In a recent passionate plea, Senator Loren Legarda, a leading environmental advocate in the Philippines, emphasized the critical link between the health of our planet and the survival of future generations.
Highlighting the dire consequences of neglecting the environment, Legarda called for immediate and tangible actions to mitigate climate change impacts.
“We must stop just thinking about today because the quality of life of the next generations is at stake,” Legarda asserted. “It’s time to do our small part as we are all accountable for the environment.”
The senator mentioned the reduction of plastic use, water conservation measures, planting trees, and advocating for renewable energy as crucial steps toward building a more sustainable environment for everyone.
Legarda’s call to action comes in the wake of the recent devastating El Niño phenomenon that wreaked havoc across the country, causing billions of pesos in damage to agriculture, livelihoods, and severely affecting both human and animal life.
The extreme heat’s impact has also led to significant challenges in water and food security, contributing to the displacement of residents globally.
According to the most recent Global Report 2024 of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, disasters displaced an additional 26.4 million people in 2023 alone. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for concrete environmental actions.
“Do we really want to see a barren, wasted land where everything from food, water, and air is scarce, and people do not know how to survive the next day?” Legarda asked, stressing on the urgency of taking concrete actions versus the consequences of climate change.
Legarda also pushed for the full implementation of existing environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the recently signed Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) law.
The four-term senator lauded the recent signing of the PENCAS law, which she championed in the Senate. The law promotes a data-driven approach to policy-making that aligns with global sustainability goals and aims to preserve the nation’s invaluable natural resources.
