MANILA -- Filipinos have been urged to contribute to efforts in lessening greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing overall carbon footprint in light of a report that ranks the Philippines as one of the countries most affected by climate change in the past 20 years.
The 2013 Global Climate Risk Index released by non-government Germanwatch ranked the Philippines fourth among more than 190 countries surveyed as Senator Loren Legarda noted that the "damage of irresponsible development models and large-scale environmental destruction has not yet been reversed."
Legarda, chair of the committee on climate change, said the country can increase preparedness especially if local government units would implement laws such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the Climate Change Act, and by using the People's Survival Fund.
Business communities, on the other hand, should be encouraged to invest in clean new technologies, adopt energy efficiency measures and re-engineer corporate social responsibility to reflect business sustainability through building disaster-resilient local communities.
"Even we, in our own homes, can strive for sustainable means of living through recycling, composting, and lessening our use of non-renewable resources,” she said.
Legarda added that the media should highlight that changing climate can undo years of development gains and that unsound and short-sighted development practices play a significant role in worsening disaster risks.
She cited World Bank’s estimate that for every dollar invested in disaster reduction measures saves seven to ten dollars in losses from natural hazards.
“We will never tire of reiterating our call for heightened action on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation because we have to free ourselves from the exhausting and costly cycle of rebuilding our communities every single time a natural hazard occurs,” Legarda said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)