Gov. Emilio Macias II has tapped the education sector to spearhead efforts to combat climate change in Negros Oriental.

Macias has named Silliman University president Dr. Ben Malayang III, Foundation University Board of Trustees chair Victor Vicente Sinco, Negros Oriental State University president Dr. Henry Sojor and St. Paul University of Dumaguete president Sister Nilda Masirag as council directors.

Other members are Vice Gov. Jose Baldado, co-chair, Bayawan City Mayor German Sarana, executive director, and former environment secretary Dr. Angel Alcala.

Macias said that while greenhouse gas emissions of the Philippines do not even come out to one percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, “we can help in the international effort to reduce greenhouse gases.”

“The Kyoto protocol says that countries which have high greenhouse gas emissions may buy carbon credits from other countries to offset their emissions,” Macias said.

Buying carbon credits could mean funding projects like reforestation or planting mangroves, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, he explained.

As an offshoot of the Kyoto protocol, Macias said many developed countries are eyeing projects in the Philippines for their carbon credits. “Countries from Europe are looking our way, as they have high emissions. Taiwan has also been talking to some people in the Philippines ,” he said.

The climate change council in Negros will be working with the Negros Island Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development, or NISARD.

Macias said this group has a good connection with Australia because one of the NISARD board members in Negros Occidental is an Australian.

Negros Occidental will also be setting up its own climate change council which will be the basis for the formation of the Negros Island Climate Change Council.

Macias said they are inviting Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco to attend their March 28 meeting so they will be updated of what Negros Oriental is doing in this direction.*AP

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