Climate change is a gut issue—Legarda

Senator Loren Legarda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Reelectionist Sen. Loren Legarda says climate change and disaster risk reduction are gut issues like hunger and poverty alleviation.

She said it is just a matter of connecting with an audience, many of whom wonder where to get their next meal or the next job that would pay for the cost of living.

“I know how to connect climate change and disaster risk reduction to hunger, poverty, loss of livelihood, loss of lives, and what I do is prescriptive,” Legarda told the Philippine Daily Inquirer after she topped the latest SWS survey weeks after discussing concepts like climate change and disaster risk reduction on the campaign trail.

“I tell people what to do to prevent disasters and to improve lives by complying with our environmental laws. People appreciate, understand the issue. Climate change and disaster risk reduction are gut issues,” she added.

The Inquirer on Sunday reported that the audience at a rally of the United Nationalist Alliance showed little concern for such issues as climate change and good governance as they were more concerned about having food on the table and improving their lives.

Legarda said that the adverse impact of the effects of climate change—stronger-than-ever rains and unprecedented dry spells—have a substantial impact on the country and the people’s income.

“We cannot ignore the issue. I also inform them of climate change and NDRRMC laws and how it benefits them,” Legarda said.

To communicate the issues better, Legarda distributes climate change kits and disaster preparedness manuals that “are appreciated by the people.”