Heat wave

A heat wave is threatening Asia with scorching temperatures that will be detrimental for all.

The spring in Shanghai has been cut short while the winter still engulfs the eastern seaboard of the United States. I fear that this trend will continue to get worse and climate change will devastate the planet. Water resources will dwindle and food security will be threatened raising fears of more Arab Springs.

It has been a long while since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has had their Conference of Parties and nothing has happened except increasing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

I write this in Shanghai where the spring has turned into summer and yet they are one of the leaders in electric bikes. As the silent army moves along, US President Donald Trump refuses to acknowledge the existence of this climate change battle.

With so many Earth Day celebrations, I am not happy celebrating and feel happier just planting trees and protecting our oceans.

I really worry for our people and planet.

ANTONIO M. CLAPAROLS, president, Ecological Society of the Philippines