AN environmental group urged United States President Donald Trump to take a second look at the issue of global warming and climate change as they cited studies pointing to the Philippines as among the topmost countries gravely affected by these.
Clean Air Philippines Movement Inc. Chairman Michael Aragon said “by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1109-1997 the month of November has been declared Philippine Clean Air Month.”
He cited the painful memories of the gruesome deaths of 6,000 Filipinos and the massive devastations of a great part of our country brought about by super-typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) that ravaged the Philippines last November 8, 2013.
“Because of the continuing threat to Filipino life and limb we are urgently appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump, to take a second look at the issue of global warming and climate change.” it said.
Studies of the German Watch organization (particularly the Global Climate Risk Index), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), and many other credible studies have shown that the Philippines (although not a major contributor to the overall global carbon footprint of the world) is among the top list of countries most vulnerable to the deadly effects of climate change.
The Philippines’ minor contribution to the total global carbon footprint is only 0.3 percent or less than one percent vis-à-vis the major carbon footprint contributions of the first world countries yet when fatal disasters strike due to global warming and climate change it is the Filipinos who suffers most.”
“Mr. President we do not intend to debate on your personal views on climate change but we seek your compassionate heart for you to see the clear and present danger that continuously threatens all Filipinos due to global warming and climate change. The United States of America is a friend to the Philippines. Mr. President you are a friend to the Filipinos. The policies and decisions of the leader of the most powerful country in the world also affect us here in the Philippines, “ Aragon added.
Aragon issued the appeal this morning during the launching ceremony of the joint CAPMI-Environmental Management Bureau Clean Air Patrol program at the EMB-Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office grounds in Quezon City.
“Our private sector partners at CAPMI volunteered these unmanned aircrafts or drones as they are popularly known. It will be used in partnership with EMB-DENR to enforce Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 particularly on stationary (industrial factories, plants etc..) and area sources (construction activities, illegal burning of wastes and materials, etc..) of air pollution that causes human diseases and contributes to global warming and climate change, Aragon said.
“We welcome this public–private partnership initiative to support the implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act. We at EMB are engaged in various partnerships pursuant to DENR secretary Roy Cimatu’s directives to collaborate with stakeholders and maintain utmost transparency in the conduct of our work to protect the environment,” EMB director Metodio Turbella said.