BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
THIS IS not a happy article. It can’t be because the truth is that we live in a sad and tough world where the super rich and powerful politicians own and manipulate the world economy, the financial markets and, above all, the energy sector. They have us ordinary people subjected to their power and decisions. Putin can decide to stop again the export of Ukrainian grain and start and end a famine in Africa. He can stop a war, but will not.
The UN and Turkey forced him to allow the grain to be shipped. His autocratic order to call up young people to fight his war in Ukraine has been met with resistance. Thousands have been arrested for protesting.
In the Philippines and elsewhere on the planet, there are challenges of climate change where immediate action is needed by government and business tycoons. The words of Pope Francis in Manila are challenging and inspiring. “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.” — Speech, Manila, Philippines, January 18, 2015.
We should also heed the dire message of the Secretary General of the United Nations. He has spoken forcibly and directly recently with a message that we all have to take to heart: to save the planet from catastrophe.
“At least half of all climate finance and climate resilience should go to adaptation and climate resilience, to protect people and economies. Unless action is taken now, unless funds are disbursed now, these tragedies will simply multiply, with devastating consequences for years to come, including instability and mass migration around the world.”
The remarks are a challenge for us in the Philippines, in our local communities, to act together to protect and save the environment. It is especially addressed to government officials and their friends in the energy business to have a lively conscience, a love of your neighbor and the nation, the people, the poor and the planet.
You in power have great responsibility to help remedy the Philippines’ and the world’s problems by a historical and long-lasting decision to implement plans to invest in and install renewable energy sources, adding more wind turbines and solar power fields and starting to reduce coal-burning power stations in the Philippines.
That is the path to greatness. That is the achievement that will win the gratitude of a nation. You will not be remembered for the vast amount of money you accumulated (unless it is from wrong-doing) and donated to charity nor will you be remembered and honored for the use of political power, unless it is abused and violates human rights. Yet, to make the Philippines energy self-sufficient is a feat that will be remembered.
The challenge for you leaders of industry and political dynasties is for you to use the economic and political power that you have to reach great goals of Philippine energy self-sufficiency within 20 years. Every island, every region could have its own independent power grid based on renewable energy. This, too, will be saving the nation from negative climate change and economic disaster. (To be continued)/PN
