Earth Day call: Rethink energy solutions

MANILA, Philippines —  As the world celebrates Earth Day amid an energy crisis, calls are mounting for the Philippine government to “think differently” in addressing energy needs without further straining the environment while ensuring accountability and scaling up sustainable, community-driven solutions.

The observance on April 22, themed “One Power, One Planet,” underscores not only the global energy challenge but also the role of individual and collective choices in shaping a more sustainable future.

Amid depleting energy supplies, authorities have recently greenlit the temporary use of dirtier Euro 2 petroleum products and noted an increased reliance on charcoal and firewood, which the International Energy Agency (IEA) discouraged due to their impact on both the environment and human health.

Angela Consuelo Ibay, head of the climate and energy program unit at World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, stressed that such decisions must account for their broader consequences.

“I think there are other measures that the government can think of which will, in fact, still be choices … that will carry a lesser energy footprint and enable us to still be able to have it as cost-effective as possible,” Ibay told The STAR yesterday.

“I think one of the things they probably don’t count and often discount are the indirect effects and costs, which we need as a society to also take into consideration,” she underscored.

Ibay rejected proposals to expand coal use, even temporarily, amid arguments that the Philippines is not a major contributor to global emissions.

While the Philippines has imposed a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants since 2020, demand for existing ones continues to rise.

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the agency is developing a national policy to institutionalize nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

In another development, around 100 demonstrators gathered in Manila to condemn the US-Israel attacks in the Middle East, which they said have disrupted oil supply and contributed to rising fuel prices. – With Bella Cariaso, Josiah Antonio, Andrew Ronquillo