Environment on my mind (Sabong News)
Author
Johannes Chua
Date
APRIL 01 2022
It is quite disheartening to observe that political discourse in our country has not matured well. In fact, some have said that it degenerated because of the free-flowing space on social media (something like an open bar filled with liquor). Debates or interviews done by media outlets are plenty but due to limited time, a lot of questions are asked just to garner “sound bites” or to pander to the gossip-inclined audience. Ultimately, the reality is similar to an election — television/ social media ratings are a numbers game, and whoever garners the biggest audience is the ultimate winner.
As Environment Section editor of this paper, I have received several emails from various organizations calling on our presidentiables to look into the issues about the environment. They lament the fact that among the 10 presidentiables, no one has presented an encompassing environment agenda. What’s ironic is that the “green” agenda is pushed to the sidelines when, in fact, that could be a very relevant and strong platform to stand on considering what’s happening to our planet.
These environmental groups collectively agree that there are a lot of issues that the next president should look into such as security, peace and order, foreign policy, infrastructure, economic recovery, healthcare rehabilitation, etc. But what about environmental issues? What are the plans to combat climate change? Will open-pit mining be allowed? Will we still encourage the use of coal for energy? How about the protection of our endangered species? There are still a lot of questions unanswered when it comes to the green agenda.
Of course, the next president will have his or her own appointed DENR secretary but I believe that at this juncture, when it is only 40 days before the elections, voters must be fully informed about a candidate’s agenda for the planet. Yes, this may not be a “sexy” pronouncement or may not even gain traction online or covered by the media, nevertheless the effects of a misguided environmental policy will not only see its dire impact on our lives today, but more so for the coming generations.
One of the emails I got came from Nazrin Castro, Philippine branch manager of The Climate Reality Project with an introductory subject calling on “the next set of leaders to put an end to policies that favor fossil fuel companies, specifically provisions that allow them to pass the higher costs on to the Filipino people.” This, I know, is a sensitive issue – but this is precisely what the next president will face as he or she needs to decide whether to favor the former or to side with the latter. Or will there be compromises?
“For The Climate Reality Project Philippines, our (country’s) just transition to a distributed, flexible, renewable energy-based system is our best solution to address our energy issues on reliability, affordability, and security. (The next administration) must enable the environment to advance renewable energy in the country, starting with ending policies that only favor the fossil fuel companies,” Castro said.
“Many companies and governments are already divesting from coal, but fossil gas is posturing to be the new coal. Its expansion must be reviewed in order to avoid lock-in commitments and prevent ourselves from entering into situations like we have with coal. Ultimately, investments in renewable energy technologies must pour in and our grid must be upgraded and modernized to facilitate the just transition to renewable energy.”
I also received an email from Plastic-Free Pilipinas Project-EcoWaste Coalition, urging local and national candidates to prioritize the green agenda in their electoral platform.
“With more than 60 million young voters, we wish to ‘swing the vote’ toward a green and sustainable future without incineration, without plastic pollution, and without the climate crisis,” said Jochelle Magracia of Young Bataenos for Environmental Advocacy Network (YBEAN). “We clamor for systems change, especially the promotion of a green development paradigm. Economic growth can no longer be at the expense of the environment, but rather the economy must be directed toward sustained progress that prioritizes planetary and people’s health.”
Meanwhile, green activist Derek Cabe of the Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement cautioned voters not to be distracted by the political fanfare. “Instead, we should look at the candidates’ records, positions, and platforms on human rights, democracy, the environment – their green agenda and how they address the persistent problems on plastic, dirty energy, and the likes.”
On the other hand, the EcoWaste Coalition noted the lack of a national policy or plan to complement the nearly 500 local ordinances on single-use plastics (SUP). While the House passed a SUP ban last August, the Senate has yet to follow suit. “They are quick fixes and false solutions that only address plastic pollution downstream,” the group said.
With all these statements from various groups who are passionate in saving this planet from further destruction and deterioration, it is a great injustice for the green agenda to be left out in the election campaign conversation. Though there are a lot of discouraging signs, I would like to be “optimistic” at this moment and join all these environmental organizations in sounding the alarm louder in order to reach the ears of each presidentiable.
It is not too late. Or is it?
Johannes L. Chua is the editor of the Environment and Sustainability section.
