Group urges action vs global warming

MANILA, Philippines - The Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) is calling on the government and the private sector to mitigate the effects of global warming.

“No, I’m not just talking creating a commission or mapping out plans,” ESP president Antonio M. Claparols said. “We need to take real action on the ground, we must take the initiative.”

He noted that scientists all over the world have already identified the problems and have offered solutions to help mitigate climate change.

“It is now up to us to do what is needed to be done and not just talk about it,” he said. “We need to reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, we need to enhance biodiversity and increase our carbon sinks, we need to build on the growing public desire for governments to act on climate change and we need to reduce inertia in social and economic systems.”

Many scientists believe that fossil fuel emissions such as methane and carbon dioxide which end up in the earth’s atmosphere, contribute heavily to the rise of global temperature. Compounding the problem is the continuous devastation of rainforests which serves as catch basins that help rid the atmosphere of poisonous gases.

Among the actions Claparols is suggesting is the wide use of clean and renewable energy, advancement of organic farming and protection of the country’s remaining forests.

“Renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuel and, more importantly, it helps abate the effects of global warming,” he said.