Also wage war on garbage

In reference to the news item “Rody won’t honor Paris climate pact” (Front Page, 7/19/16), President Duterte is right in saying developed nations are largely responsible for global warming and climate change, and that we must be left alone to work for an industrialized and developed economy.

Thus we ask the President that if he won’t honor the Paris climate pact, he would do best to honor the integrity of creation. Environmental protection intertwined with the people’s health and welfare is a nonnegotiable issue. We must cut carbon emissions, not necessarily because of the climate pact, but more so for the integrity of creation in our own country’s environment and to keep us safe from pollution and disasters due to the use of fossil fuels, including coal.

Our carbon emissions may be negligible compared to those of developed countries, but we suffer the greatest from this injustice. Storms “Ondoy,” “Pepeng,” “Quiel,” “Sendong,” “Milenyo,” “Yolanda,” etc. killed scores of people, destroyed property, and increased poverty and criminality. Also, being victims of capitalist greed, we demand that developed countries stop using fossil fuels to cut their carbon emissions drastically, dramatically and significantly.

Also, we got “excited” by the story titled “Trash in cities gets Duterte ire” (News, 7/17/16). Methane, dioxin, furan, and other toxic emissions from dumps increase global warming, pollute the air, and cause serious ailments among the people. Leachate or garbage effluents degrade the land and waters, diminishing their productivity; and likewise cause ailments. Plastics clog waterways and drainage systems, resulting in severe flooding. Garbage means filth, a wasteful culture dictated by profit-motivated commerce—and corruption. More garbage needs more garbage trucks and dumps, justifying the humongous budgets for hauling and dumping. There is no such thing as “sanitary” landfills.

We call on President Duterte to enjoin us all in an ecological “war” against garbage starting with those coming from our homes, communities and establishments. An ecologically enlightened and patriotic people will sustain good practices beyond their stints as barangay chairs, mayors or governors, including those coddling dumps. With President Duterte at the helm, could we finally lay the foundation for an ecologically sound and sustainable economy and a strong society and culture?

Like the President, we love our country, we love our children.

—JOEY C. PAPA, president, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, [email protected]