While many have been focused on the pandemic, Upsilon Sigma Phi—the oldest Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia —has launched the Climate Action Network (CAN) that seeks to focus discussion on the worsening global climate situation.
The platform encourages an interchange of ideas and solutions among Filipinos on ways to address the global problem brought about by climate change.
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA) Chairman, lauded the initiative of Batch 1995 led by Dominic Afuang, Justinn Valerio and Norman Garcia for creating the platform.
Romualdez said the pandemic “has provided our planet a brief respite that allows it to recover and we must all take this opportunity to talk about and create solutions to address global climate change.”
The Climate Action Network was launched online in May of this year, with Department of Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella outlining the contributions of the Philippines to the Paris Agreement.
He said the DOE laid down the Philippine Energy Plan that supports the country in adapting to climate change.
The main goals of this plan are boosting indigenous energy production, installing additional power generating capacities, promoting and expedite investment, promoting consumer welfare, and strengthening local and international partnerships.
Fuentebella said the effort to address climate change is a serious national endeavor, and that the Philippine government continues to create policies, laws and initiatives that strengthen climate resilience.
“The country is one step further in meeting the development goals of affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action” according to Fuentebella.
Unilever Vice President for Sustainability and USPAA President Ed Sunico said the initiative seeks to stimulate awareness about climate change.
“While it seems that COVID-19 is our biggest challenge now, it’s a fact that two of the biggest threats we are facing remains to be climate change and social inequality. Climate change is not just an environmental concern but also a social one, especially when it unjustly impacts the lives and livelihoods of specific groups of people in our society,” he said.
“We want to spread the message that each Filipino can contribute to addressing climate change and we created a platform for it,” Sunico added.
“Saving our Planet, One U-Talk at a Time” is the slogan of the UpsilonCAN initiative and will be a series of talks on the issue of climate change. To participate, log on to http://upsiloncan.eventbrite.com/ for the calendar of events.
