MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III should commit to increase renewable energy use in the country to 50 percent by 2020, Greenpeace said in a news release.
The challenge was made after thousands of people around the planet joined the 10-10-10 Global Work Party, and served as a follow-up to Aquino’s proclamation during the 43rd Asean Day celebrations that the Philippines will be the renewable energy champion in southeast Asia.
“Filipinos all over the country are demanding an energy revolution and we believe that P.Noy can lead the way. The Philippines can blaze the trail for the rest of developing Asia by signing on to a Philippine energy revolution roadmap with a commitment to increase RE in the country’s energy mix to 50 percent by 2020,” said Amalie Obusan, Climate and Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
“The clock is ticking while world leaders argue with each other on who should be making concrete carbon reduction commitments first. If the Philippines, one of the countries most vulnerable and least prepared to deal with climate change, is first to make a solid commitment, this sends out a very strong, urgent message to world leaders that they should be getting their acts together quickly. President Aquino should be the man to send such a message.” Obusan added.
For Filipinos, dealing with climate change impacts is not a matter of theory, but already a challenge in their daily lives.
Climate impacts, such as extreme weather events, are already affecting the entire country. Even centers of development, such as Metro Manila, are not spared, as evidenced by the toll that typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) took on lives and property a year ago. From highly urbanized Metro Manila, to remote provinces in Mindanao, and even the country’s top tourist destination, Boracay Island, climate impacts are sending people reeling.
“We are joining this movement not just to learn and adopt practical ways to reduce our own carbon footprints, but to send the message to world leaders that we need a bigger, more concerted effort, so that those of us in places like the Philippines can keep on living,” said Marlo Schoenenberger of Boracay Yuppies, an environment and community service organization of young professionals based in Boracay, Aklan.
The 10-10-10 Global Work Party—initiated by 350.org and organized by Greenpeace and Tcktcktck in cooperation with hundreds of organizations around the world—was the largest day of carbon-cutting action in the planet’s history. Over 6,000 events were held in 187 countries.
Filipinos joined activities organized by Greenpeace partners in several cities around Metro Manila, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros, and in the island of Boracay. Climate change forums, energy revolution road-shows and exhibits, watershed and mangrove rehabilitation, bike rides, and other public engagement activities were held hand-in-hand with practical energy efficiency adaptation measures.
Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International executive director based in Amsterdam, said: “The Global Work Party is a challenge to our politicians for real climate action, not just talk. Citizens in almost every country are pulling up their sleeves to make the Energy Revolution a reality. The demand to our political leaders couldn’t be clearer: ‘We are acting on climate, it’s time for politicians to do the same.’”
The challenge was made after thousands of people around the planet joined the 10-10-10 Global Work Party, and served as a follow-up to Aquino’s proclamation during the 43rd Asean Day celebrations that the Philippines will be the renewable energy champion in southeast Asia.
“Filipinos all over the country are demanding an energy revolution and we believe that P.Noy can lead the way. The Philippines can blaze the trail for the rest of developing Asia by signing on to a Philippine energy revolution roadmap with a commitment to increase RE in the country’s energy mix to 50 percent by 2020,” said Amalie Obusan, Climate and Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
“The clock is ticking while world leaders argue with each other on who should be making concrete carbon reduction commitments first. If the Philippines, one of the countries most vulnerable and least prepared to deal with climate change, is first to make a solid commitment, this sends out a very strong, urgent message to world leaders that they should be getting their acts together quickly. President Aquino should be the man to send such a message.” Obusan added.
For Filipinos, dealing with climate change impacts is not a matter of theory, but already a challenge in their daily lives.
Climate impacts, such as extreme weather events, are already affecting the entire country. Even centers of development, such as Metro Manila, are not spared, as evidenced by the toll that typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) took on lives and property a year ago. From highly urbanized Metro Manila, to remote provinces in Mindanao, and even the country’s top tourist destination, Boracay Island, climate impacts are sending people reeling.
“We are joining this movement not just to learn and adopt practical ways to reduce our own carbon footprints, but to send the message to world leaders that we need a bigger, more concerted effort, so that those of us in places like the Philippines can keep on living,” said Marlo Schoenenberger of Boracay Yuppies, an environment and community service organization of young professionals based in Boracay, Aklan.
The 10-10-10 Global Work Party—initiated by 350.org and organized by Greenpeace and Tcktcktck in cooperation with hundreds of organizations around the world—was the largest day of carbon-cutting action in the planet’s history. Over 6,000 events were held in 187 countries.
Filipinos joined activities organized by Greenpeace partners in several cities around Metro Manila, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros, and in the island of Boracay. Climate change forums, energy revolution road-shows and exhibits, watershed and mangrove rehabilitation, bike rides, and other public engagement activities were held hand-in-hand with practical energy efficiency adaptation measures.
Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International executive director based in Amsterdam, said: “The Global Work Party is a challenge to our politicians for real climate action, not just talk. Citizens in almost every country are pulling up their sleeves to make the Energy Revolution a reality. The demand to our political leaders couldn’t be clearer: ‘We are acting on climate, it’s time for politicians to do the same.’”
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