THE Climate Reality Project is willing to sit down with the government to discuss the comprehensiveness of the Philippine climate position and the Paris Agreement.
“With the president's seemingly constant view on fairness, there is a need for him to deeply understand our fight for loss and damage vis-à-vis our carbon emissions cap commitment,” Climate Change Project Philippine manager Rodne Galicha said.
Galicha is advocating for countries like the Philippines to collectively commit to reduce carbon emissions in light of their national circumstances without compromising the ability of future generations to survive.
“While President Duterte recognizes the reality of climate change, he may need to understand the context of the processes of the climate talks and our nationally determined contribution in the light of common but differentiated responsibility. Hence, the president as chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, we hope that he will be able to convene the whole commission together with the National Panel of Technical Experts, if necessary, to finally address his concerns and issues,” Galicha added.
Climate change has also affected the migration of lowland insects and reptiles, which can be experienced in the Cordillera region according to Galicha.
“Lowland insects and reptiles exposed to extreme heat may start to move upland which may affect natural cycles of animals even of plants,” Galicha added.
Climate change for the region may mean the altering of cropping seasons as well as production outputs, which will affect economy and lifestyle.
The Climate Reality Project was founded by Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore and recently trained 500 new climate change leaders in the country to advocate for a cleaner earth.
“We cannot afford to commit the same mistakes by developed countries responsible to huge emissions. If we do, our country becomes an accomplice to future deaths and destructions of the coming more powerful Yolandas,” Galicha said.