About 50 representatives from various sectors in Negros Occidental yesterday discussed local initiatives to help address the global problem on climate change.

The group, coming from the local government units, academe, and civil society and non-government organizations, gathered at a roundtable discussion on climate change issues dubbed “Building a United Front Against Global Warming” organized by the Visayas Network on Climate Change with support from the Province of Negros Occidental at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City.

Global warming is the increase in the earth’s mean temperature as a result of enhanced greenhouse effect, and it is one of the climate change-related hazards along with sea level rise and extreme events like flooding and landslide, strong typhoons and drought.

Prof. Rosario Wood of the Miriam College Peace Foundation, convenor of the Philippine Network on Climate Change, in her presentation noted that the Philippines has very little greenhouse gas emissions, but the country is vulnerable to global warming or climate change.

The Philippines is highly susceptible to ground movements, floodings and inundations, loss of biological resources, and illnesses as a tropical country.

It is experiencing trends of extreme climate events that lead to increasing hot days and warm nights and extreme rainfall index, Wood also said.

Jasper Inventor of Greenpeace International discussed the Bali Declaration which calls on governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions "by at least 50 percent below their 1990 levels by the year 2050."

Board Member Mae Javellana, who shared the provincial initiatives on climate change, said the province is leading the implementation of environmental laws within its territory, and among others, promoting the use of clean and renewable energy and working towards the decrease of air pollution.

She also said Negros Occidental is engaging in information and education campaign and in multi-sectoral cooperation and action concerning environmental issues.

Loreto Sanchez, San Carlos City solid waste program manager,              said their city has an Eco Park which houses the garbage recycling plant under the SWMP.

He also said that San Carlos is also hosting a biofuels plant and wind power generator.

Participants from the academe also committed to push for more awareness on climate change issues and to integrate its discussions in the curriculum while those from the civil society said they will intensify reforestation and propagate indigenous species.  

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said that on the part of Bacolod City, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed a resolution supporting the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.   

Gov. Isidro Zayco said the provincial government will support multi-sectoral efforts to fight climate change.

It’s alarming seeing how our climate has worsened, we have heavy rains even in summer, he said.

VNCC convenor George Sanchez reminded the participants that “political will is a renewable resource,” quoting former US Vice President Al Gore who noted the lack of political in addressing global warming.

Leadership changes but there should be renewed commitment to Mother Earth, Sanchez said.

Renato Bañas, also a convenor, said the challenge for VNCC is to translate the technical, global and abstract issues to the real world of implementors.

VNCC will coordinate all of these efforts so it will have an impact, he added.*NLG

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