Please honor the Paris pact, Mr. President

President Duterte has made such an impact on his fellow world leaders in a very short time that he has gained so much popularity and influence in the international community. He says this is for the benefit of the Filipino people, first and foremost, and we believe him.

Let us focus on the effects of climate change that scientists are saying are a worse threat to the world than the Islamic State, Taliban and Abu Sayyaf combined. Take the devastation brought by Tropical Storm “Ondoy,” Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and, recently, Supertyphoon “Lawin.” Scientists are saying (borne by data) that such climatic disturbances, which are caused by climate change, will be upon us with greater intensity and frequency sooner than later.

The Paris accord on climate action may one of the last-ditch efforts at mitigating the effects of climate change.

Mr. President, we are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change for reasons your scientists at Pagasa can readily explain to you.

The terms of the Paris climate change agreement may not be to your liking, but with your status on the world stage, you can certainly modify and make concessions.  Bahala ka nang dumiskarte.  Even China, Russia and India, among other friends, whose economies might be adversely affected by the treaty’s implementation, are signing by the end of this year.

Please honor this accord, for the sake of the Filipinos, for the sake of our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come.

ARISTEO L. CASTILLO, [email protected]