Complacency in the era of climate emergency

The 1994 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) was adopted by governments from 190 countries to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

“Anthropogenic interference” refers to man-made actions, practices and lifestyles that have caused the increase of climate-altering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fossil fuels such as coal and gas are the leading drivers of climate change.

We are witness to the aberrant weather patterns engulfing more and more communities, all over the globe. In the past weeks, for instance, previously unheard of flooding in the Middle East occurred. In the Philippines, the mega typhoon Haiyan, which Filipinos know as Yolanda, caused unprecedented loss of precious lives and destruction of billions of pesos worth of crops and properties.

We may have already breached the “safe” level where climate systems function in a way we are used to. In May this year, scientists announced that the carbon concentration in the atmosphere has reached almost 400 parts per million for the first time in five million years. It is also not a matter of coincidence that the World Meteorological Organizations declared 2013 as the 7th hottest year for our planet, eclipsing the past year’s record.

The signatory states of UNFCC convene annually to look at ways to respond effectively to what former US Vice President Al Gore aptly described as a “planetary emergency” – climate change. The recent 19th Conference of Parties (COP) in Warsaw could not provide the much-needed breakthrough for the parties to agree to GHG reduction, and even extended negotiations for another day.

The delegates from the less-consuming countries such as Kiribati and the Philippines, and nongovernment organizations all over the world are coming home empty-handed. They had hoped, despite the tremendous odds, for an acknowledgment from the industrialized nations of their historical responsibility in contributing the gargantuan share of GHG emission, the ethical responsibility to drastically cut the same and the much-essential reparation for those who are and will be victims of the impacts of climate change.

We know that those who contribute the least to climate change are the ones who suffer the most. The most vulnerable sectors are disproportionately bearing the burden that the heaviest of GHG polluters have imposed upon our civilization and the future generations.

The same is happening in our own country. The indigenous peoples, the subsistence fisherfolk, our farmers and their families and those most dependent on nature for their sustenance and the children have the barest carbon footprints. Yet, they are the ones most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as intense weather conditions, sea level rise, droughts and diseases, as they simply have no resources or capacity to adapt.

Climate change is an issue of human rights, justice and ethical responsibility. Governments have the duty to protect their constituents and their rights to life, health and a healthful and balanced ecology. Each citizen has the responsibility not to destroy the environment and even ensure the prosecution of those who do.

Our world-class laws have not failed us – but government did, in a big way.

If only our environmental and climate-related laws were given the respect and the prioritization that they deserve by implementers and citizens alike, the casualties would certainly have been less.

Did the local government units (LGUs) even craft in a participatory manner the required plans as road maps for future actions such as the Climate Change Action Plan, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan, Air Quality Action Plan, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and updates thereto, among a plethora of plans that LGUs are required to prepare, under our laws.

President Aquino got the flak for blaming non-functioning local government unit officials in the tragedy that befell Tacloban, Leyte and Samar. But, as the official vested by our Constitution to exercise the power of supervision over local government units, it was within his power to ensure that these officials perform in accordance with their functions.

Section 14 of the Climate Change Act, RA 9729, as amended, provides that:

“The LGUs shall be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the Framework, and the National Climate Change Action Plan.”

“Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing climate change issues and in identifying and implementing best practices and other solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider climate change adaptation, as one of their regular functions. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city climate change action plans. Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of climate-related activities.”

The President should now require the Local Government Secretary, as his alter ego to investigate LGUs which are not implementing our long-languishing environmental laws. Accountability is the key to exacting compliance with our laws, especially from local officials who seem to think that the enforcement of laws is discretionary on their part. As disastrous impacts of several calamities have shown us, complacency can lead to death, destruction and displacement.

We have to act now, as there will be more Yolandas in the future. Hold negligent public officials accountable and do your share in protecting our people and our environment.

Tomorrow might be too late.