CLIMATE CHANGES, CONFLICTS, AND IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES

A Summary of the lecture on Climate Change and Conflict: Peace-building and Development Strategies
Soriano-Velasco Room, 3F Asian Institute of Management April 29, 2008

Written by: KAYZER ALDRIN Z. SABA Environmental Crises warn the people of possible devastation. The world faces the challenges of environment which resulted from the misdoings of passive individuals who continue to destroy the ecosystem. Reports on deforestation, deaths of endangered species, global warming, sea-level rise, diseases, and famine have been broadcasted by the media since the beginning of the 21st Century. It is horrifying that many still do not care about the predicted extinction of human beings, and abusive use of resources still dominates the world. The environment is where people rely on for their everyday living; its continuous destruction brings a lot of side-effects to the populace; such effects destroy the physical resources and from these ruins the problems in peace and stability of the people originate, an example would be the conflicts resulting from climate changes. The Philippines is known as a tropical country near the equator, a reason for the kind of weather the country experiences throughout the year; however, the present situation of the country is alarming; during summer days the people suffer from hotness beyond normal temperature that the Philippines used to experience; a lot of rains and tropical storms often visit the country throughout the year [including occasional rains during summer] yet the temperature remains as hot as it is when there is no rain. The worsening situation of the climate and temperature is caused by the peoples negligence which started a long time ago. The unpredictable changes in temperature, weather, and climate result to the irregular planting of crops, scarcity in food supply, and increase in prices of crops and import of crops abroad where the supply has a surplus;1 this setting leads to conflicts between different sectors fighting for their own interests and benefits. Climate and other changes in the environment destroy [or if not contribute to the destruction] of peace and stability in the Philippines. The Philippines is a developing country and its economy is a primary concern by its people; difference in views and interests give way to conflicts which in reality and ideally shall be set aside first. Unfortunately, the focus of the government and the people shift to the conflict1

A Climate of Conflict: Why the Philippines Should be Concerned, Asian Institute of Management Policy Center & Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, handout given on April 29, 2008

solving proposals from economic because conflicts never cease. For example, the case of the hazards brought about by industrial projects like mining, which affects the economy, the population and the environment; environmentalists and geographers have the perception that more efficient and defined projects for the environment should be promulgated by the government and the environment should be the primary consideration than the interest of other sectors; the ethno-linguistic groups want their lands to be untapped by investors and outsiders; the business sector continue their projects and such are said to be contributors for the betterment of Philippine economy; the youth sector remains idealistic and wants a balanced promotion of the interest of every sector.2 Conflicts will never cease in the Philippines and solution to the climate changes and peril of a sea-level rise will be difficult to define. There are different interests that are irreconcilable and a balanced promotion [like what some juveniles desire] will remain an ideal but not practiced. As aforementioned, the government itself has a priority, and if it is not the strengthening of the armed forces, other priorities will include the economic reforms; however, the environmental condition like the climate change can lead to a worse destruction that will also have a large effect on the military and the economic affairs. The case of environmental protection to avoid further damages caused by conflicts, and as shown by reports, also affects the economy if not solved, yet it is not a primary priority. In the Philippine setting, more budgets are allotted for weapons and rehabilitation of soldiers, public works, and travel for foreign diplomacy rather than projects for the environment. Other countries in the world visibly prioritize economic and diplomacy as well more than solutions for the environmental perils. It is unfortunate that the case already worsened before the people became aware of the situation and the media people started to air environmental awareness campaigns to warn. The critical situation of the global-warming and the climate changes have started prior to 2007 when it became phenomenal; however, if not for the initiative of former U.S. VicePresident Al Gore, in his documentary entitled An Inconvenient Truth, many will still be clueless regarding the danger that is about to come if no action will be done.3 The people lack the
2

During the forum about Climate Change and Conflict: Peace-building and Development Strategies held at the Asian Institute of Management on April 29, 2008, the case of mining was set as an example and resulted to an argument from different sectors. A juvenile from the Visayas asked about the stoppage of mining in some areas in Mindanao because of its hazard to the people and the environment; Dr. Michael Clancy of the Philippine Business Leaders Forum repeatedly warned the audience that people would go back to the Stone Age as an implication of the proposed abolition of mining. Dr. JR Nereus O. Acosta, a professor of the Ateneo de Manila and a former politician, argued that reforms in mining and its abolition do not necessarily imply a return to the Stone Age. 3 Going Green: what it means for you and business, record of the meeting of the Philippine Business Leaders Forum, Cameron Forbes Room of the Manila Polo Club, 24 April 2008.

initiative to move for prevention of environmental obliteration, which is inevitable because of the lack of awareness and motivation. The state of environmental problem in the Philippines like the Climate Changes is alarming. Living Things, especially human beings, suffer from conflicts, starvation, unstable economic condition, and environmental threats [like global warming and pollution]. The government and the citizens must work together to avoid further damages; awareness campaigns should be started and implementation of written laws should be regularly monitored. It is not practical to wait for another Al Gore to expose the possible situation in the future; humans should start moving to change or to improve the environmental condition of mother earth. Every sector will be affected if the environment will be ruined. Nothing will be grater than living in an environment without threats of devastation.

Proposed Legislations: CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

Climate Change threatens the countrys economic condition, source of food and materials, and peace. Climate Change also ahs future effects on the environment which can possibly destroy mankind and all forms of living things. Climate Change is a serious threat to the country; the government and the people shall work together to cease its [climate change] future consequences. The government shall start its movement for Climate Change by initializing free awareness campaigns to different people. The Local Government shall be responsible for conducting campaigns per barangay and for distributing paraphernalia which will reveal the hazards of climate change and other environmental problems [like global warming]. The National Government shall be responsible for choosing the lecturers and speakers who have broad knowledge on environmental awareness. The first step to a program is to make the people aware about the problem to motivate them to move. Not all people go to school and not all educational institutions impart sufficient knowledge on environmental problems like climate change; an awareness campaign will be a good contribution and step of the government to mobilize people to move and join campaigns by the government itself and other organizations. THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN INFORMATION DISSEMINATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND PROGRAMS People who have environmental concerns and have concern and the initiative to join government projects are scattered across the Philippine Archipelago. If the government offers different awareness campaigns and programs, and it will be conducted per barangay, many will be interested to participate. In order to convene the majority of the people, information should be properly disseminated. The government shall establish an agreement with different media companies to advertise the campaigns during the air time of different programs in order for the public to be aware. Campaign Advertisements regarding the environment shall also continue to be aired by different TV Stations [like what may are doing at present] to strengthen the awareness of the people and to encourage more participation in the projects of the government. The media, in return, will be granted advertisement during government affairs. The station shall be recognized during speeches regarding the free awareness campaigns and other programs; display of Posters and Company Logos in different government offices and branches [like in the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Education] or in the ads regarding the free awareness campaign and other programs shall also be granted as privilege to media companies.

STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMIC REFORMS ON CLIMATE HOTSPOTS AND POOREST REGIONS

Climate Changes affect the entire Philippines, but certain spots are more affected because of its location and the situation of the ecosystem in the areas. According the lecture of Prof. Garcia on Climate Change held at the Asian Institute of Management, the Climate Hotspots encompass Sulu, ARMM, Eastern Visayas, Samar, Sorsogon, and Bicol; these regions are said to be the most vulnerable to climate change resulting to greater poverty incidence in the areas. The eradication of the climate change problems is impossible at present because of the worsening situation of the government. While the campaigns are still ongoing [some will be started], the government shall promote economic reforms on the hotspots such as offering alternatives to crops which are seasonal, loans and cooperatives, and offering of cheaper transportation costs to harvested goods. Such projects will aid the people in their agricultural needs especially that their regions are having hard time to cope with the effects of climate changes. Related Legislations: PROMOTING AND STRENGTHENING THE RESEARCH ON ENERGY FROM GARBAGE AS POTENTIAL SOURCE OF ENERGY AND FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT The Payatas Officials have started the research on Energy from the wastes dumped in their area. It was stated by a scientist that the Payatas is a potential source of energy which can supply electricity to a limited area. If all dumpsites will start the refurbishing of the community, and begin the research on potential source of energy like the Payatas Community, the Philippines can save on energy and produce advancement on Scientific Research. Energy is one of the most important resources and if it will be successful, it will benefit the people and the economy of the Philippines as well. It will also contribute to the betterment of the environment and will lessen the pollution and spread of hazardous chemicals from garbage which greatly affect the environment. The Philippines is suffering from different crises in the environment, and the initiation to move must be started by the government and its people altogether. BARANGAY WASTE COLLECTION This act will make collection more efficient; it will avoid spread of foul odor and harmful insects which usually cause diseases such as dengue and malaria. Usually collection is done per city and region; inevitable instances occur wherein wastes are collected late and are dumped in a specific area for a long time. Barangay Waste Collection should be done for a more efficient collection of waste to avoid further problems especially in health and pollution.

OTHER PROPOSALS CITED IN THE LECTURES OF THE SPEAKERS: Reduction of the use of Green House Gasses

 Strengthening the use of Renewable Resources Strengthening the use of Biofuels Dialogue led by the Local Government and Institutions Series of Workshops & Gatherings Release of a Publication More effective collaboration between the government and the people Prioritize the saving of Mindanao lakes, bio-diverse lakes Strengthening the opportunity of Peace-Building in Mindanao Long-term environmental projects Strengthening the policy against cyanide fishing, dynamite fishing, and commercial fishing Prioritize rehabilitation and maintenance of coral reefs

*The lecturers are Dr. JR Nereus Acosta, Prof. Edmundo G. Garcia, Ms. Karen Rebecca Tanada, Mr. Joyce O. Palacol, Prof. Nieves R. Confesor, and Dr. Michael Clancy. Other information on the proposed bills are from the authors Geography classes and interview to Ms. Donna Rebong of UP Haring-Ibon Organization*