Rekindle Filipino Bayanihan to Battle Climate Change

WALK THE TALK 

by: Justine Mae Fernandez

Scientists worldwide have anticipated the effects of climate change, which unexpectedly turned into an even bigger issue that all members of society should urgently tackle. In a 2019 report in the New York Times, it has been said that scientists have underestimated the extent of the ill effects of climate change to people’s lives and properties, which could imply, further, that leaders from various parts of the globe have failed to prepare proactive solutions to counter, if not address, the impacts of climate change. The Philippines is, of course, not an exemption.

Amid the continuing fight against COVID-19, the Filipinos are once again facing stalemate as the nation is recently hit by Typhoon Ulysses (with the International name "Vamco"), causing sheer devastation of homes, power outage, and even casualties to human life. According to Rappler, the 21st tropical cyclone which visited the country in the year 2020 bludgeoned Luzon starting on November 11. With its powerful wind and heavy outpour, Ulysses badly hurt Bicol, CALABARZON, and Metro Manila. Albeit the country’s geographical location, being prone to weather disturbances, one could not help but notice the frequency of these tropical cyclones within a year, the intensity and increase in rainfall, and the immensity of storm surges driven by rising sea temperatures and increased water vapor due to a more humid atmosphere, which are all characteristics of climate change. Yes, climate change is a global phenomenon hastened by people's irresponsible activities. However, what seems to be more apparent in the Philippines now is when the world and its environmental advocates have been thinking and innovating ways to be part of the climate change solution, Filipinos have never really bailed out from the culture of finger-pointing. The impacts of climate change have rather spawned ruckus among Filipino people. Where is the Filipino Bayanihan amidst all these? 

The truth of the matter is more than being an environmental and economic concern, climate change is becoming more and more a divisive political issue. 

So how are we supposed to position ourselves in light of the heated debate? Perhaps it would be helpful to recall the words of some of the popular people who have spoken about climate change. 

Former US President Barack Obama said that “No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” These words remind key leaders in every nation to become more aggressive and serious about their mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of climate change. To bind everyone through legislation that ends every country’s contribution to climate change is, hence, imperative. These laws should prod individuals, businesses, and communities to leave less carbon imprint on the environment by using eco-friendlier products and technologies. Other policies should encourage the use of natural and renewable energy sources, and the motivation to think more about sustainability than profit. 

One of South Africa's most well-known human rights activists, and the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu, also remarked, “People of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustice of climate change,” which appropriately conjures the idea that governments exist for its citizens, not the privileged few, or the corporations running industries. Leaders should understand that the poor, the underprivileged, those who have nothing are the most vulnerable when talking about the impacts of climate change; therefore, they should proactively think of ways to provide these communities access to affordable housing, comprehensive health care, sustainable livelihood source, reliable transportation, and other social services. It is an understatement to say that only corrupt leaders prioritize the needs, and wants of the few go beyond the needs of the many (Babones, Inequality.org). 

However, the government is not only the sole entity to be held accountable for the impacts of climate change. We all are the dwellers of this earth and the consumers of its resources. We, therefore, have a responsibility to take care of it and all the other creations. Do we, at least, ask ourselves how much waste we contribute to our air, water, and land? Or have we been good stewards in the conservation of water and energy so far? Have we found the resoluteness to engage in dialogues more critically yet openly to learn more and to come to terms to rally together for an even better cause? Again, it is the first woman to serve as France's finance minister, Christine Lagarde, who emphasized that tackling climate change is “a collective endeavor, [a] collective accountability.” 

Finally, who would ever forget the Swedish environmental activist who aired out her protest regarding what she perceives is the inaction and/or insufficient response of governments and the business sector to the United Nations Paris Agreement on climate change, Greta Thunberg, who said that ‘[T]he climate crisis has already been solved. We already have the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change.” I hope Filipinos would soon wake from this long, disturbing dream and realize that the real battle against climate change is not on social media, not through exchanging deleterious accusations to people having an opposite stance towards the issue. What we need now is a change of ways and a change of perspective. We do not need to invalidate anyone's effort just because of prejudiced viewpoints. We do not need to take on sides if and only if we have a common goal, and that is to provide means to be a climate change solution. What we need is to rekindle the lost fire of the Filipino Bayanihan within us to overpower mistrust.