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Monday. September 18, 2017
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WE KNOW how hard it is to convince people to protect the environment. People only act when there is threat and fear; but that is not how we should live.
We know the solutions to climate change are technical and complex but one of the fundamental solutions is to change our collective consciousness. People need to be inspired and feel that they are part of a shared cause. Each of us has opportunities to make a difference for our planet and future.
Saturday’s Pyesta sa Kakahuyan of Iloilo province and Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ coastal cleanup in Iloilo City proved we can protect our planet. They proved that small acts, when put together, create big change. It is hoped that we can go beyond the once-a-year tree planting or coastal cleanup and imbibe environment-friendly practices as a way of life.
We have to embrace the concept of a simple, sustainable, healthy and resilient lifestyle by going back to the basics of a quality life. We start with ourselves because the only way to inspire others to take action is to do it ourselves. Saving on electricity, using low carbon technologies, conserving water, eating local food, planting more trees, among others, are just some of the simple ways by which individuals can significantly contribute to protecting the planet.
Beyond that, we can join the rest of the world in efforts to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness on sustainability and environmental challenges. We have to strengthen collective and individual action to cope with and address the impacts of climate change. The Philippines is one of the countries that greatly bear the brunt of natural hazards. Despite this, we have shown the world that we may be vulnerable but we are not incapable of action.
We must lead the way towards meaningful change — change in the way we think, change in the way we live, and change in the way we pursue the development and the future we long for — for our children and grandchildren, for all of humanity, for all species in the world, for our own survival, and for the only planet we call home.
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