Advocates join Walk for Climate Justice

CEBU, Philippines – Despite the unstable weather condition, Environmental advocates in Cebu joined counterparts from across the country in yesterday’s Walk for Climate Justice ahead of the Climate Change Summit in Paris, France starting November 30.

“We find this event significant because within this week, November 30 up to December, there will be a conference of all governments to discuss about the National Framework for Climate Justice and to cut emission of greenhouse gases,” said Auxilum “Inday Toling” Olayer of the Freedom from Death Coalition, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, and Sanlakas-Cebu Chapter.

The participants – students, religious ministers, and concerned citizens – walked from the Fuente Osmeña circle down to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño where a “Mass for environment” was celebrated.      The students who participated in the march came from the University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Doctor’s University, University of Southern Philippines, Foundation, St. Theresa’s College, and Southwestern University.

Fisher folk, farmers, and the urban poor representatives were also present.

Organizers said at least 600 joined in yesterday’s walk while a bigger crowd of 5,000 is expected to join another walk on Monday.

The Walk for Climate Justice is a nationwide advocacy walk aimed at increasing the public’s awareness about Climate Change and seeking government support in implementing initiatives to abate the effects of global warming.

Last Thursday, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change started with a youth convention and a commonwealth heads of governments meeting last Friday.

The meeting of heads of states is slated on Monday, November 30.

Minimize Pollution

A latest study of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) showed that the Philippines ranked third in the world’s most disaster-prone countries, following Vanuatu and Tonga, both in the Southern Pacific.

Meanwhile, the report of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change revealed that the Philippines ranked 39th among countries worldwide with the highest carbon dioxide emissions.

The energy industry produces 54.9 percent of the CO2 emissions in the country.

Olayer emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions should be minimized as they contribute to the worsening climate condition.

“Importante gyud nga makahibaw tang tanan ini kita man ang maigo. Mao kini ang panahon aron nga mo-decide ang gobiyerno kun unsa’y ilang responsibilidad,” Olayer added.

Olayer also said that banning of coal power plants and shifting to renewable sources of energy can help lessen the effects of Climate Change.

Sister Maricor Rigor, SFIC, a faculty member of the St. Joseph School of Mactan found the event relevant to creating awareness to students.

“Apart from bringing to students awareness of what is really happening around them, it also is bringing them to give response to walk with the people with the same cause,” Rigor said. — Saison Dampios Jr., USJ-R Comm. Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)