegetarianism) including his enormous electricity bills (he uses renewable energy which costs more than regular energy), and some mistakes in his documentary, Gore continues to “go for broke” in his advocacy, tirelessly warning people about the consequences if leaders continue to disregard nature’s clear warnings.
It’s rather unfortunate that the United States continues to refuse being a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, and many Americans are still apathetic about environmental protection. But the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is beginning to make Americans aware of the enormous consequences of such disasters on the environment and ultimately, in their lives. More than 30 million gallons of oil may have poured into the Gulf and the continuing fallout from the spill – considered as the biggest oil disaster in the recent history of the US – may devastate the fishing industry in Louisiana and nearby areas. (The United States consumes about 21 million barrels per day with local production just accounting for six million barrels a day. Gore has long warned about the national security risk posed by America’s continued dependence on imported oil).
Indeed, the series of disasters occurring all over the world seem to lend credence to Gore’s warnings that whether people believe it or not, “we can’t wish away climate change.” The appearance of a giant, 200-ft deep sinkhole that swallowed a house and a three-story building in Guatemala City was so shocking that some are saying the photo was doctored. Authorities are still trying to determine the cause, but initial theories point to tropical storm Agatha (which devastated Guatemala City) whose waters may have eroded the surface soil under which cavities have been slowly forming.
Sinkholes are formed when water dissolves soft limestone, creating an underground cavity. Aquifers or underground layers of groundwater serve as buffers between the cavity and the earth’s surface. But when the groundwater is removed or depleted, the top of the cavity collapses, creating a sinkhole. Experts noted that drying aquifers are causing cities to sink slowly into the ground. In China, 46 cities are sinking due to excessive pumping of groundwater. Studies also show that farmlands are sinking in Iran due to enormous demand for water, with 50 percent of the supply drawn from aquifers. Last January, sinkholes appeared in Tampa, Florida, and residents are blaming farmers who pumped millions of gallons of groundwater to protect their crops, causing aquifer levels to fall by as much as 60 feet.
In the Philippines, the excessive extraction of groundwater is causing cities to sink slowly. Overpopulated areas like Metro Manila are at high risk due to the overwhelming demand by too many people for water for drinking, bathing, washing and other needs. This is exacerbated by the construction of deep wells by private subdivision owners and business establishments, especially industries whose operations require huge amounts of water. Previous studies disclosed that aside from Metro Manila, seven other areas were identified as “water critical”: Baguio, Davao, Metro Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Angeles in Pampanga.
Just recently, a group of environmentalists led by eco-lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Tony Oposa filed a petition for government to create “rainwater collectors” in the country, invoking a little-known, 21-year-old law called the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Law or Republic Act 6716. The group wants government to construct catch basins that would help prevent flooding during the rainy season and at the same time, function as sources of freshwater especially during dry seasons compounded by El Niño. The Supreme Court, which in April issued the landmark Rules of Procedure for Environmental Causes whose provisions include the “writ of kalikasan,” has ordered Malacañang to answer the petition of the group.
After Ondoy and Pepeng, more and more Filipinos are becoming aware of the devastating consequences of natural disasters. Gore’s arrival is timely for all of us to be reminded that climate change is indeed upon us.
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Email: babe_tcb@yahoo.com