Celebrate Christmas sustainably by cutting back on plastic wastes

Christmas season produces the biggest volume of garbage in the country, especially with the Filipino practice of gift giving, having special family meals, Christmas parties, and various holiday events. According to a report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Philippines is the fourth largest generator of solid waste among ASEAN countries, with 14.66 …

Strengthen collaboration to ensure efficient delivery of service to communities hit by crises

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development acknowledges that the world is out of balance and integrated and systemic approaches are needed. Such approaches shall address the ‘intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet and need to be built on the conviction that everything in the world is connected’. Solidarity is viewed …

La Niña expected to continue through 2021

La Niña further strengthened during the last quarter of this year and shall likely to continue through the early months of the following year, bringing above normal rainfall conditions that could lead to adverse impacts across most areas in the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). In an online …

Re-imagining Human Mobility

Environmental changes and natural disasters have played a role in how the population is distributed on the planet throughout history. However, undesirable environmental changes directly created or amplified by climate change extensively changed the patterns of human settlement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted that climate change led to dramatic increase in human …

Paris Agreement 5th Anniversary

During the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris on 12 December 2015, 195 nations, including the Philippines, reached a landmark agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. The Paris Agreement, …

2020 is one of the warmest years ever recorded

The global warming advances this year, making 2020 one of the warmest years ever recorded. According to the 2020 provisional State of the Global Climate report by the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the year 2020 is set to be one of the three warmest years on record with the average global temperature about 1.2C …

Together we can through volunteering

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos volunteer their time and skills to help make the world a better place by improving the lives of the people and the environment. The Philippines ranked 9th out of 125 countries with the highest number of people volunteering their time in proportion to its population, based on the …

Declaration of Climate Emergency

The Philippine government continues to put in place measures and initiatives leaned towards the declaration of climate emergency, as a policy instrument to help the Philippines achieve its goals under the Paris Climate Agreement. The House Committee on Disaster Resilience adopted on Tuesday a resolution declaring a disaster and climate emergency. House Resolution No. 535, …

Greater protection of the environment from wars and armed conflicts

The damage to the environment in times of armed conflict impairs ecosystems and natural resources long beyond the period of conflict, and often extends beyond the limits of national territories and present generation. UN Millennium Declaration emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding nature for the sake of future generations and working for the protection of the …

Inclusive, sustainable and equitable mobility systems for cleaner air

Vehicular sources account for 65% of air pollution in the country, primarily in Metro Manila. Air pollution is also expected to increase given the projected 4.6% annual growth rate in energy demand. This demand is consistent with the projected increase of road vehicles to 24.8 million by 2030, compared to a baseline of 6.6 million …

Environmental Awareness

The National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 states that the promotion of national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation ecological balance towards sustained national development shall be done through environmental education. According to the law, environmental education shall encompass environmental concepts and principles, …

Correcting Historical Injustices for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Welfare

The number of indigenous people in the Philippines remains unknown, but it is estimated to be between 10% to 20% of the 110 million national population. Mostly subsistence farmers, herders, fishers, and hunters, the IPs have millennia of collective knowledge about the ecology of the surroundings. With such knowledge and experience, even tiny changes in …

Strengthen forest conservation worldwide to address climate change, protect wildlife

Forests cover one third of the planet’s land mass, with 1.6 billion people depend on it for their food, shelter, livelihood and medicine, among others. Wildfire breakouts were recorded in various areas around the world, including in Victoria and New South Wales in Australia, California and Colorado in USA, and even in the Amazon rainforests …

Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future.

In recent decades, the world has made significant progress in improving agricultural productivity. Yet, the food systems are still out of balance. Hunger, obesity, environmental degradation, loss of agro-biological diversity, food loss and waste and a lack of security for food chain workers are only some of the issues that underlie this imbalance. According to …

E-wastes

E-waste are described as discarded electrical or electronic devices. Globally, the quantum of e-waste generated annually is rising at an unprecedented rate. Various factors including increasing consumerism, rapid technological innovations, digitalization and growing population are some of the reasons that have led to this unparalleled growth. However, a report expressed concerns that recycling activities are …

Rainforests

Given the rapid acceleration of climate change and human impacts, rainforests around the world are facing unprecedented threats towards biodiversity, carbon capture, and climate stabilization. Although rainforests only take up 6% of the Earth’s surface, these are some of the most vital ecosystems on the planet. Home to over half of the world’s plant and …

Housing For All: A Better Urban Future

Achieving sustainable development and green recovery simultaneously while providing shelter and basic amenities and improving the conditions of every human settlement is important. The pandemic has created an awareness that cities and local governments around the world can move towards eliminating inequalities and poverty levels and providing access to basic amenities like shelter, food, and …

Energy Efficiency

The coverage of existing energy conservation policies must be broaden to attain energy efficiency roadmap goals, adding that the energy should not only be produced and used in a manner that will promote sustainable development, but at the same time, it must contribute to the country’s overall economic competitiveness and minimize negative impacts to the …

Proper management and disposal of various plastic wastes generated during the pandemic

Amid understandable concern over health and hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in marine pollution rises due to the global increase in the use of single-use masks, latex gloves, personal protective equipment (PPE), alcohol and hand sanitizer bottles, and disposable wipes and cleaning agents, as well as single-use plastic bags, containers, and utensils from …

Tourism and Rural Development amidst the Pandemic

For countless rural communities around our country, tourism is a leading provider of employment and opportunities, most notably for women and youth. Tourism also enables rural communities to hold onto their unique cultural heritage and traditions, and the sector is vital for safeguarding habitat and endangered species. As the ultimate cross-cutting sector, tourism contributes directly …

Environmental Health: A Key Public Health Intervention in Disease Pandemic Prevention

Nearly one in four deaths across the globe are due to environmental factors. Every year, an estimated 12.6 million people die as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment. Environmental risk factors, such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, ultraviolet radiation, and climate change contribute to more than 100 diseases …

Gender, Climate, and Security

The UN addresses the link between gender, climate, and security, particularly in communities affected by climate change and conflict, to mitigate risks of climate change and violence, and support the building of resilient, inclusive and peaceful societies. A collaborative report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the …

Zero Emissions: Give our planet one day off a year

The Philippines heavily relies on fossil fuel imports, which account for almost half of the total primary energy supply. Power generation and transport represents the largest shares of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. Electricity derived from fossil fuels is the biggest contributor to carbon emissions. The amount of energy consumed by modern society …

Going frugal and Eco-friendly in the new normal

Embrace the green movement by switching to frugal and Eco-friendly lifestyle as we live in the new normal. This might seem contradictory, as many people assume that going green means spending more. People tend to avoid green options because of their busy schedules. But environmentalism does not only limit to protecting natural resources, reducing pollution, …

Let’s protect the Pangolins!

The Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis), known locally as balintong, mostly found on the Palawan faunal region, has the most restricted range among the eight pangolin species, with a decreasing population trend. The species has been considered protected and prohibited from any form of hunting, possession or trade in the Philippines since 2004. In December 2019, …

Bamboo now

Bamboo is a nature-based solution for poverty alleviation, environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Bamboos sequester more carbon (400%) per unit area and give off 35% more oxygen than trees. It also produce a huge amount of biomass, absorb heavy metals, conserve water, restore degraded lands and stabilize soils against erosion, and achieve Sustainable Development …

Ozone for Life

The ‘ozone layer’ is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere above the earth’s surface. It covers and protects the entire planet by absorbing harmful Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun. It was discovered in the late 1970s that humanity was creating a hole in the ozone …

Teachers: leading in crisis, re-imagining the future

We honor the country’s Filipino teachers and educators and their contribution in building resilience and shaping the future of education, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning. We take stock of the achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global …

Health, Safety, and Sanitation

As most of the industries and businesses resume operations, the public are reminded to remain vigilant and integrate the prescribed health, safety, and sanitation protocols and proper waste management into the operations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of the people, Even before the pandemic, it has always been imperative for …

Masks, PPEs as litter wastes

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a heightened awareness to the critical issue of littered personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves, on the ground and in waterways. The national and local authorities and the general public to effectively implement the RA 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 that intends …

Frontliners as heroes

In observance of the National Heroes’ Day this August 31, we pay homage not only to the heroes of the past but also to the unsung heroes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic — our frontliners, who are laying down their lives and deserved to be acknowledged for their bravery and relentless service during these unprecedented times. …

House bills on planting trees

The House of Representatives’ recently approved the two bills on final reading – the House Bill No. 6930 or the “Family Tree Planting Act”, and the House Bill No. 6931 or the “Graduation Legacy for Reforestation Act”, which seeks to require individuals to plant a tree for every childbirth and graduation from senior high school …

Plant-based diet vs climate change

Climate change poses a threat to the security of our food supply. Rising temperatures, increased rain and more extreme weather events will all have an impact on crops and livestock. But food production also contributes to global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land states that an …

Sustainable lifestyle thru backyard gardening, waste segregation

Sustainability within households and communities must be promoted through backyard gardening, waste segregation, recycling, and upcycling, to ensure food availability and supply at home and address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystems functions. Urban gardening is one way to secure and ensure a steady supply of safe and nutritious food even in the most challenging …

Proper management and disposal of single-use masks and PPEs

The COVID-19 pandemic sparks a surge in marine pollution due to the global increase in use of single-use masks, latex gloves, personal protective equipment (PPE), including alcohol and hand sanitizer bottles. In the years leading up to the pandemic, the experts had warned of the threat posed to oceans and marine life by plummeting plastic …

Embed sustainable recovery in the tourism industry

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in the tourism industry, the public, businesses and industries must rethink their sustainability and adaptation plans and strategies, and rebuild with an environmentally-friendly approach to stimulate the recovery of the tourism sector. The year 2020 has been the most challenging year to date for the majority of the …

Klima Film Festival

Mga kabataang Pinoy! Meron ba kayong maipapakitang husay at galing sa paggawa ng pelikula? Gusto nyo bang magbigay-inspirasyon sa mas marami pang kabataan? Inihahandog sa inyo ng Climate Change Commission at Oscar M. Lopez Center ang Klima Film Festival o KFF! Layunin ng KFF na ipaalam ang suliranin at mga solusyon ng climate change sa …

Bicycle 🚲

This is in recognition of the importance of bicycles as a sustainable and healthy way to commute. Being around for more than 200 years, only recently did it get the global recognition it deserves. Out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), 12 directly connect with the importance of bicycles and four of them …

The era of new normal

After 2 months of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), most of the areas in the Philippines have shifted to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), meanwhile, NCR and other areas are now under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). With the final guidelines, the same quarantine restrictions are being applied, but slight changes were made as most of the …

Turtle food market

Turtles are important creatures of seas and oceans that play a vital role in maintaining the health of flora and the coral reefs of the marine ecosystem. Sea turtles are also helpful in adequately balancing the marine food web. Tortoises are among the animals with the longest lifespan. They help preserve our oceans' natural productivity. …

Climate change and wildfires

Last February, a wildfire started to break out in the forest in Kabayan, Benguet and continued to spread over other parts of Cordillera Mountains, including parts of Mt. Pulag, the highest mountain in Luzon. With these fires, Mt. Pulag is temporarily closed to climbers and trekkers.  Meanwhile, this April, forest fires were recorded in unprotected …

Sustainable Tuna Fishing

Most of the countries depend on tuna fish for food safety and nutrition, economic growth, employment, and livelihoods as it is used in many countries around the world. The Philippines is the world’s third largest tuna producer, with almost half of its seafood exports come from yellowfin, skipjack, and frigate tuna which produces appetizing products …

The youth as drivers of climate action

Whether through educational, awareness-raising, behavioral change campaigns, technology, science or law ─ the youth are tapping into their skills to speak up for climate action. On top of the usual adolescent pressures — grades, socialization, etc. — the youth are confronting a world that may be unrecognizable by the time they grow up. As stated …

The role of media in tackling crisis – COVID-19, climate change

The media are working round-the-clock and keeping the public informed on the latest developments and vital information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while risking their lives in the process. Just like the doctors and nurses, they are also considered to be on the frontlines of this global pandemic. When most people have to stay home due …

Water conservation in anticipation of summer season

Water is an important resource this time, not only because of the summer season, but water is severely used for sanitation purposes and prevention of spreading of the COVID-19 virus. We use water for constantly washing our hands, for disinfecting our spaces, for cleaning-up our communities. But as the water demand increases, the available water …

Bayanihan to Heal as One Act

Following the declaration of State of Calamity throughout the Philippines, imposing of Enhanced Community Quarantine throughout Luzon and raising the COVID-19 to Code Red Sublevel 2, the RA11469 was enacted, declaring a state of national emergency over the entire country and granting the President with powers to immediately be able to implement measures to effectively …

COVID-19 and the PH’s NDC submission: delivering climate justice

The spread of COVID-19 across the world has seen countries go into lockdown to limit the casualties attributable to the virus. Due to tougher travel restrictions implemented, international climate negotiations that require diplomats and experts from all over the world to participate are also affected, forcing most of the meetings to be postponed.  The United …

Limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C

According to 2019 Statement on the State of the Global Climate, the year 2019 ended with a global average temperature of 1.1 °C above estimated pre-industrial averages, second only to the record set in 2016. Without the role of El Niño in the warming increase observed in 2016, 2019 would have been a record year. …

Will coronavirus slow down climate action?

The COVID-19 has much taken over the world. In just a few short months, most of the regions have locked down. The government has to implement the enhanced community quarantine on the entire Luzon. Everyone is strictly enforced to stay at home and practice social distancing. Curfew is imposed, only one person in every household …

Climate change and biodiversity loss

The earth’s biodiversity is dependent on the climate. But anthropogenic actions resulting in changes in climate cause a major global threat to biodiversity and natural ecosystems. The various elements of climate change affect all levels of biodiversity, and its impacts are expected to increase over the next century, resulting in biodiversity loss. The Convention of …

Plastikada

Ngayong buwan ay inimplement na ang pagbabawal ng paggamit ng single-use plastic sa aming opisina. Samantala, noong nakaraang buwan naman ay dumalo ako sa screening ng "The Story of Plastic" sa UP Diliman, kung saan tinalakay ang pinagmulan at patutunguhan ng mga plastik. Parang kahit saan may plastik. Kahit yung panghilamos mo sa mukha, may …

Mga Kwento ng Klima

Mga Kwento ng Klima tells the story of climate in the context of the Filipino experience and how it has shaped the Filipino identity and culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_AWtNYo2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPByMtXE9g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCm51XouVU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZadk60VlFQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hybnq2yfncE Ipinalabas na to sa Sunday's Best noong November 24, sana ay napanood nyo. Noong November 22 naman ay naimbitahan kami para sa pre-screening neto. …