tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83829226262462472862024-03-04T21:53:07.042-08:00The Philippine Climate Justice InitiativeWe Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-11130346183227028552010-10-26T06:23:00.000-07:002010-10-26T06:26:04.999-07:00Twin Bills on Climate Change Filed<div style="text-align: justify;">MANILA, Philippines – Two anti-climate change bills discouraging the use of plastic bags and encouraging the use of energy efficient recycling processes have been filed at the House of Representatives.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara called on the Aquino government to intensify the country’s climate change mitigation and adaptation capability, as he also urged on other sectors to join the campaign against climate change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angara has filed House Bill 496, known as the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2010 and House Bill 501 or the Stores Proactive in Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2010 in a move to encourage the use of alternative and reusable bags, like canvass or cloth, and to campaign for recycling mechanisms to protect the environment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Most plastics are non-biodegrable. And while some are, still, these plastics do not break down easily, which could clog waterways during floods. Worse, the breaking down process produces toxins which contaminate soil and waterways, even finding their way into the food web," he said in a statement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angara said the Philippines should stop being a “sachet economy.” He lamented that many Filipinos use plastic bags, shampoo sachets, and other products made in plastic, which clog drainages.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The twin bills provide the implementation of programs that would maximize material reuse and recycling, including the establishment of at-store retrieval and recycling program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The use of plastic bags must be reduced. This may be achieved by requiring retailers to establish a recycling mechanism for plastic bags and encouraging consumers to use reusable bags," Angara said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"In the United States, a similar, but seemingly more progressive move is being pushed to publicly track corporate plastics usage and management plans in the hopes of reducing plastic pollution around the world," he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angara said that the ‘"Plastics Disclosure Project" which was recently launched at the Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in Florida aims to come out with a comprehensive report on every company's plastic usage and encourage the world's investment community to help reduce plastic use, redesign their products and identify programs where money can be saved when it comes to plastic. (Charissa M. Luci)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/284352/twin-bills-climate-change-filed">http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/284352/twin-bills-climate-change-filed</a></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-75045261003809745752010-10-21T05:54:00.000-07:002010-10-21T06:03:30.551-07:00Sering mad, Revilla sad on Mindanao’s shift to non-renewable energy<div style="text-align: justify;">MANILA (MindaNews/20 October) — Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering is mad over proposals to set up a coal-fired power plant in her hometown in Surigao City, while actress-representative Lani Mercado-Revilla is sad about the shift to non-renewable energy in Mindanao.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sering, who belongs to a prominent political family in Surigao, said she felt “very mad” upon hearing that a coal-fired power plant is being proposed in Surigao City.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last month, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said a group of Korean investors had expressed interest in putting up a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the city.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla said she is saddened by the fact that in a climate-changing world, Mindanao is reversing from renewable energy to climate-changing fossil fuel-generated power plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sering and Revilla were guest speakers at the Aksyon Klima National Consultation Tuesday in the Millenia Suites in Ortigas. Aksyon Klima is a broad alliance of civil society organization working on climate change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Revilla said that one of the bills she is planning to file in the 15th House of Representatives is a bill that would measure the Carbon emissions of projects. Revilla s a member of the House Committee on Ecology.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mindanao has over 1,000 mw of installed hydro electric power generation capacity, with about 730-mw from the Agus hydro electric complex in Lake Lanao and 255-mw from the Pulangi 4 hydro electric power plant in Bukidnon. Several other smaller hydro plants are scattered around the island.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant has an installed capacity of 110-mw.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the 1980s up to 1990, Mindnao’s hydropower was 90-percent. From then on, however, the share of renewable hydro power started to dip to about 60-percent in 2007. Current estimates indicate that the renewable energy contribution of hydro and geothermal to the power mix of the Mindanao grid is about 40 percent.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The decrease in the renewable energy contribution is attributed to the aging power plants which were built in the 1970s and the early 1980s and the entry of more diesel and coal-fired power plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Environmentalists are worried that with the imminent power shortage in the island, fossil-fuel based power plants will seize the opportunity of putting up their power plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Davao City, relations have been strained between daughter Mayor Sara Duterte and her Vice mayor father Rodrigo Duterte over the proposed 200-mw coal-fired power plant in Davao City by Aboitiz Power. But Mayor Duterte a few days ago had hinted she might change her mind with regard to the proposal of a power firm to build a coal-fired power plant to avert possible power outages and shortfall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Duterte said she was torn between protecting the environment and the possibility of power shortage in the city in the next three years if she continues to refuse investments in coal-fired power plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The increase or decrease of our electric bills would depend largely on how near or far the power plant is,” Duterte said, echoing the anxieties of the business sector over the absence of new powerinvestments in Southern Mindanao.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Maasim, Sarangani, residents are building up their opposition to the 200-megawatt proposed coal-fired power plant by Conal Holdings with the flagship of Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior reportedly making a port call in Saranggani later this month to dramatize opposition to coal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, community groups and environmentalists are starting to re-group to oppose the planned expansion by 150-mw the Steag Coal-fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. Thirty four per cent of the coal plants’ share has already been bought by Aboitiz Power.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several hydro electric power plants are in the pre-development stage in the island though, among them the 132-mw Bulanog-Batang run-of-the-river hydro power plant in Cagayan de Oro and Talakag, Bukidnon, the 300-mw Pulangi 5 hydro electric power plant in southern Bukidnon and several other smaller hydro plants around the island.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The National Framework Strategy for Climate Change (2010 – 2022) project the doubling from 4,500 mw to 9,000 mw the renewable energy generation capacity of the country in the next 20 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With recent developments however, environmentalists fear that the renewable energy share in the country’s power sector will decrease. Last week, to dramatize the push for renewable energy, activists from Greenpeace delivered solar panels to Malacanang along with the demand to double the country’s renewable energy generation capacity in the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (BenCyrus G. Ellorin/MindaNews)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">http://mindanews.com/main/2010/10/21/sering-mad-revilla-sad-on-mindanaos-shift-to-non-renewable-energy</div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-85760946754535739112010-10-18T06:07:00.000-07:002010-10-18T06:09:44.320-07:00Measure of a healthy planet<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20101018a1.html">http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20101018a1.html</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Environmental and other high-ranking ministers will appear during the conference's last three days. Given the importance of biodiversity for human existence, the outcome of the conference could greatly affect the future of the human race. Unfortunately, Japan's government has not done enough to rouse people's interest in the importance of biodiversity and in COP10.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is strongly hoped that COP10 participants will not replay the debacle of the UNFCCC COP15 held in Copenhagen in December 2009 — when there was a failure to produce a meaningful agreement. It also should not be forgotten that climate change and biodiversity are closely linked. Global warming, along with development, is a major cause of biodiversity loss</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Under a target set by the CBD COP6 held in the Hague in April 2002, the world's governments were required "to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But this target has not been met and the outlook for biodiversity systems around the world is getting worse. The abundance of all species declined by 40 percent between 1970 and 2000. It is said that some 40,000 species become extinct annually. The abundance of vertebrate species fell by nearly one-third on average between 1970 and 2006, and continues to fall globally. Nearly a quarter of plant species face extinction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each year 13 million hectares of the world's forests are lost due to deforestation. Such natural habitats as freshwater wetlands, sea-ice habitats, salt marshes and coral reefs in most parts of the world continue to decline in extent and integrity. In order to stop biodiversity loss, it is imperative that COP10 set a new target expressed in precise terms and work out a mechanism that enforces protection of biological systems within which various species live.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">COP10 was preceded by the fifth conference of the members of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP5), also in Nagoya, from Oct. 11 to 15. MOP5 agreed, after six years of negotiations, to a supplementary protocol — called the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability on Redress — to the Cartagena Protocol, which is administered by the CBD and has 160 parties. The new protocol includes rules that allow importing countries to call on operators who bring in damage-causing genetically modified organisms to take necessary restorative measures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is hoped that the agreement will give momentum to COP10, which is expected to face difficulties as it advances. Developed and developing countries are expected to clash with each other over how to share benefits from the use of genetic resources. This is an important issue at COP10 along with the issue of how to enable sustainable use of biological resources.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Companies in developed countries have created medicines and foods using genetic resources, earning large profits through their sales. But these resources are mainly from micro-organisms, animals and plants that live in rain forests and other places in developing countries. These countries demand that a greater portion of the profits generated in developed countries be returned to them. But developed countries are not very responsive, citing the huge research and development costs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The role of Japan is extremely important because it chairs COP10. Prime Minister Naoto Kan failed to show strong leadership with respect to COP10 when he spoke at the U.N. General Assembly. And he did not show up at COP10's working committee meeting held in Montreal. Japan should demonstrate a strong determination to make COP10 a success.</div></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-81657962580517030182010-10-14T11:19:00.000-07:002010-10-14T11:27:59.368-07:00The Climate Project Connectors Training Batch 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6wnmDrs_dnNzmV6hemFXB10FCbYsv3ESHDaj9U8O50jQfJg6j0fAbOK0tNCHyPaBkNGcjJRnDW57U6D7TK_Q3C0KCJ3l1_hDYG5LfLlGT7sRwHhR9L2yCJc0eeLCU8Yv2pgDe7r91jz4/s1600/compressed3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6wnmDrs_dnNzmV6hemFXB10FCbYsv3ESHDaj9U8O50jQfJg6j0fAbOK0tNCHyPaBkNGcjJRnDW57U6D7TK_Q3C0KCJ3l1_hDYG5LfLlGT7sRwHhR9L2yCJc0eeLCU8Yv2pgDe7r91jz4/s400/compressed3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527968483012402930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 68); line-height: 18px; "><div style="text-align: justify;">The Climate Project Philippine Presenters successfully held the second TCP Connectors Training from 27-30 September 2010. The training was participated by community leaders and indigenous peoples from Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, South Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Palawan, Samar, Bulacan and Marinduque. Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) sponsored the training which was a back-to-back activity with its project Field School on Mining, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. Thanks to MACEC Executive Director and TCP Presenter Myke Magalang and TCP Australia's Mel Marshall for consistently extending its help and support. Twenty new TCP Philippine Connectors were trained.</div></span>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-22086149120780615942010-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:002010-10-14T11:19:05.838-07:00The Climate Project Connectors Training Batch 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLkNtKr3u-XWU1XKR3JN3wW3hcWYIh8mHqpzCO2w_R2j0xiH4fKpzVWSsMvzIV-UVmtUW_z1fPk68H_NQuzlqXmRDtTQodjJeTsc_kiDoWE3Vn3ao6e6UnSnYHqnfivVjSwRgBMam_Z6/s1600/group1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLkNtKr3u-XWU1XKR3JN3wW3hcWYIh8mHqpzCO2w_R2j0xiH4fKpzVWSsMvzIV-UVmtUW_z1fPk68H_NQuzlqXmRDtTQodjJeTsc_kiDoWE3Vn3ao6e6UnSnYHqnfivVjSwRgBMam_Z6/s400/group1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527966029898910738" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The Climate Project Philippine Presenters successfully held the first TCP Connectors Training on 25 September 2010. The training was participated by various youth oriented groups and student leaders from different universities and organizations plus media practitioners. Philippine Movement for Climate Justice with assistance from 11.11.11 partnered with us to realize the objectives. Thanks to TCP Australia for consistently extending its help and support. There are now 17 pioneer TCP Philippine Connectors.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HtE3uSaRorfOkxADLBE4s3O2MPwruw6AVnnqaUCRxFChY-2J8oYIMsWkdVKT-g4U0gepHPNlem48Z1abDne0MGdJhDv6Us3Z00fPvZP5hRdf0h2uebcDs_73GV0kNlrs39AhpBKs91ii/s1600/group1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W72V9T2hFpw8E7PwOm1G3AU2XlL4cWt9uIg_XT7wXXIhsokNd78YFdJ1716AUU_a4MGGFlf6G0MUDP8ATKYiJiGabIvPf7cbZ8Cde00U5hkd0q1BEiRTqNtVSmN6DSuLNx8Nqpb29upu/s1600/group1.jpg"><br /></a>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-68869220993493688092010-09-10T05:55:00.000-07:002010-09-10T05:59:17.598-07:00ARMM Areas Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise — PCID<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>COTABATO CITY (PNA) — A forum focusing on the vulnerability to climate change of coastal communities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was held in Manila on Tuesday, with inputs from last April’s “First International Conference on Muslim Action on Climate Change” in Indonesia thrown in.</p> <p>Quoting studies on the Philippines, Amina Rasul, president of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID), said “many areas that are highly vulnerable to projected temperature increases, impacts of El Niño events, salt-water intrusion, and sea level rise are in Muslim Mindanao.”</p> <p>The forum was also meant to respond to the Muslim Seven Year Action Plan for Climate Change (M7YAP) that was crafted in Istanbul, Turkey in June 2009 for all Muslim countries, according to the Muslim youth leader.</p> <p>Rasul cited studies by Greenpeace and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NCSB) showing that ARMM is ranked first among all regions in terms of vulnerability to a one-meter rise in sea level.</p> <p>Sulu in particular is the most vulnerable province in the country in terms of vulnerability to a one-meter rise in sea level, she said.</p> <p>The international conference in Bogor, West Java from April 8 to 10 was part of the action plan, said Rasul, who was a resource speaker along with Dr. Filemon G. Romero, professor of Oceanography of Environmental Science of the Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi.</p> <p>About 200 environment experts, academics, and clerics from 30 countries with Muslim population, such as the United Arab Emirates, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, India, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Egypt, Britain, Indonesia, and the Philippines attended the conference.</p> <p>Climate change is increasingly seen as the most critical challenge facing the world today.</p> <p>The Islamic world is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of the effects of rising sea levels, with their effects on Muslims living in coastal communities.</p> <p>Patterns of drought and rainfall are also expected to change, with enormous consequences for human populations, according to Rasul.</p> <p>“With the more than five million Muslims that are in harm’s way, there is a need to engage and mobilize scientists, scholars and environmental organizations to conduct research and information and education activities on climate change and environmental sustainability,” she added.</p>http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/276167/armm-areas-vulnerable-sea-level-rise-pcid<br /><br />---<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" align="justify">For latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 153, 34); background-color: transparent;">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 153, 34); background-color: transparent;">request form</a> or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com directly for Philippine requests.</div></span><br /></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-22473742877807109332010-08-28T21:20:00.001-07:002010-08-28T21:25:48.609-07:00New TCP Philippine Presenter<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbAs-MhReZpFoLo7sGr-pPk8HBVaAeafNifxQYfxi-zkPlfjhBMLXYifu800sfvodw0RfgI_TvbJwLeR_l0XXucSUYWI_65CqtCDddlWS9I0eaXz42axKgDYMyHUkrexzSkWyKUnrImOy/s1600/TCP+Philippines+Bro.+Tagoy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbAs-MhReZpFoLo7sGr-pPk8HBVaAeafNifxQYfxi-zkPlfjhBMLXYifu800sfvodw0RfgI_TvbJwLeR_l0XXucSUYWI_65CqtCDddlWS9I0eaXz42axKgDYMyHUkrexzSkWyKUnrImOy/s400/TCP+Philippines+Bro.+Tagoy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510682028157628162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="paragraphstyle" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:12.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Brother Jaazeal Jakosalem, OAR, property administrator of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) has joined with various Chinese citizens and some participants from the United States, Indonesia and United Kingdom in the Climate Project training in Beijing.</span></span></span><span style="Arial","sans-serif";color:black; mso-themefont-family:";font-size:10.5pt;color:text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraphstyle" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:12.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraphstyle" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 68); font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; ">For latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit<a href="http://theclimateproject.org/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 153, 34); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify; ">To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 153, 34); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">request form</a> or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com directly for Philippine requests.</div></span><p></p></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-32380642963547359652010-08-28T21:13:00.000-07:002010-08-28T21:18:43.247-07:00TCP Philippine Presenters meet their Mentor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqtm2-_EoE_eMt5Y7itZQvZqAcKdEedHAtqSrH9CV1N42C99LOoW8jmCqFE7hf7bb2LRIvpsAl3ZD5xIvR-hc1IJ9S3E3iqWdtXIpdU1fIJYXW_GwpLLwX7PGnU9FhnK_BdTSV4pd1ZFl/s1600/TCP+Philippines+and+Mr.+Al+Gore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqtm2-_EoE_eMt5Y7itZQvZqAcKdEedHAtqSrH9CV1N42C99LOoW8jmCqFE7hf7bb2LRIvpsAl3ZD5xIvR-hc1IJ9S3E3iqWdtXIpdU1fIJYXW_GwpLLwX7PGnU9FhnK_BdTSV4pd1ZFl/s400/TCP+Philippines+and+Mr.+Al+Gore.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510681020243951490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Climate Project Philippine Presenters with their mentor Nobel laureate Hon. Al Gore during his Manila visit on 8 June 2010. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">L-R: Rod Galicha, Gibo Sape, Hon. Al Gore, Atty. Persi Acosta and Myke Magalang</span></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-53923707639619059052010-06-08T10:07:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:14:53.237-07:00Gore: Saving climate will save, not lose, money<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_4_u1LTFQ300lrgVfrsBJJpGUyi-oAyC-uYZ-V4tp3Kz5pYFzlFf2iP2l-IPc-ih4baX4aXQi6pl-hoKjLmeRDY21lG1jpGtW2UCDXl7JZ-NsfGUWuoSiYvcRt2NRbQzdXrjgeVBYBTJ/s1600/52-APTOPIX_Philippines_Gore.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.79.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_4_u1LTFQ300lrgVfrsBJJpGUyi-oAyC-uYZ-V4tp3Kz5pYFzlFf2iP2l-IPc-ih4baX4aXQi6pl-hoKjLmeRDY21lG1jpGtW2UCDXl7JZ-NsfGUWuoSiYvcRt2NRbQzdXrjgeVBYBTJ/s400/52-APTOPIX_Philippines_Gore.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.79.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480450816370374514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="creditline">AP Photo by Aaron Favila</span> - Former U.S. Vice President and environmentalist Al Gore is silhouetted against an image of the earth during his talk about climate change in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Gore presented his updated Asian version of "An Inconvenient Truth" to his mostly Filipino audience, which includes Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;" id="story_bycredit"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="byline">By TERESA CEROJANO</span> - <span class="creditline">Associated Press Writer</span></span> </div><div> <!-- CLOSE: #story_header --> </div><div id="story_body"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div id="story_text_top"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">MANILA, Philippines -- Poorer countries that have borne the brunt of climate change's effects will save, not lose, money by putting in place ways to rescue the environment, Al Gore said Tuesday.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">The former U.S. vice president spoke to a forum in Manila in one of his first public engagements since he and wife, Tipper, announced they had separated after 40 years of marriage. He refused to answer audience questions about it, and reporters did not have an opportunity for interviews.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">In the lecture focused on Asia, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate blamed global warming for droughts and frequent and more destructive typhoons, including those that have left millions homeless in India, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="story_text_remaining"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"> "When there are lots of them, much more frequently and they are bigger on average how can we connect those dots?" he asked. "How long will it take us as a civilization to connect those dots in a way that causes us to demand that our political leaders and political systems react?"</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gore said proposals to store carbon dioxide in the ground are expensive, and the best way is to trap them is in plants. He added that China is a leader in this area, planting more trees than any other country.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"A lot of the most effective ways of saving the environment actually save money," he said during the open forum. "They don't cost money, they save money."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Making vehicle engines more efficient, for example, can save money and gasoline - 90 percent of which is wasted in vehicles that have inefficient engines, he said.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Businesses that have gone green have found that they can save a lot of money, he added.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While not discussing his marriage, Gore did mention his family, saying that his son's near-fatal accident in 1989 caused him to realize that people have taken the earth for granted. "I found in that raw place in my heart an ability to feel for the first time that we could lose this and it's worth fighting for," he added.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The audience included outgoing Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - whom Gore met on the sideline of the forum - as well as business and political leaders. </p> </div><div style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.kentucky.com/2010/06/08/1297506/gore-saving-climate-will-save.html#ixzz0qHZfZDWB">http://www.kentucky.com/2010/06/08/1297506/gore-saving-climate-will-save.html#ixzz0qHZfZDWB</a><br /><br />_______________<br /><br />For latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php">request form</a> or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com directly for Philippine requests.<br /></div></div></div></div></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-6024685630699650672010-06-08T09:13:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:15:39.033-07:00Al Gore cites RP efforts in renewable energy<table class="contentpaneopen"><tbody><tr style="font-family:verdana;"><td valign="top"><span class="small">Written by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo / Special to the <a href="http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26239:al-gore-cites-rp-efforts-in-renewable-energy&catid=33:economy&Itemid=60">BusinessMirror </a></span> </td> </tr> <tr style="font-family: verdana;"> <td class="createdate" valign="top"> Tuesday, 08 June 2010 23:21<br /><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="font-family: verdana;"> <td valign="top"><div style="text-align: justify;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073741899 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:.5in .5in .5in .5in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">FORMER U.S. Vice President Al Gore on Tuesday pushed for renewable-energy sources to wean countries away from burning fossil fuels such as coal, which accelerate global warming.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">In his lecture before a diverse audience at the SMX auditorium at the SM Mall of Asia on Tuesday, Gore even cited the Philippines’ efforts toward this end by pointing to the Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, the Solar Power Plant in Laguna and the Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plant in North Cotabato.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">He also cited nuclear power as a source of renewable energy, although he later admitted during the question-and-answer forum with broadcaster Che-che Lazaro that he was becoming increasingly “skeptical about it” due to cost concerns, and the possibility of nuclear-weapons proliferation. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco has been lobbying for the reopening of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). For many years Filipinos paid for the huge debts incurred by the Marcos administration, which constructed that plant at a cost of $2.3 billion upon its near-completion in 1984.<span> </span></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Gore declined to comment about the proposal in some quarters to harness the BNPP but he said, personally, “I’m not enthusiastic about getting a mothballed plant going in my backyard. But for some it makes more sense to use a mothballed plant.” The problem, he said, is the possibility for countries with nuclear energy to make weapons as a by-product. “That’s how North Korea got its nuclear weapons,” he stressed.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">While some strides have been made by the Philippines in renewable energy, overall the Arroyo administration has been endorsing the construction of coal-fired power plants, which Gore points to as a primary source of greenhouse gases. On May 5, President Arroyo inaugurated the 246-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Toledo, Cebu co-owned by Global Business Power Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp., Vivant Energy Corp, and Formosa Heavy Industries Corp. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Local environmentalists find the Arroyo administration’s energy policy ironic considering that the Philippines is one of the first signatories to the Kyoto Protocol which aims to stave off global warming by reducing greenhouse gases worldwide. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Gore’s lifelong commitment to educate the public on global climate change and what people can do to reverse it was captured in the 2006 documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”. The film won two Oscar awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song in 2007. Concurrent with the release of the film was the release of Gore’s book of the same title. He later won the Nobel Peace Prize, also in 2007, for his efforts in raising international awareness on global warming.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Gore’s thesis, which is supported by many climatologists and weather scientists, is that global warming is happening at a fast clip, and may result in catastrophic events and even the extinction of human life itself.<span> </span>Man’s increasing appetite for fossil fuels such as the use of gasoline-powered vehicles and coal-fired power plants as an<span> </span>energy source, releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat which would normally have been released into space.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Global warming, in turn, alters climates and weather patterns, such that many countries now experience stronger typhoons or longer periods of drought. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">In his updated presentation which mentioned recent environmental catastrophes in Asia, Gore pointed to Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”) which struck the Philippines on September 26, 2009, as one of the examples of global warming’s impact. The typhoon dumped 341 mm. of rainfall in Metro Manila and outlying provinces in just six hours. Many low-lying cities and municipalities were flooded with 20 feet of water and remained so for a week.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Like his documentary, Gore didn’t end his lecture on a sour note. He said global warming could be reversed if governments take action now. “No, not yet [it’s not irreversible]. But some of them (scientists) have been warning us for a few years now. We have a decade or so in changing the trends or run the serious risk and making it irreversible. The polar ice cap can come back. But if we let it disappear and global warming increases, it won’t come back.”</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span> </span>“We can do it, we can do great things in this world. We were able to abolish slavery, send a man on the moon, close up the hole in the ozone layer.… It is a moral issue. It is a spiritual issue. It goes to heart of who we are as God’s creatures. Surely God has given us the ability to do what is right,” Gore stressed.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">During the question-and-answer forum, Gore was visibly stunned and<span> </span>turned emotional when Lazaro asked how the near-death of his son impacted on his environmental advocacy.<span> </span>After pausing for three minutes, he answered in a quiet tone: “I couldn’t imagine losing him. I had come face to face with that shattering possibility.<span> </span>I had already begun this work [when that accident happened]. It affected my heart in a way that was unexpected. When I found that raw place in my heart, it gave me the ability to feel for the first time that we could lose it [the earth].”</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">He also addressed a question on population management, which the Catholic Church in the Philippines has been fighting. In his lecture, he said population growth has impacted on the environment. “I think it’s a statement of reality; you have four times<span> </span>as many people on the earth, you put more pressure on resources and space. But population issues should not be fraught with ideological arguments. I’m not for population control.”</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">He noted that the Philippines is already naturally trending towards smaller families, based on the audience’s input that the average number of children is now 5 as against 8 among the older generations. “When there is widespread education of girls, and there are accepted cultural fertility management measures, the transition to smaller families naturally takes place. I don’t see it as a matter of great tension. These are things we ought to be doing anyway.”</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Gore founded The Climate Project in 2006 which supports and trains about 3,000 volunteers worldwide who give his global warming lecture in their own communities. According to the TCP website, its presenters have delivered 70,000 lectures and have reached a combined global audience of 7.3 million people.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="justify"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Gore’s lecture, the third in the Leadership Conference Series organized by Campaigns & Grey, was presented by SM Prime Holdings Inc. The series is a string of lectures to allow top Philippine leaders in the academe, business, government, and nongovernment sectors to learn from the experience and expertise of global leaders.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">_______<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal" align="justify">For latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php">request form</a> or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com directly for Philippine requests.<br /></div> </td></tr></tbody></table>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-23807895123250970252010-06-01T07:37:00.000-07:002010-06-01T07:40:02.041-07:00Al Gore Live in Manila<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHttP3IQ2jk3PLzbInp_6IEAtidMpV5vN4aUisS8aNiXR16GsYGqgVLwwQ0ZnudGsqQTnbSrpKLQA5kMpHhc_0w9hWvZsTG1BhmlmxM5cRw4BdHT2UUS7X84QdIEPK6ATjvHck0eRfnIKN/s1600/algore2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 477px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHttP3IQ2jk3PLzbInp_6IEAtidMpV5vN4aUisS8aNiXR16GsYGqgVLwwQ0ZnudGsqQTnbSrpKLQA5kMpHhc_0w9hWvZsTG1BhmlmxM5cRw4BdHT2UUS7X84QdIEPK6ATjvHck0eRfnIKN/s400/algore2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477814846994471714" border="0" /></a>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-12446007904644698412010-05-14T05:48:00.000-07:002010-05-14T05:50:18.822-07:00PGMA signs climate change frameworkPresident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed this afternoon the National Framework Strategy for Climate Change in a no-fuss ceremony at the regular meeting of the National Climate Change Commission at the Asturias Hotel. <br /><br />The signing of the Framework came a month early from the deadline specified by the Republic Act 9729 better known as Climate Change Act of 2009. The Framework shall serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change. <br /><br />In an interview, Secretary Heherson Alvarez of the Climate Change Commission said that the Philippines is the first country in Asia with an approved framework strategy to address climate change. <br /><br />He said that the signing of the Framework is a positive development amidst the extreme heat and drought in the country brought about by the El Niño phenomenon. <br /><br />He said that the Phillippines is identified as one of the top countries that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as extreme heat and longer hot season, drought, heavy rains and flashfloods. He expressed alarm at the many catastrophes that hit the country recently which he said were brought about by climate change. <br /><br />With the approval of the Framework, the Commission will begin work to draft the National Climate Change Action Plan which will be formulated in accordance with the National Framework Strategy for Climate Change. <br /><br />President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided over the meeting of the Climate Change Commission after presentations conducted by Mr. Lorenzo Tan, President of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines and DOT Secretary Ace Durano who presented major tourism projects in Central Philippines.<br /><br />http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100428.htm&no=77We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-47386228889867424862010-05-14T05:40:00.000-07:002010-05-14T05:44:48.410-07:00Climate Change Act of the PhilippinesHere is the full text of Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 which became a law last Oct. 23, 2009, courtesy of the Committee on Climate Change: <br /><br />S. No. 2583<br />H. No. 5982<br /><br />Republic of the Philippines<br />Congress of the Philippines<br />Metro Manila<br /><br />Fourteenth Congress<br />Third Regular Session<br /><br />Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.<br /><br />——■——<br /><br />[REPUBLIC ACT N O . 9729]<br /><br />AN ACT MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO GOVERNMENT POLICY FORMULATIONS, ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK STRATEGY AND PROGRAM ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES<br /><br />Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: <br /><br />SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Climate Change Act of 2009”.<br /><br />SEC . 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In this light, the State has adopted the Philippine Agenda 21 framework which espouses sustainable development, to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment for current and future generations.<br /><br />Towards this end, the State adopts the principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit of humankind, on the basis of climate justice or common but differentiated responsibilities and the Precautionary Principle to guide decision-making in climate risk management. As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the State adopts the ultimate objective of the Convention which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. As a party to the Hyogo Framework for Action, the State likewise adopts the strategic goals in order to build national and local resilience to climate change-related disasters.<br /><br />Recognizing the vulnerability of the Philippine archipelago and its local communities, particularly the poor, women, and children, to potential dangerous consequences of climate change such as rising seas, changing landscapes, increasing frequency and/or severity of droughts, fires, floods and storms, climate-related illnesses and diseases, damage to ecosystems, biodiversity loss that affect the country’s environment, culture, and economy, the State shall cooperate with the global community in the resolution of climate change issues, including disaster risk reduction. It shall be the policy of the State to enjoin the participation of national and local governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, local communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate change and, at the same time, maximize the benefits of climate change. It shall also be the policy of the State to incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro-children and pro-poor perspective in all climate change and renewable energy efforts, plans and programs. In view thereof, the State shall strengthen, integrate, consolidate and institutionalize government initiatives to achieve coordination in the implementation of plans and programs to address climate change in the context of sustainable development.<br /><br />Further recognizing that climate change and disaster risk reduction are closely interrelated and effective disaster risk reduction will enhance climate change adaptive capacity, the State shall integrate disaster risk reduction into climate change programs and initiatives.<br /><br />Cognizant of the need to ensure that national and subnational government policies, plans, programs and projects are founded upon sound environmental considerations and the principle of sustainable development, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to systematically integrate the concept of climate change in various phases of policy formulation, development plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools and techniques by all agencies and instrumentalities of the government.<br /><br />SEC . 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following shall have the corresponding meanings:<br /><br />(a) “Adaptation” refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.<br /><br />(b) “Adaptive capacity” refers to the ability of ecological, social or economic systems to adjust to climate change including climate variability and extremes, to moderate or offset potential damages and to take advantage of associated opportunities with changes in climate or to cope with the consequences thereof.<br /><br />(c) “Anthropogenic causes” refer to causes resulting from human activities or produced by human beings.<br /><br />(d) “Climate Change” refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.<br /><br />(e) “Climate Variability” refers to the variations in the average state and in other statistics of the climate on all temporal and spatial scales beyond that of individual weather events.<br /><br />(f) “Climate Risk” refers to the product of climate and related hazards working over the vulnerability of human and natural ecosystems.<br /><br />(g) “Disaster” refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.<br /><br />(h) “Disaster risk reduction” refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events.<br /><br />(i) “Gender mainstreaming” refers to the strategy for making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economic, and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. It is the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies, or programs in all areas and at all levels.<br /><br />(j) “Global Warming” refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans that is associated with the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.<br /><br />(k) “Greenhouse effect” refers to the process by which the absorption of infrared radiation by the atmosphere warms the Earth.<br /><br />(l) “Greenhouse gases (GHG)” refers to constituents of the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.<br /><br />(m) “Mainstreaming” refers to the integration of policies and measures that address climate change into development planning and sectoral decision-making.<br /><br />(n) “Mitigation” in the context of climate change, refers to human intervention to address anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all GHG, including ozone- depleting substances and their substitutes.<br /><br />(o) “Mitigation potential” shall refer to the scale of GHG reductions that could be made, relative to emission baselines, for a given level of carbon price (expressed in cost per unit of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions avoided or reduced).<br /><br />(p) “Sea level rise” refers to an increase in sea level which may be influenced by factors like global warming through expansion of sea water as the oceans warm and melting of ice over land and local factors such as land subsidence.<br /><br />(q) “Vulnerability” refers to the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.<br /><br />SEC . 4. Creation of the Climate Change Commission. – There is hereby established a Climate Change Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission.<br /><br />The Commission shall be an independent and autonomous body and shall have the same status as that of a national government agency. It shall be attached to the Office of the President.<br /><br />The Commission shall be the sole policy-making body of the government which shall be tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change pursuant to the provisions of this Act.<br /><br />The Commission shall be organized within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.<br /><br />SEC . 5. Composition of the Commission. – The Commission shall be composed of the President of the Republic of the Philippines who shall serve as the Chairperson, and three (3) Commissioners to be appointed by the President, one of whom shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission.<br /><br />The Commission shall have an advisory board composed of the following:<br /><br />(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;<br /><br />(b) Secretary of the Department of Energy;<br /><br />(c) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;<br /><br />(d) Secretary of the Department of Education;<br /><br />(e) Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs;<br /><br />(f) Secretary of the Department of Health;<br /><br />(g) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government;<br /><br />(h) Secretary of the Department of National Defense, in his capacity as Chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council;<br /><br />(i) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;<br /><br />(j) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology;<br /><br />(k) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;<br /><br />(l) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;<br /><br />(m) Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications;<br /><br />(n) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority, in his capacity as Chair of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development;<br /><br />(o) Director-General of the National Security Council;<br /><br />(p) Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women;<br /><br />(q) President of the League of Provinces;<br /><br />(r) President of the League of Cities;<br /><br />(s) President of the League of Municipalities;<br /><br />(t) President of the Liga ng mga Barangay;<br /><br />(u) Representative from the academe;<br /><br />(v) Representative from the business sector; and<br /><br />(w) Representative from nongovernmental organizations.<br /><br />At least one (1) of the sectoral representatives shall come from the disaster risk reduction community.<br /><br />The representatives shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by their respective groups. They shall serve for a term of six (6) years without reappointment unless their representation is withdrawn by the sector they represent. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor.<br /><br />Only the ex officio members of the advisory board shall appoint a qualified representative who shall hold a rank of no less than an Undersecretary.<br /><br />SEC . 6. Meetings of the Commission. – The Commission shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as may be deemed necessary by the Chairperson. The Chairperson may likewise call upon other government agencies for the proper implementation of this Act.<br /><br />SEC . 7. Qualifications, Tenure, Compensation of Commissioners. – The Commissioners must be Filipino citizens, residents of the Philippines, at least thirty (30) years of age at the time of appointment, with at least ten (10) years of experience on climate change and of proven honesty and<br /><br />integrity. The Commissioners shall be experts in climate change by virtue of their educational background, training and experience: Provided, That at least one (1) Commissioner shall be female: Provided, further, That in no case shall the Commissioners come from the same sector: Provided, finally, That in no case shall any of the Commissioners appoint representatives to act on their behalf.<br /><br />The Commissioners shall hold office for a period of six (6) years, and may be subjected to reappointment: Provided, That no person shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms: Provided, further, That in case of a vacancy, the new appointee shall fully meet the qualifications of a Commissioner and shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term only: Provided, finally, That in no case shall a Commissioner be designated in a temporary or acting capacity.<br /><br />The Vice Chairperson and the Commissioners shall have the rank and privileges of a Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively. They shall be entitled to corresponding compensation and other emoluments and shall be subject to the same disqualifications.<br /><br />SEC . 8. Climate Change Office. – There is hereby created a Climate Change Office that shall assist the Commission. It shall be headed by a Vice Chairperson of the Commission who shall act as the Executive Director of the Office. The Commission shall have the authority to determine the number of staff and create corresponding positions necessary to facilitate the proper implementation of this Act, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations. The officers and employees of the Commission shall be appointed by the Executive Director.<br /><br />S EC . 9. Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The Commission shall have the following powers and functions:<br /><br />(a) Ensure the mainstreaming of climate change, in synergy with disaster risk reduction, into the national, sectoral and local development plans and programs;<br /><br />(b) Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;<br /><br />(c) Formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities on climate change;<br /><br />(d) Exercise policy coordination to ensure the attainment of goals set in the framework strategy and program on climate change;<br /><br />(e) Recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs on and appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other related activities;<br /><br />(f) Recommend key development investments in climate- sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health, and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;<br /><br />(g) Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments;<br /><br />(h) Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;<br /><br />(i) Formulate strategies on mitigating GHG and other anthropogenic causes of climate change;<br /><br />(j) Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters;<br /><br />(k) In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represent the Philippines in the climate change negotiations;<br /><br />(l) Formulate and update guidelines for determining vulnerability to climate change impacts and adaptation assessments and facilitate the provision of technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring;<br /><br />(m) Coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and private entities to address vulnerability to climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities;<br /><br />(n) Facilitate capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas;<br /><br />(o) Promote and provide technical and financial support to local research and development programs and projects in vulnerable communities and areas; and<br /><br />(p) Oversee the dissemination of information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risks, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures.<br /><br />S EC . 10. Panel of Technical Experts. – The Commission shall constitute a national panel of technical experts consisting of practitioners in disciplines that are related to climate change, including disaster risk reduction.<br /><br />The Panel shall provide technical advice to the Commission in climate science, technologies, and best practices for risk assessment and enhancement of adaptive capacity of vulnerable human settlements to potential impacts of climate change.<br /><br />The Commission shall set the qualifications and compensation for the technical experts. It shall provide resources for the operations and activities of the Panel.<br /><br />SEC . 11. Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change. – The Commission shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change. The Framework shall serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.<br /><br />The Framework shall be formulated based on climate change vulnerabilities, specific adaptation needs, and mitigation potential, and in accordance with the international agreements.<br /><br />The Framework shall be reviewed every three (3) years, or as may be deemed necessary.<br /><br />SEC . 12. Components of the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change. – The Framework shall include, but not limited to, the following components:<br /><br />(a) National priorities;<br /><br />(b) Impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments;<br /><br />(c) Policy formulation;<br /><br />(d) Compliance with international commitments;<br /><br />(e) Research and development;<br /><br />(f) Database development and management;<br /><br />(g) Academic programs, capability building and mainstreaming;<br /><br />(h) Advocacy and information dissemination;<br /><br />(i) Monitoring and evaluation; and<br /><br />(j) Gender mainstreaming.<br /><br />SEC . 13. National Climate Change Action Plan . – The Commission shall formulate a National Climate Change Action Plan in accordance with the Framework within one (1) year after the formulation of the latter.<br /><br />The National Climate Change Action Plan shall include, but not limited to, the following components:<br /><br />(a) Assessment of the national impact of climate change;<br /><br />(b) The identification of the most vulnerable communities/areas, including ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes;<br /><br />(c) The identification of differential impacts of climate change on men, women and children;<br /><br />(d) The assessment and management of risk and vulnerability;<br /><br />(e) The identification of GHG mitigation potentials; and<br /><br />(f) The identification of options, prioritization of appropriate adaptation measures for joint projects of national and local governments.<br /><br />SEC . 14. Local Climate Change Action Plan. – The LGUs shall be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the Framework, and the National Climate Change Action Plan.<br /><br />Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing climate change issues and in identifying and implementing best practices and other solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider climate change adaptation, as one of their regular functions. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city climate change action plans. Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of climate- related activities.<br /><br />LGUs shall regularly update their respective action plans to reflect changing social, economic, and environmental conditions and emerging issues. The LGUs shall furnish the Commission with copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications and revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption. The LGUs shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to effectively implement their respective action plans.<br /><br />The local chief executive shall appoint the person responsible for the formulation and implementation of the local action plan.<br /><br />It shall be the responsibility of the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their Local Climate Change Action Plans.<br /><br />The LGU is hereby expressly authorized to appropriate and use the amount from its Internal Revenue Allotment necessary to implement said local plan effectively, any provision in the Local Government Code to the contrary notwithstanding.<br /><br />SEC . 15. Role of Government Agencies. – To ensure the effective implementation of the framework strategy and program on climate change, concerned agencies shall perform the following functions:<br /><br />(a) The Department of Education (DepED) shall integrate climate change into the primary and secondary education curricula and/or subjects, such as, but not limited to, science, biology, sibika, history, including textbooks, primers and other educational materials, basic climate change principles and concepts;<br /><br />(b) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government Academy shall facilitate the development and provision of a training program for LGUs in climate change. The training program shall include socioeconomic, geophysical, policy, and other content necessary to address the prevailing and forecasted conditions and risks of particular LGUs. It shall likewise focus on women and children, especially in the rural areas, since they are the most vulnerable;<br /><br />(c) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall oversee the establishment and maintenance of a climate change information management system and network, including on climate change risks, activities and investments, in collaboration with other concerned national government agencies, institutions and LGUs;<br /><br />(d) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall review international agreements related to climate change and make the necessary recommendation for ratification and compliance by the government on matters pertaining thereto;<br /><br />(e) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risk, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures; and<br /><br />(f) Government financial institutions, shall, any provision in their respective charters to the contrary notwithstanding, provide preferential financial packages for climate change- related projects. In consultation with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), they shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue and promulgate the implementing guidelines therefor.<br /><br />The Commission shall evaluate, recommend the approval of loans and monitor the use of said funds of LGUs.<br /><br />SEC . 16. Coordination with Various Sectors. – In the development and implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan, and the local action plans, the Commission shall coordinate with the nongovernment organizations (NGOs), civic organizations, academe, people’s organizations, the private and corporate sectors and other concerned stakeholder groups.<br /><br />SEC . 17. Authority to Receive Donations and/or Grants. – The Commission is hereby authorized to accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in cash, or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the development and implementation of climate change programs and plans: Provided, That in case of donations from foreign governments, acceptance thereof shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Provided, further, That such donations shall not be used to fund personal services expenditures and other operating expenses of the Commission.<br /><br />The proceeds shall be used to finance:<br /><br />(a) Research, development, demonstration and promotion of technologies;<br /><br />(b) Conduct of assessment of vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, resource inventory, and adaptation capability building;<br /><br />(c) Advocacy, networking and communication activities in the conduct of information campaign; and<br /><br />(d) Conduct of such other activities reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act, as may be defined by the Commission.<br /><br />SEC. 18. Funding Allocation for Climate Change. – All relevant government agencies and LGUs shall allocate from their annual appropriations adequate funds for the formulation, development and implementation, including training, capacity building and direct intervention, of their respective climate change programs and plans. It shall also include public awareness campaigns on the effects of climate change and energy-saving solutions to mitigate these effects, and initiatives, through educational and training programs and micro-credit schemes, especially for women in rural areas. In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and units shall appropriate funds for program/project development and implementation including continuing training and education in climate change.<br /><br />SEC . 19. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of this Act. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-chaired by a Senator and a Representative to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. Its funding requirement shall be charged against the appropriations of Congress.<br /><br />SEC . 20. Annual Report. – The Commission shall submit to the President and to both Houses of Congress, not later than March 30 of every year following the effectivity of this Act, or upon the request of the Congressional Oversight Committee, a report giving a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act, a progress report on the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan and recommend legislation, where applicable and necessary. LGUs shall submit annual progress reports on the implementation of their respective local action plan to the Commission within the first quarter of the following year.<br /><br />SEC . 21. Appropriations. – The sum of Fifty million pesos (Php50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund in addition to the unutilized fund of the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change. The sum shall be sourced from the President’s contingent fund.<br /><br />Thereafter, the amount necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.<br /><br />SEC . 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the Commission shall, upon consultation with government agencies, LGUs, private sector, NGOs and civil society, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, That failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.<br /><br />SEC . 23. Transitory Provisions. – Upon the organization of the Commission, the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change created under Administrative Order No. 171 and the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change created by virtue of Administrative Order No. 220, shall be abolished: Provided, That their powers and functions shall be absorbed by the Commission: Provided, further, That the officers and employees thereof shall continue in a holdover capacity until such time as the new officers and employees of the Commission shall have been duly appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Act. All qualified regular or permanent employees who may be transferred to the Commission shall not suffer any loss in seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments. Any employee who cannot be absorbed by the Commission shall be entitled to a separation pay under existing retirement laws.<br /><br />SEC. 24. Separability Clause. – If for any reason any section or provision of this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.<br /><br />SEC . 25. Repealing Clause. – All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.<br /><br />SEC . 26. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.<br /><br />Approved,<br /><br />PROSPERO C. NOGRALES<br />Speaker of the House of Representatives <br /><br />JUAN PONCE ENRILE<br />President of the Senate <br /><br />This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2583 and House Bill No. 5982 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on August 25, 2009 and September 2, 2009, respectively.<br /><br />MARILYN B. BARUA -YAP<br />Secretary General<br />House of Representatives <br /><br />EMMA LIRIO -R EYES<br />Secretary of the Senate <br /><br />Approved:<br /><br />GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO<br />President of the PhilippinesWe Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-20339167214586750082009-12-19T01:09:00.000-08:002009-12-19T01:30:20.192-08:00Climate deal 'damaging' to poor nations, Filipina expert saysFor latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br />To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php">request form</a>.<br /><br />---<br />Climate deal 'damaging' to poor nations, Filipina expert says<br />By YASMIN ARQUIZA, GMANews.TV12/19/2009 08:57 AM<br /><a href="http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179751/climate-deal-damaging-to-poor-nations-filipina-expert-says">http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179751/climate-deal-damaging-to-poor-nations-filipina-expert-says</a><br /><br />COPENHAGEN (Updated 3 a.m. Saturday, Denmark time) – A last-minute agreement brokered by US President Barack Obama during the closing hours of the climate summit here Friday does not provide enough financing for poor countries that stand to suffer the most from the negative impact of climate change, a Filipina expert negotiator said.<br /><br /> “It’s damaging to the interests of developing nations," said Bernarditas Castro-Muller, a retired Filipina diplomat who serves as the coordinator for G-77 and China, the largest negotiating bloc of developing nations in the talks.<br /><br />She said the agreement did not put in place the proper financing and technology transfer arrangements that would allow poor countries to adapt to climate change.<br /><br />The informal Copenhagen Accord, which did not go through the normal negotiating procedures of the United Nations-sponsored conference, states: “The collective commitment by developed countries is to provide new and additional resources amounting to 30 billion dollars for the period 2010 – 2012 with balance allocation between adaptation and mitigation, including forestry and new and additional investments through international institutions.<br /><br />"Priority for the funds would be “the most vulnerable developing countries, such as the least developed countries, small island developing states and countries in Africa."Specific pledges to the fund so far are $10.6 billion from the European community, $11 billion from Japan, and $3.6 billion from the United States, according to the document.<br /><br />The agreement also set a goal of $100 billion in funding “from a wide variety of sources" by 2020 to provide the needs of developing countries, but Muller said most of these would come from loans and does not address the need to “pay the climate debt" of rich nations that have polluted the atmosphere for many generations.<br /><br />While recognizing the scientific view that increases in global temperature should not go beyond 2 degrees Celsius to avert dangerous climate change, the agreement did not specify any targets for emission reductions from any country. Instead, it simply states, “We should cooperate in achieving the peaking of global and national emissions as soon as possible." Muller assailed the manner by which world leaders produced the agreement, saying “it’s the result of a non-transparent process.<br /><br />"Negotiators from 192 countries have been working for two years to produce an agreement beyond 2012, when the first period of binding targets on emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol expires. However, there were still many sticking points by the time world leaders flew into Copenhagen for the high-level segment of the talks this week.One of the few carbon-cutting measures in the agreement is the support for “positive incentives" on actions for a mechanism known as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries.<br /><br />The agreement included a table of voluntary mitigation pledges from 11 countries that do not have binding targets under the Kyoto protocol including the Philippines, which committed to reduce emissions by 5 per cent but did not indicate any time frame.<br /><br /><strong>Not legally binding</strong><br /><br />In a news conference at around 11 p.m. Friday where he announced the agreement, Mr. Obama said he worked all day with the leaders of Ethiopia (representing Africa), China, Brazil, India, and South Africa to come up with the deal.<br /><br />He had an additional meeting in the evening with the four big developing countries, "and that's where we agreed to list our national actions and commitments, to provide information on the implementation of these actions through national communications, with international consultations and analysis under clearly defined guidelines," Mr. Obama said.<br /><br />"The way this agreement is structured, each nation will be putting concrete commitments into an appendix to the document, and so will lay out very specifically what each country’s intentions are," he added.Mr. Obama said the national commitments would be subjected to "international consultation and analysis" to track the progress of each country.<br /><br />"It will not be legally binding, but what it will do is allow for each country to show to the world what they're doing, and there will be a sense on the part of each country that we're in this together, and we'll know who is meeting and who's not meeting the mutual obligations that have been set forth," he said.<br /><br />It is unclear how the UN conference would decide on the agreement, which essentially sidelined the negotiating documents containing binding targets for industrialized countries after 2010, when the first round of commitments for the Kyoto protocol expires.<br /><br />Mr. Obama left right after the conference, saying US negotiators would finish other tasks needed at the conference.<br /><br />"The challenge here was that for a lot of countries, particularly those emerging countries that are still in different stages of development, this is going to be the first time in which even voluntarily they offered up mitigation targets," he told the news conference with US media. "And I think that it was important to essentially get that shift in orientation moving, that's what I think will end up being most significant about this accord."<br /><br />"It is still going to require more work and more confidence-building and greater trust between emerging countries, the least developed countries, and the developed countries before I think you are going to see another legally binding treaty signed," he added.<br /><br />"I actually think that it's necessary for us ultimately to get to such a treaty, and I am supportive of such efforts. But this is a classic example of a situation where if we just waited for that, then we would not make any progress," Mr. Obama said.<br /><br />The agreement immediately drew criticism from environment advocates, even as marchers noisily marched to Bella Center in the midnight snow to protest the turn of events.We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-10240875463670416392009-12-19T00:46:00.000-08:002009-12-19T01:09:38.179-08:00RP listed among 12 most at risk to climate changeFor latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/"><strong>The Climate Project</strong></a>.<br /><br />To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <strong><a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php">request form</a>.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />---<br /><br />RP listed among 12 most at risk to climate change<br />By FIL C. SIONIL<br />December 16, 2009, 5:47pm<br /><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/234381/rp-listed-among-12-most-risk-climate-change">http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/234381/rp-listed-among-12-most-risk-climate-change</a><br /><br />COPENHAGEN – The participation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the two-day 15th Conference of Parties (COP) on Climate Change here will be highlighted by calls for funding to 12 countries “most at risk” due to global warming, including the Philippines.<br /><br />The President will push for financial assistance from highly-developed economies anchored on a study by the United Nations (UN)-led Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which showed that the Philippines will be drastically impacted by global warming.<br /><br />Mrs. Arroyo, who arrived here mid-afternoon Wednesday, will be the 17th out of the 28 speakers lined up during the first day session this Friday.<br /><br />While here, the President will also take the opportunity to meet with the Filipino community numbering 7,000 to 8,000, mostly professionals.<br /><br />Of the five climate threats identified by the IPCC study, the Philippines is most vulnerable to strong weather disturbances.<br /><br />“The Philippines leads the list of nations most in danger of facing frequent and more intense storms,” it said.<br />The series of strong typhoons that hit the country since late September, notably Ondoy and Pepeng, were testimonies to this effect. Up until today, thousands of families who were rendered homeless by floods spawned by the storms are still in evacuation centers and are expected to spend their Christmas holidays there.<br /><br />The other economies at great risk to climate change are China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Haiti, Honduras, Fiji, Moldova, Madagascar, Samoa, and Tonga.<br /><br />Delegates to the conference are looking at financing packages aimed to support developing economies mitigate the effects of climate change. The Philippines, for one, is banning the importation of freon, a coolant gas, starting this coming year.<br /><br />On a per capita basis, the World Resources Institute said Qatar is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gas at 55 tons per head followed by the United Arab Emirates at 38.8 tons, Kuwait at 35 tons and Luxembourg at 27.5 tons. The United States ranked 7th at 23.5 tons closely followed by Canada at 22.6 tons.<br />The 27 countries comprising the European Community have a combined emission of 10.3 tons, lower than Japan’s 10.5 tons.We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-58844494214965933572009-08-22T01:27:00.000-07:002009-08-22T01:28:26.792-07:00Australia gives P123-million aid for RP<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By MADEL R. SABATER, Manila Bulletin</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">August 20, 2009, 8:46pm</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Australian government has launched on Thursday new initiatives on disaster risk reduction (DRR) amounting to approximately P123-million as it identified the Philippines as one of the two priority countries on its DRR policy program implementation.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launching of new initiatives on DRR falls under Australia’s new Disaster Risk Reduction policy for the Australian aid program, which was launched in Geneva, Switzerland in June this year. The other priority country is Indonesia.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launching was held on Thursday at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City during the 13th Asia Pacific Policy Forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the DRR initiatives are part of practical programs and cooperation under the bilateral programs between Australia and the Philippines on climate change adaptation and mitigation.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The P123-million Australian aid will fund three projects in the country. The first project, amounting to P87.5-million, will be implemented starting this year until 2011 by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It seeks to mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in local and land use plans and processes.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second project, meanwhile, amounting to P52.5-million, will provide technical assistance to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), particularly on Spatial Data Management to improve the quality and timeliness of geospatial information. The project will be implemented with Geoscience Australia.</span></span></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-62476449825288578122009-08-16T00:12:00.000-07:002009-08-16T00:19:26.229-07:00No Agreement Yet on Climate Change for Asia<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">By Dr. Terry Lacey</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">15/08/2009 19:08:00</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >, Tripoli Post</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >India and China did not agree to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the G8 recent meetings in Italy. Will new donors in the Gulf and the G20 support climate change with real additional money while the West recycles aid commitments? What does this mean for funding renewable energy in ASEAN and Asia?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants a $100 billion climate change adaptation fund at the Copenhagen summit in December. The UK Conservative leader David Cameron says the UK Department for International Development (DFID) should help spend this. (The Independent 11.10.09).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Aid experts like Kevin Watkins, a director at UNESCO, says this could mean a big drop in conventional aid, especially for Africa. Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will commit $50 millions a year for 7 years to the new International Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which it will host. (Khaleej Times 10.07.09).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >President Obama tried to use the G8 Summit in L´Aquila Italy to try and push for a deal on global warming at the December climate change summit in Copenhagen. The two groups of states that met in Italy were essentially the richest countries and the fastest growing countries, but they clearly had different interests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >The G8 comprise the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. The G8 opened up talks on climate change targets with Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt. The Major Economies Forum will then also include Australia, Indonesia and South Korea.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Guy Caruso, Energy Advisor of the Washington based Centre for Strategic and International Studies recognized that “The bottom line is that the industrialised countries will need to provide the incentives to the emerging countries”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >The emerging countries are refusing to commit to specific emission reduction targets because they want the richer G8 to also make commitments to emission reduction targets and to make pledges to finance and transfer technologies to the developing world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Meanwhile ARENA now being set up in the zero-carbon-waste Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is one of a new generation of international agencies set up to promote Renewable Energy internationally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Its Director General Helena Pelosse intends to globally network universities, NGOs and government ministries among plus 130 countries. But ARENA will not be a funding agency, focusing on “capacity building and policy advice”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >In Asia the policy framework for renewables is almost the reverse of Europe where fossil fuel energy is discouraged with more incentives for renewable energy. In Asia fossil fuel is subsidized with less incentives for renewable energy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >The big problem in Asia and developing countries is the lack of capacity on financial deal structuring and practical turnkey management. This is holding up development of small and medium renewable energy projects, whose high start-up and transaction costs discourage investors and developers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Two new practical initiatives have been announced recently in Asian and ASEAN countries to try and fill the gap between renewable energy projects and investors.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >One is the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) backed by USAID, targeting the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and China, essentially proving consultancy services and business links to try and make sure that projects will happen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Another is a Finnish initiative based on the successful Central American Energy and Environment Partnership (which helped fund 178 environmental energy projects in Central America between 2003 and 2008) now being extended to the Greater Mekong States and possibly the Indonesian provinces.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >By the time of the Copenhagen Summit both sides have to put their cards on the table.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >But in Asia as in the UK and Europe, as implied recently by Paul Golby the Chief Executive of mega-utility Eon, industry-wide planning delays, supply chain bottlenecks and weak carbon prices all put pressure on time-scales and targets for renewables, whilst coal and nuclear power look more reliable ways of meeting a large and growing energy gap.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >In Asia energy security is more pressing than clean energy arguments and energy projects must be commercially viable and implemented faster.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >The West will need to put more money into climate change policies and renewables in the Asian economic powerhouse if it wants environmental gains and trade benefits, and not at the expense of the poorest in Africa and Latin America.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">About The Author</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Terry Lacey</span> is a development economist who writes from Jakarta on modernisation in the Muslim world, investment and trade relations with the EU and Islamic banking.<br />© 2009 - The Tripoli Post </span>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-90663197095592193112009-08-15T00:13:00.000-07:002009-08-15T00:31:57.468-07:00WB: Philippines is Vulnerable<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadcQ9KnhJiJh10wo1VHjnKCWHmxu_tsZVTDxD1L5O_9BgvuIMhssE-oxlY3bJLIgkGJKN7jRybuEtw29nbx3uf1vQ3kv6XJ2dMlYypeklauG8cauaYdxMzV0NPSnJQEeYE096Meydvtvo/s1600-h/philvul.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadcQ9KnhJiJh10wo1VHjnKCWHmxu_tsZVTDxD1L5O_9BgvuIMhssE-oxlY3bJLIgkGJKN7jRybuEtw29nbx3uf1vQ3kv6XJ2dMlYypeklauG8cauaYdxMzV0NPSnJQEeYE096Meydvtvo/s320/philvul.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370087990116990738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">World Bank data of 12 most vulnerable countries.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body">The World Bank has made a list of the five main threats arising from climate change: droughts, floods, storms, rising sea levels, and greater uncertainty in agriculture. Four of the world's poorest nations top the <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/pdf/Convenient_Solutions_to_an_Inconvenient_Truth.pdf" target="_blank">list of the 12 countries</a> at the highest risk. </span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" ><span id="Body"><br />The Philippines, a middle-income country in Southeast Asia consisting of over 7,000 islands, leads the list of nations most in danger of facing frequent and more intense storms. In 2008 it was one of three countries hit by the most disasters, according to the Brussels-based Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. </span></span></span></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-20744921914506137242009-08-14T23:37:00.000-07:002009-08-14T23:44:31.840-07:00Global Warming Jeopardizes World's Most Diverse Marine Ecosystem<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrBVjZWrmTs8ucaCgfVx-28anrW-EdOLgi1lXXWZkHS0KkIid_A0fNKuX_DiQK6_Dd89WxWE3grQ0uJ-n2EouQhX4qBD1UNIAlrIU2Sm50J61WINNxCmnr69A5oY8j1rRPRUYIKlmodqk/s1600-h/verdeisland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrBVjZWrmTs8ucaCgfVx-28anrW-EdOLgi1lXXWZkHS0KkIid_A0fNKuX_DiQK6_Dd89WxWE3grQ0uJ-n2EouQhX4qBD1UNIAlrIU2Sm50J61WINNxCmnr69A5oY8j1rRPRUYIKlmodqk/s320/verdeisland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370076779965479698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Verde Island Passage coral reef, Philippines </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(Conservation International)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>WASHINGTON, DC</b>, August 10, 2009 (ENS) - The Verde Island Passage, a narrow corridor of tropical waters in the Philippines that is considered the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world, is at risk of climate change and needs immediate protective action, scientists are warning. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The scientists gathered last week in Batangas City, Philippines for a workshop organized by Conservation International, which is based in Washington, DC. After assessing the impacts of climate change on the Verde Island Passage, they painted a grim picture for the unique area.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Climate change will not only affect marine habitats and species but also fisheries and the tourism industry of this popular destination with consequences for the well-being of nearly two million people who rely on them for food and income. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"The marine habitats and species of the Verde Island Passage are already threatened by human impacts, like overfishing, pollution and coastal infrastructure development," said Dr. Giuseppe Di Carlo, Conservation International's marine climate change manager. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> "Climate change is intensifying these impacts, with severe consequences for the well-being of the people of the area, since they depend on fishing and tourism industry," said Di Carlo. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Verde Island Passage has the highest concentration of marine species of any region in the world's oceans, including whale sharks, <i>Rhincodon typus,</i> giant clams, <i>Tridacna gigas</i>, and the iconic Banggai cardinalfish, <i>Pterapogon kauderni</i>. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> But the panel of scientists cautioned that the impacts of climate change in combination with over-exploitation of resources already are threatening the marine habitats. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> They found that increasing ocean temperatures are causing coral bleaching - meaning that corals can no longer support the array of plants and animals that rely on them. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Sea level rise is causing coral drowning as the water gets deeper and coral growth is inhibited, the scientists say. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sea level rise is also damaging mangroves - a key costal habitat that protects the coastline and coastal communities from storms, reduces the impacts of floods and provides important habitats for juvenile fishes.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> And increased storm frequency and intensity is affecting the marine habitats as well as coastal settlements and the tourist trade in the area. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Corals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate related threats as ocean temperatures increase, sea level rises and the ocean becomes more acidic as it absorbs the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, a process that undermines corals' ability to grow their skeletons. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The scientists were joined by government officials and local people who discussed the changes in the environment, how the local community is being affected and what needs to be done to adapt. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> The islands are facing the collapse of fish populations, damage from aquaculture activities like shrimp farming, and falling tourist revenues. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"This workshop tried to offer concrete solutions to adapting to the effects of climate change, so that the unique biodiversity of this place can survive for future generations," Di Carlo said. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The scientists recommended a series of measures to protect the area, including ensuring that seagrass beds, mangroves and other habitats that provide important ecological services are included in protected areas. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">They also recommended the promotion of alternative livelihoods such as seaweed farming for area residents, and construction of ports on stilts to allow sediments to move freely, reducing sediment loads that harm corals and other coastal marine ecosystems.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:78%;" ><a href="http://www.ens-newswire.com/" target="_blank">Copyright Environment News Service, ENS, 2009. All rights reserved.</a></span></p>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-46180925808566211512009-08-14T23:26:00.000-07:002009-08-15T00:30:49.100-07:00PHILIPPINES: Disaster prevention is better than cure<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">MANILA, 14 August 2009 (IRIN) - When </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85651">Typhoon Marakot</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> struck the Philippines’ main island of Luzon last week, a faulty dyke was breached, leading to massive flooding and displacing thousands. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> If the local government had set aside a few million pesos to repair the dyke, the disaster could have been prevented, said Richard Gordon, the main proponent of a Disaster Risk Management Bill, which if passed, will ensure municipal governments allocate at least 5 percent of their budgets to disaster risk management. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The proposed bill is one of several measures that the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, has announced to boost preparedness. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The Philippines, a middle-income country comprising 7,000 islands, leads a World Bank list of nations most in danger of facing frequent and more intense storms because of climate change. In 2008, it was one of three countries that experienced the most disasters, according to the Brussels-based Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Provincial and municipal governments across the country are being urged to take the initiative and use their powers to forcibly evacuate residents during a natural disaster, Glenn Rabonza, chief of Manila’s Office of Civil Defence (OCD) told IRIN. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> "We are a hazard- and disaster-prone country simply and unfortunately because of our geographical location. We get about 20 or so typhoons a year, about seven of them potentially destructive," Rabonza said. </span></span></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Apart from the typhoons that blow in from the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines also sits on the </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/mhudson/490webring.html" target="_blank">Pacific Rim of Fire</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> where periodic earthquakes occur, Rabonza noted. And while the country has not had one as powerful as the one that devastated Szechuan in China or Pakistan-administered Kashmir in recent years, "ours are smaller-scale, periodic and too often affect large populations", he stressed.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"><strong>Early warning systems </strong></span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> The government also hopes to complete an updated "mapping of flood and landslide prone areas". </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> Early warning, forecasting and monitoring systems have been improved, with at least 10 new radars installed in the typhoon-entry zones in the eastern Bicol region to alert the populace. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> Gordon, who also chairs the Philippine National Red Cross, stressed that government spending on disaster prevention and preparedness measures could significantly curb the billions spent on relief and rehabilitation. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> "Without disaster prevention and preparedness, we will for ever be pouring money into a bottomless pit and the cycle of disaster and poverty will continue," he said. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> The government is also trying to emphasize "disaster mitigation and pre-emptive evacuation", mainly because many poor residents often ignore government warnings to leave disaster-prone areas, including riversides, slopes, hills and illegal mining operations, said Rabonza. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> One such area is the eastern portion of Manila, with a population of about 15 million, which sits on the West Valley or <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/pacnw/paleo/manila/index.php" target="_blank">Marikina Fault</a>. It has registered several earthquakes in the last 1,500 years. Scientists fear that if the fault moves drastically it could trigger a 7.2 magnitude quake, flattening buildings and resulting in about 35,000 deaths and injuring 100,000, Rabonza said. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> The private sector in Manila, including owners of major business establishments, has stepped up earthquake drills. </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> </span></span><br /><span class="reportbody" style="text-align: justify;"><span id="Body"> "We have put in place action plans already, including massive earthquake drills among schools. We are trying our best to prepare ourselves, but let's face the fact that no country, no community, no nation can be truly fully prepared if there is a sudden onset of disaster like a massive earthquake," Rabonza said.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85717</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(71, 71, 72);"> Copyright © IRIN 2009</span>.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:tahoma;font-size:9pt;" ><strong>humanitarian news and analysis</strong></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);font-family:tahoma;font-size:8pt;" >a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs</span></span> </div></div>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-47254976953719217612009-08-14T22:50:00.000-07:002009-08-16T03:09:16.247-07:00Philippine TCP Presenter at Indigenous Youths Consultation on Climate Change<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnwGqaxWqJUQEq6OP2WqwjF8Xjb_211aG9UBsf_798qWVENsmZEdBr5yjwcDdhQRUcwge96n10CdQQR_5UdhxKchqRUbfrlHpw-HqKMpN7vz39C85p9fKOSOQAZcmH-OW3VAHqHj0ILD9/s1600-h/form+web+apiyn.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnwGqaxWqJUQEq6OP2WqwjF8Xjb_211aG9UBsf_798qWVENsmZEdBr5yjwcDdhQRUcwge96n10CdQQR_5UdhxKchqRUbfrlHpw-HqKMpN7vz39C85p9fKOSOQAZcmH-OW3VAHqHj0ILD9/s320/form+web+apiyn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370065024275406098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rod Galicha (center) with indigenous youth leaders</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">TCP Presenter <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rodne R. Galicha</span> talks about Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples during the Luzon Indigenous Youths Consultation on Climate Change organised by the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youths Network in Baguio City, Philippines, during the World Indigenous Peoples' Day on 9 August 2009.</span></span><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Around 40 indigenous youth leaders attended the consultation. The participants said that the presentation really helped them amplify their roles as the hope of the Philippine indigenous community. They commit to share their traditional knowledge and integrate it with climate change adaptation and mitigation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The indigenous peoples are the least contributors to climate change yet they are the most vulnerable to it, however, their age-old knowledge on climate and the environment may be used to combat climate change.</span></p>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-50665985866220464712009-08-14T22:37:00.000-07:002009-08-16T03:09:51.660-07:00TCP Presenter appointed as member of Philippine Delegation to Climate Talks<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Lui5wsI2cqn3j1HlTwAilEZnGgkRyDGNfwW4Idi81hDLTaCLInXGTGmGxmNuuoksMLsDgMQXKp3X3lsNzqXidJAaDWmWHoDmkv_2fgZLhr6RPbg-nrPmvG_UFG3HByNjtLryv5W_Awl/s1600-h/tcpfour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5Lui5wsI2cqn3j1HlTwAilEZnGgkRyDGNfwW4Idi81hDLTaCLInXGTGmGxmNuuoksMLsDgMQXKp3X3lsNzqXidJAaDWmWHoDmkv_2fgZLhr6RPbg-nrPmvG_UFG3HByNjtLryv5W_Awl/s320/tcpfour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370061826838038146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">TCP-Pilipinas: Gilbert Sape, Myke Magalang, Persida Rueda-Acosta, Rod Galicha</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">TCP Presenter <span style="font-weight: bold;">Myke Magalang </span>was appointed by Philippine Climate Change Head & Secretary Heherson Alvarez as member of the Philippine Delegation's Technical Working Group on Adaptation which reviewed and finalized the Philippines' negotiating text for the Copenhagen Conference.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">He is set to go with the Philippine Delegation for the Bangkok Intersessional Meeting on September 26 to October 9.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Magalang explained that his "engagement with the TCP Asia pacific Summit in Melbourne last month has helped significantly as I contributed actively in influencing the Philippine position in favor of the planet and the future generation."</span></p>We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8382922626246247286.post-50553571766743632562009-08-14T05:17:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:16:55.270-07:00Welcome to The Climate Project - Philippine Presenters<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >What is TCP?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Climate Project (TCP) is an international non-profit founded by Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore with a mission to increase public awareness of the climate crisis at a grassroots level worldwide. TCP consists of a professional staff and more than 2,600 dedicated volunteers throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Spain, the UK, and Indonesia, all personally trained by Al Gore to present a version of the slide show featured in the Academy Award-winning film An Inconvenient Truth. In 2009, TCP expanded its mission with a anew commitment to advocacy and activism to combat the climate crisis. TCP presenters have reached a combined audience of more than 5 million people worldwide and plans are underway to develop affiliate offices in Israel, China, Eastern Europe, Mexico, and Latin America. Our hope is that by raising the awareness of our fellow citizens about this crisis and informing them about potential solutions, all of us, together, can preserve the climate balance on which humanity and our planet depends.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Philippine participants during the Asia Pacific training on climate change in Australia form The Philippine Climate Justice Initiative as they continue to discuss the climate crisis with various audiences.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >What are the goals?</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />TCP seeks to raise awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis. We hope to motivate individuals to become active participants in solving the climate crisis by:<br /><br />1) Training a diverse range of citizens from numerous geographic regions and walks of life to communicate the science and impacts of climate change.<br /><br />2) Engaging the public through presentations, news media, individual conversations, and grassroots advocacy and activism so that they will make informed choices about public policy matters related to climate change.<br /><br />3) Promoting local, domestic and global initiatives to solve the climate crisis.<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Who are the authorized Philippine presenters?<br /><br /></span><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_dDwelW5TyadWNl-cdLnNNTIRAvnlFZfDZR_X0GYRRAXJ-T6HKryOB4_s2-PfOjr2R0TF94yfj23v8RBIDP_zCEzv7zH4Cai0BKCyLN69r_oVyFdMFzig6frmY_OV_1S91yV9AKjzyjS/s1600-h/al+gore.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_dDwelW5TyadWNl-cdLnNNTIRAvnlFZfDZR_X0GYRRAXJ-T6HKryOB4_s2-PfOjr2R0TF94yfj23v8RBIDP_zCEzv7zH4Cai0BKCyLN69r_oVyFdMFzig6frmY_OV_1S91yV9AKjzyjS/s400/al+gore.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367568870122577042" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Philippines has four official presenters. They have undergone series of trainings in Melbourne, VIC, Australia, under the tutelage of Al Gore himself and a bunch of scientific and social experts of TCP.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >ATTY. PERSIDA RUEDA-ACOSTA</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Persida works for the Philippines’ Public Attorney’s Office as its head in the Department of Justice. She wants to help the Philippines assist in addressing global concerns around climate change.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >RODNE R. GALICHA</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Rodne is the Executive Director of Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc., involved with the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas and convened Mining Action Philippines in Australia. He supports indigenous communities to continue their traditional way of living, and helps mining affected communities.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >MIGUEL R. MAGALANG</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Miguel is the Executive Director of Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns. Living in a province already impacted by climate change, he is working with people who have been affected by climate change and disaster relief. As presenter, he commits to sustain his organization for the benefit of the poorest and most vulnerable communities.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >GILBERT ROLAND SAPE</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Gilbert works for an international NGO that replaces the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. He works closely with farmers’ organizations. He is interested in how food production contributes to climate change.</span></p><br />_______________<br /><br />For latest update on the Climate Crisis, please visit <a href="http://theclimateproject.org/">The Climate Project</a>.<br /><br />To request for presentations through the Philippine Climate Justice Initiative group, please complete this <a href="http://www.theclimateprojectus.org/presentation.php">request form</a> or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com directly for Philippine requests.We Are Naturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585220283575936805noreply@blogger.com0