‘Small acts of courage’: Groups urge Congress to sign climate measure

September 13, 2024 , 07:28 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(September 13, 2024) – Environmental advocates on Friday launched a nationwide signature campaign to push for the historic signing of a measure to hold corporations accountable for their contributions to the worsening climate crisis.

Led by Greenpeace Philippines, environmental groups sought to collect at least 70,000 signatures to bolster the call for the passing of House Bill No. 9609 or the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Act.

“The figure of 70,000 commemorates the estimated number of people who have died due to countless floods, landslides, and cyclones since 1990,” said Greenpeace Philippines senior campaigner Virginia Benosa-Llorin in a media release. “Not only are disasters increasing, they’re getting more and more destructive because of climate change.”

The CLIMA Act seeks to urge the government to recognize the climate responsibility of “carbon majors,” referring to oil, coal, and gas companies responsible for the largest carbon emissions worldwide. It also provides mechanisms for reparations to victims.

Once signed into law, it will be the first in Southeast Asia.

“This signature campaign is meant to bolster courage by giving the ordinary Filipino a means to truly do something about the climate crisis: With enough small acts of courage, we’ll be able to achieve something big,” added Benosa-Llorin.

According to the 2024 World Risk Index, the Philippines remained the most vulnerable nation to natural disasters, conflicts, wars, and pandemics for the third consecutive year.

ALSO READ: Government admits gaps after Philippines tops global risk index for third straight year

The Philippines is also among the biggest culprits of plastic pollution, with repeated calls to ban single-use plastics still falling on deaf ears.

Pres. Bongbong Marcos stressed that the country will have significant influence in addressing climate change after being elected as host of the Loss and Damage Fund Board, saying the most vulnerable nations will be heard.

ALSO READ: ICJ to hear state obligations of Philippines, other countries to mitigate climate change

He, however, has been repeatedly called out by environmental groups for merely providing “lip service” instead of concrete solutions to mitigate the troubling effects of climate change.

“It’s time we keep these corporations in check amid climate change,” said Benosa-Llorin. “We deserve a sustainable, fear-free future for the Philippines.”

(PM)

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