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ACCORDING to climate experts, the La NiƱa phenomenon has arrived and will bring above-average rainfall. Are we prepared?
It is good that President Rodrigo Duterte has finally agreed to honor the Paris Agreement on Climate Change after his initial stubbornness. His change of mind is likewise timely. Just last month we marked the third anniversary of super typhoon āYolandaā which was one of the rallying points for a more ambitious Paris Agreement.
Now, the Climate Change Commission can strengthen efforts, particularly capacity-building programs to help local government units craft their local climate change action plans (LCCAP). We must continue to mobilize urgent climate action, plot a roadmap to resilience, and capacitate local governments in crafting their LCCAPs and in accessing the Peopleās Survival Fund.
After the Paris Agreementās ratification, we can be a strong voice in the world to fight for climate justice. The Philippines can lead vulnerable nations to compel developed countries to comply with their commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The Paris Agreement is a vehicle towards achieving climate justice as it compels developed nations that have polluted the world and caused this climate crisis to decarbonize economy-wide, as well as to raise $100 billion every year under the Green Climate Fund and provide developing and vulnerable nations needed support on capacity building and technology transfer for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
If we fully accept the Agreement, we can influence the decisions on how the accord will be implemented and we maintain our leadership role in the international climate talks and advocacy. Our ratification will send a strong signal of our continuing commitment to work with the rest of the world in ensuring the survival of this generation and the generations to come, and the ability of the Earth to sustain life.
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