Aquino to world leaders: Do everything to combat climate change

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III urged global leaders to do everything they can to address the threat of climate change.

In his speech at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York, Aquino said the time of debate of whether climate change is real or not is over.

He said it is also wrong to engage in another long debate over the individual commitments of countries in the battle against climate change.

"Instead, everyone here has to do everything they can to address climate change, without first waiting for their neighbors to engage in action. Doing anything less leaves the problem unattended to thereby increasing the problem we all face," the Filipino leader said.

Aquino called for collective action, saying climate change does not recognize national boundaries or political or economic affiliations.

"The choice before us, then, is clear: Together we must face these challenges and surmount them, or together we will suffer the consequences of inaction," he said.

The President touted the Philippines' solutions to combat climate change. He said the country is not waiting and is addressing climate change to the maximum despite its limited resources.

Among the country's actions are the enactment of a Renewable Energy Act and a legislation that would lessen the impact of disasters by adopting a comprehensive approach to disaster response.

Philippine forecasting agencies have also been empowered so they can give timely warnings to vulnerable communities for national and local authorities and residents.

Aquino said the country has also undertaken multi-hazard and geo-hazard mapping for effective assessment risk, a massive re-greening program and an anti-illegal logging campaign.

"It would not be an exaggeration to say that Filipinos bear a disproportionate amount of the burden when it comes to climate change. Being less industrialized, we are not a major emitter. Still, even while the fulfillment of our full development potential remains on the horizon, we see the opportunities borne of more environmentally progressive policies," Aquino said.

In an interview with Here & Now radio, Aquino said he wanted to demonstrate the adaptation interventions being done by the Philippines and show certain successes to motivate other nations.

"But it’s still a work in progress, and it seems we have to lend our voice now before we can see the successes we are trying to implement," Aquino told Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson

"Every country can do more, including the Philippines," he added.

Aquino said he attended the Climate Change Summit partly because of the "very strong call" from US President Barack Obama, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and European leaders.