Legarda bats for climate change politics

Senate environment committee chairperson Loren Legarda. INQUIRER/JESS YUSON

MANILA, Philippines—Politicians should now take seriously the issue of climate change for the benefit of their constituents, reelectionist Sen. Loren Legarda said on Friday.

Legarda made the remark after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed US President Barrack Obama’s reelection bid due to the latter’s climate change advocacy and the president’s immediate response to Superstorm “Sandy”.

“As I have always said many years ago, climate change is the greatest development and humanitarian challenge of our times,” Legarda said in a statement.

“It has become a defining political issue too in America, especially with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsing President Obama because of the steps he has taken to address climate change and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie commending President Obama’s actions during superstorm Sandy’s wrath,” Legarda said.

Political issue

Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on climate change, adverted to Bloomberg citing Obama’s efforts in pushing for regulations that will cut down emissions from cars and power plants.

She added that Christie expressed appreciation to President Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials for working in close coordination with the State government during the disaster.

“Even in the Philippines, climate change is a defining political issue because it means livelihood, jobs, homes, and our very survival,” Legarda said.

“World leaders must not allow people to continuously suffer from floods, hunger, displacement, and economic setbacks. This is ‘disaster risk reduction politics,’” she added.

Legarda said the aftermath of superstorm Sandy presents an opportunity to remind world leaders of their responsibility “to lead people out of the crises and uncertainties brought about by unsustainable development, worsening disasters and climate change.”

Political will

Legarda, who was recently cited as a hero of resilience by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, earlier indicated that Philippine officials could learn a thing or two about political will as shown by New York’s shutdown of its subway system and the forcible evacuation of residents as Sandy was about to hit.

“Their sense of preparedness is amazing and the political will of their leaders like Mayor Bloomberg is laudable considering that he closed down the subways, forcibly evacuated residents as he did in Hurricane ‘Irene,’” Legarda said when asked if Filipinos could learn anything from the US response to Sandy.