Celebrities who are also climate action advocates recount their “green” efforts to help save energy and throw support behind R.E.START, the Renewable Energy Transition Awareness campaign of Oxfam Pilipinas.
R.E.STARTis mounted in collaboration with WWF-Philippines 2020, the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development, Greenpeace Philippines, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, to help increase awareness about best energy practices and hopefully inspire Filipinos to consider shifting to renewable energy consumption. Green transition, according to studies, are found to be cost-efficient and can alleviate some of the financial burdens that people face during this challenging time.
Actress and Oxfam Ambassador for Resilience Antoinette Taus points out that the Philippines is one one of the most vulnerable countries to be affected by climate disasters, experiencing this firsthand during the onslaught of super typhoons Rolly and Ulysses last year.
To help mitigate the effects of climate change, she urges people to use renewable energy sources through solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass that are all clean, sustainable, and inflicts no harm to the environment.
“Sa tulong ninyo, at sasama-sama nating pagsulong sa paggamit ng renewable energy, magiging mas malinis at ligtas ang ating kalikasan para sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang mundo ang ating nagiisang tahanan kaya nararapat lamang na ito ay ating pangalagaan,” she said.
Miss Earth 2017 and WWF Philippines ambassador Karen Ibascoexplainesthe adverse effects of using excessive fossil fuels to produce electricity and encourages everyone to transition and invest in renewable energy which is a clean source of energy.
“Turn off your appliances if you’re simply not using them or remove them from the plug because there are other appliances that have phantom loads. Also, when you’re going to purchase appliances, always check if they have high energy efficiency, ratios, and factors, because these can truly help,” Ibasco, a medical physicist, shares.
VIDEO LINK: www.facebook.com/OxfamPilipinas/videos/1034927676933282/]
TV host and model Marc Nelson has long been into renewable energy options including using solar panels for his home. He advises people to install solar panels if they can, use LED lights at home, and walk or ride a bicycle when possible.
“I always wonder why people still want to use fossil fuels that are dirty—they’re terrible for the environment, lousy for our health, and contribute to climate change—when we have an unlimited clean source of energy from the sun, from the wind, and even from the water,” he expresses.
VIDEO LINK: http://www.facebook.com/OxfamPilipinas/videos/2792025961114954/]
Child actress Xia Vigor, who is best known for her portrayal of “Yesha” in the Philippine remake of “Miracle in Cell No.7,” representschildren who will eventually inherit this planet. She is aware of the importance of living in a cleaner environment by making use of renewable energy from various natural resources.
“If the 7.8 billion people will aim to reduce their carbon footprints, my generation will have the benefit of a cleaner environment. Whatever the course of action we choose right now, it is us who will be paying the consequences,” she urges.
VIDEO LINK: www.facebook.com/OxfamPilipinas/videos/392963761816367/]
For more than 25 years now, Oxfam Pilipinas has been working to contribute to the eradication of poverty by supporting women and other vulnerable groups in saving lives and building livelihoods, enhancing their resilience to crises, shocks and stresses, and making their voices heard to hold duty-bearers accountable. It is part of its mission to support Oxfam’s vision of a global movement for changeto build a future free from the injustice of poverty by campaigning to combat climate change, among many others.
Know more about the advocacies of Oxfam Pilipinas by visiting its social media accounts @OxfamPilipinas and official website at www.philippines.oxfam.org/