MANILA, Philippines — The record-high heat index temperature recorded in Metro Manila is a “glaring symptom” of a global climate crisis, according to Senator Loren Legarda.
Legarda sounded the alarm on Friday as the National Capital Region logged the hottest day on record last April 29 when the temperature soared to 38.8°C, surpassing the previous all-time highs of 38.6°C recorded in 1915 and 2021. The heat index that day was also at 45°C, which the state weather bureau deemed “dangerous.”
READ: Metro Manila hits hottest day on record at 38.8°C
“The recent report of Metro Manila hitting an all-time high record of 45°C heat index is not just a local anomaly; it is a glaring symptom of a planet in crisis,” Legarda said in a statement.
The record-high temperature was declared amid the continuous onslaught of El Niño, the weather phenomenon that increases the prospect of below-normal rainfall conditions in the country.
Global boiling
Legarda, citing the United Nations, stressed that the world is not just experiencing global warming but a planet “boiling over with the consequences of our actions.”
“The warning signs have been evident for years, but now we are truly facing the era of ‘global boiling’ as aptly termed by the United Nations,” she said.
READ: Are we ready for ‘global boiling’?
“The extreme heatwaves, intensified storms, and rising sea levels are clear indicators that we must act swiftly and decisively,” Legarda said.
Climate justice
The senator also alluded to climate justice as a more effective way to address this issue, saying there is a need to eliminate rhetoric and half-measures.
READ: Marcos: Developed nations must do more, act now on climate change
“The responsibility to address climate change falls on all nations, but particularly on the world’s most developed countries,” she said. “They hold significant influence and resources to implement meaningful change and curb global emissions.”
“This is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of social justice, economic stability, and global security. The time for rhetoric and half-measures has passed. We must come together, united in purpose, to address the greatest challenge of our time: safeguarding the future of our planet for generations to come,” she continued.