As Typhoon Karding battered the country with strong winds and heavy rains, other parts of the world also took a beating — Storm Fiona ravaged Canada’s east coast with terrifying winds, a Category 3 hurricane devastated Florida, while 64 percent of Europe experienced drought, something that appeared to be the worst in at least 500 years. These were disparate occurrences, but all have one thing in common — they were “influenced” in one way or another by climate change.
Because of man’s economic activity, fueled largely by the burning of fossil fuel and cutting down large swaths of forests, the world is warmer than it has ever been. A warming world increases the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Case in point is Typhoon Karding, as it suddenly gained strength upon entering the country with its “explosive intensification.” Weather scientists have suggested that in order for explosive intensification to occur, several conditions take place, and among them — water temperatures must be warm.
Typhoon Karding is not an isolated event, and sadly, will not be the last of its kind to enter the country. Climate change jumpstarts a chain of events including a rise in the sea level, rising temperatures, and heavy rainfall. Our country’s location also makes us more vulnerable and our defenseless coastlines make them prone to flooding. Storm surges affect informal sector members who rely on agriculture and fishing. Extreme rainfall, meanwhile, causes not only floods but also landslides, destroying houses, roads, and infrastructure.
It is therefore not only timely, but also appropriate, that the Philippines demands climate justice at the rostrum of the United Nations (UN). During last week’s UN General Assembly, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for climate justice and unlocking of climate finance for vulnerable and at-risk nations. He said, “Climate change is the greatest threat affecting our nations and peoples. There is no other problem so global in nature that it requires a united effort, one led by the UN. The effects of climate change are uneven and reflect an historical injustice: Those who are least responsible suffer the most.”
The President noted that the country is a “net carbon sink,” which means we absorb more carbon dioxide than we emit. “Yet, the country is the fourth most vulnerable to climate change.”
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded the President’s call and hoped that it “sets the groundwork for principled global climate action.” “We have a strong and resonant voice for climate justice to make sure that the global community urgently responds to the needs of the times,” according to the CCC. “The Philippines is working with other nations to ensure allocation for adaptation is doubled, and that climate change-related losses and damages are funded by developed nations based on commitments under the Paris Agreement.”
In the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP 27) that will be held in Egypt in November, the Philippines will “continue to push for the delivery of climate finance that is needs-based, anchored on the principles of climate justice and equity.”
As stressed by the President, calling for climate justice is not just about financial compensation or sharing of technology, as “injustice must be corrected, and those who need to do more must act now.” As Typhoon Karding exits the country, we should not be complacent. Let’s start to raise our voices and call for climate justice. This is one that all of us, 110 million Filipinos, can stand behind as we only have one planet to call home.