MANILA, Philippines – A colorful assortment of tricycles, jeepneys and cars – all powered by environment-friendly fuel –paraded around the Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday in a bid to raise awareness of the ill effects of climate change and global warming especially in underdeveloped countries.
To mark the "Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week," around 30 different vehicles were exhibited in the parade of environment-friendly transport solutions being used in Metro Manila.
"All of us are on a war footing against climate change. We need to rally our people to help reduce our carbon emission by promoting alternative transportation," said Heherson Alvarez of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change.
Dubbed the Green Technology Fair, the exhibit featured 20 electric tricycles from Taguig City, cars which run on compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, and a solar powered car from De La Salle University.
Lawrence Ang, also of the OPACC, said the parade also included a hydrogen-powered pick-up truck and 14 electric and LPG-run jeepneys.
Some bikers from the office of Senator Pia Cayetano also joined the contingent as it made its way around the Quezon Memorial Circle Park.
"This to showcase the available technology we have which could lessen the harmful effects of most fuels to the environment," Ang said.
The OPACC, with other government agencies, recently held a fair on the best materials recovery facility practices at the SM North Edsa.
Participating agencies include the World Wildlife Fund, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health and the Civil Service Commission.
Alvarez led Saturday's program as he called on both the private and public sector to come together in light of recent climate-related disasters such as typhoons, floods and landslides.
He pointed out that in the case of the Philippines, the country is not a major producer of carbon dioxide emissions as compared to industrialized nations.
"The Philippines only emits 1.5 tons per capita of carbon emission, while the US and other countries emit much more. We are not carbon makers but rather carbon takers," Alvarez said in an interview.
The country is to participate in the 15th Conference of Parties in Copenhagen on December 7 in which Alvarez and President Macapagal-Arroyo will join world leaders in voting for a new climate change treaty which will succeed the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.
"We will call on industrial nations to cut down on their carbon dioxide emission, because those in poorer countries suffer from the devastation caused by climate change," Alvarez said.
He also named actor Alfred Vargas as a "climate change ambassador and spokesperson" to help campaign for more environment-friendly solutions to climate change.
As spokesman, Vargas, a talent of the GMA Network, will join the OPACC's advocacy programs.
"As individuals, we can do many simple things to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations," Alvarez added.
