Environmentalists set 5-day fast vs. climate change

CEBU, Philippines - Environmental and civic groups will have a symbolic five-day "fasting for the climate" to send the message that all calamities that occurred were due to climate change.

 About 15 people from the Movement for Livable Cebu (MLC), Permaculture, Sanlakas Sugbo, National Youth Commission (NYC), Psychology Volunteer on Bikes, Philippine Earth Justice Council (PEJC), University College of Law and Homonhon Environment Rescuers Organization (HERO) and the office of Cebu Ctiy Councilor Nida Cabrera have committed to participate.

Cabrera heads the city council committee on environment.

The fasting would last on Friday, when the 19th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) climate summit in Warsaw Poland will also end.

The Philippines delegation to the summit is led by Climate Change Commissioner Naderev Sano.

 "We join him (Sano) and the Philippine delegation as we collectively fast for meaningful outcomes and urgent action from the climate talks. We call on every well-meaning Filipino and youth to forego some of their meals, fast at least until the completion of the talks and donate these foregone meals to the displaced survivors of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)," said Undersecretary Leon Flores III, NYC chairman.

 "We are fasting in solidarity with the Philippine delegation. Nothing religious and nothing spiritual, this is somewhat like a hunger strike of souls. We want to deliver the message, we are willing to sacrifice until the meaningful agreement is reach and action is undertaken by the conference of parties," he added.

 Flores is encouraging everyone to fast by just drinking liquids or eating only one meal a day within five days.

 PEJC executive director Gloria Ramos, however, said they are not expecting a big number of people to do join the fasting, saying "it is a personal decision and a commitment to do our share to fight climate change and to be part of the solution".

In a statement, Flores said they fast to "commiserate with our affected and displaced brothers and sisters and feel their hunger as well".

 "We heard and read nothing about climate change, which is basically the core of all these calamities and disasters. This is an issue on climate change," Flores said during a press briefing with various organizations yesterday.

 Ramos said everyone has the power to help mitigate the effects of climate change with best practices on solid waste management, complying with clean air act and sustainability council, the policy making body.

  Flores also said that everyone has the capacity to fight climate change by "adjusting our lifestyle, going green, buying local, preparing for disaster and engaging in sustainability behaviors".

"We support the delegation's call for increased funding for adaptation projects, mobilization of a green climate fund, and the setting up of a damage and loss compensation mechanism," he added.

 In line with this, environmental organizations are asking carbon emitters and developing countries like the Philippines to make significant actions to help save mother earth for future generations.

Further, Teody Navea of SanLakas Sugbo-Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) proposed that schools must also incorporate climate change subjects starting in grade school, considering that not all are knowledgeable about it.

 Edna Lee of the University of Philippines'  "Volunteers on Bike" agreed, saying "ignorante ang mga tawo about climate change so dapat there is information dissemination".

PMCJ would hold a funeral caravan today to "dramatize our message to the rich nations led by the United States for them to cut on greenhouse gases, the main contributing factor for climate change" said Navea.

 Prior to the caravan, which would start at 8 a.m. on V. Rama St. to the US Consular Office at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, a symbolic offering of candles and flowers for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda would be held.-/RHM (FREEMAN)