By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – The catastrophic effects of global warming are felt worldwide.
It is evidenced in environmental and social changes caused by human emission of greenhouse gases which includes the rising of sea levels and decreased snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere.
The rising temperatures increase the melting of world glaciers causing sea level rise and bringing immense flooding in low-lying areas.
Climate change affects everyone
A warming climate will bring changes that affects our water supplies, agriculture, power and transportation systems, the natural environment, and even our own health and safety.
According to some experts, global warming has exerted violent effects on the earth’s climate that is why the national government has embarked on a stringent mitigation and adaptation campaign to cushion its impact.
DENR and PIA ink agreement
On October 2013, the Deparment of Environment and Natural Resources DENR and Philippine Information Agency inked a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of a climate change adaptation advocacy campaign (CCAAC) nationwide.
The campaign is designed for all sectors of society especially the grassroots who, up this day have little or no knowledge what climate change is all about. It also calls for youth advocates to take a stand and help in the campaign and for everyone to do his share.
Regional advocacy launch
On July 18, a regional launch for Zamboanga Peninsula was held at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The event was attended by DENR and PIA employees led by regional directors Arleigh Adorable and Noemi Edaga, respectively.
Members of the Regional Task on Climate Change of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9, local media of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay, and the newly-created Youth for Climate Change advocates (Zamboanga Sibugay Chapter) also graced the launching.
Save lives thru information
PIA9 RD Noemi Edaga in her message said the event is designed to equip participants with the knowledge of helping their communities mitigate the impact of climate change which carries the nationwide tagline, “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago.”
“The bottomline of this initiative is to save lives, through information when disaster strikes,” Edaga explained.
New normal
DENR 9 regional director Arleigh Adorable said extreme weather sparked by climate change is the “new normal”.
“Climate change is happening around the world. We cannot stop it. We have to live with it,” Adorbale urged.
Adorable cited a UN study which showed that the Philippines ranks third in the list of coutries most vulnerable to climate change.
Because of this very alarming situation, Adorable challenged the advocates to actively involve themselves in the adaptation and mitigation measures initiated by the government.
“I challenge you as advocates to be actively involved in the adaptation and mitigation measures initiated by the government to minimize the impact of climate change,” he added.
Massive Reforestation Program
Adorable said Pesident Benigno Simeon Aquino III has signed Exectuve Order No. 26 issued on February 24, 2011 to implement the National Greening Program (NGP).
The NGP, as the government’s flagship reforestation program mandates the DENR to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of 6 years, from 2011 to 2016.
In support to the President’s marching order, Adorable said the DENR has embarked into a massive tree planting. “For region 9, we are given the quota of 100,000 hectares to plant trees,” the environment chief said.
The agency has implemented various programs that would address climate change problem such as RA 9003, An Act Providing for an Ecological Solid Waste Management Program, Comprehensive Land Use Program, among others.
Adorable also urged the media to support the advocacy campaign saying that media play a very important role in behavior change of society.
The responsibility of dessiminating important information on climate change does not lie only on the government but on the media as well, according to Adorable.
Broadcaster’s manual signing
As a gesture of their active support to the campaign, the signing of climate change adaptation advocacy broadcaster’s manual was formally held following the brief program.
Members of local media signed the manual, translated in the Cebuano dialect, as an expression of their resolute commitment and support. The manual contains tips on how to prepare for a disaster or emergency which will be used in their public affairs program.
“Your actions today will definitely shape the world our children and grandchildren will live in,” Adorable concluded.