Delivering the Philippine Statement at the Joint High-Level Segment of the climate change summit in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said that combating climate change and economic development must go hand in hand as nations strive to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"Should the change in the planet's temperature escalate to more than 1.5 degrees, we stand to lose whatever economic gains we make. The planet simply cannot afford an indecisive ambiguity about what needs to be done. The situation is clear - anything more than 1.5 degrees will destroy possibilities for quality of life," Lopez said.

She added: "We do not need to give up economic growth - from clean energy, to sustainable transportation, to all facets of life. We need to have the courage to change the way we do things. We cannot and must not build an economy based on suffering."

Thus, Lopez said the Philippines will embark on a massive expansion of mangrove and bamboo plantations to strengthen the ecological and economic resilience of local communities in the face of climate change and its devastating impacts.

"We will go heavily into mangroves because, as our experience with typhoon Yolanda showed, the islands with mangroves suffered 80-percent less damage to lives and property," Lopez pointed out.

"The thrust will not only save our islands but will create economic zones because of the resulting increase in marine life. If handled well, our people can get out of poverty."

The DENR chief said the country will plant millions of bamboos, which not only perform "superbly" in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere but could also be used as material for buildings, low-cost housing, floor tiles and textiles, and for cleaning polluted waterways."

With the planned expansion of its mangrove and bamboo plantations, Lopez said the Philippines will prove that climate-change adaption and mitigation and inclusive economic growth do not necessarily have to be separate choices.

"These objectives can all be achieved given the right approach," Lopez pointed out.

Lopez was tasked by Malacañang to attend the Marrakech summit, officially billed as the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It served as the first meeting of governments since the adoption of the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change in December last year.

In her speech, Lopez proposed that the Philippines which, according to her is in the "firing line" of climate change, "be one venue for scientists as we explore ways for humanity to move forward."

"I propose a dynamic direction of creating climate-change models that send the message, 'it can be done and we can do it!' The rules of the Paris Agreement can state what the performance indicators of these models should be," she added.

Lopez noted that the Philippines, a country of more than 7,100 islands, has the highest biodiversity endemicity per unit area in the world. This means that 70 percent of the biodiversity found in the Philippines can only found in the country, she said.

"We have more than 3000 species of marine life, including a snail the venom of which has been found by a Nobel laureate to be better than morphine in addressing pain without the side effects," Lopez said.

"Our sponges and shells are effective in addressing cancer, and we are barely scratching the surface of what there is. This is not just the wealth of the Philippines - it is the wealth of all of us together."

In closing, Lopez said she was in awe at the dynamism and non-negotiable commitment of the leaders of the climate change movement.

"If we all imbibe this consciousness deep in our hearts and manifest it in ground level reality - humanity faces a bright future if we continue to bloom this spirit of working together," Lopez said. "The Philippines is making a commitment to this exciting future." #

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Published: 18 November 2016

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently hosted a first-of-its-kind forum highlighting the importance of preserving the country's caves and karst systems, which are home to great biodiversity and a vital source of potable water.

Held on November 9 and 10 at the National Museum of History Auditorium in Manila, the forum has brought together representatives from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and the academe, as well as cave experts and stakeholders to tackle the latest practices in managing caves and karst systems.

The two-day conference was organized by the Caves, Wetlands and other Ecosystems Division or CAWED of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the DENR, and the National Cave Committee (NCC).

With the theme, "Understanding the Interactions Between People and Caves," participants were able to exchange knowledge on caves and promote their protection and conservation.

"Our mission is to raise awareness and understanding on caves and its resources to address the threats that endanger this ecosystem," said BMB Assistant Director Antonio Manila, who spoke on behalf of BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim at the opening of the forum.

Manila shared that the DENR has already taken steps to protect caves and karst systems in the country through its Cave Management and Conservation Program.

The program is administered by the NCC, which is chaired by the BMB. The committee members include the Department of Tourism (DOT), National Museum, National Institute for Geological Sciences of the University of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Leagues of Cities, Municipalities and Provinces of the Philippines, and the GAIA Exploration Club.

The forum discussed the value of caves to human well-being as it tried to build interest in the research and study of caves in the country.

Five topics were discussed during the forum, namely: cave geology, cave biology, cultural and historical value of caves, cave ecotourism, and governance and management of caves.

Research papers and reports about caves and karst systems were presented by invited resource speakers, including Dr. Fernando Siringan of the UP Marine Science Institute.

Siringan, in his presentation regarding the Accretion Rates and Paleoclimate Records of Philippine Stalagmites, noted that climate change could directly affect stalagmite formation since the decrease in the amount of rainfall slows down its accretion rate.

Stalagmites are important to caves because they provide shelter to cave-dwelling animals like bats. Together with stalactites, they fuse to form a column or pillar that helps support the roof of the cave.

Marc Metens of the Zamboanga Peninsula Cavers Association discussed the basic safety for cave researchers and enthusiasts.

Metens emphasized the importance of planning caving trips, the potential dangers in caves including those that are nature-related like sudden flooding and collapses, and man-related such as over and under estimation of caves and visitor capabilities, wrong techniques, and equipment failure.

He said that physical and technical training are also vital to anyone who plans to explore a cave.

Elizabeth Maclang, manager of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) Program, talked about the challenges in the management of PPUR as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature.

According to Maclang, while ecotourism generates a sizeable income to the community, the river's carrying capacity should also be taken into consideration.

Closing the forum, Maritess Agayatin of the BMB-CAWED called on everyone to work together and help each other for the preservation of Philippine caves.

"Let us not be sectoral. Let us have collaborative and concerted efforts in the conservation and management of our caves," Agayatin said.

"With this forum, we have widened our networking. I hope we continue our vision for our caves," she added.

The protection and conservation of caves is mandated under Republic Act No. 9072, or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management Protection Act.

The law mandates the DENR to formulate, develop and implement a national program for the management, protection and conservation of caves and cave resources, in coordination with the DOT, the National Museum, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and concerned LGUs. ###

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Published: 15 November 2016

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has assured that the Duterte administration will "pursue national development conscious of our responsibility to safeguard the people, the environment, and the biodiversity from the negative impacts of climate change."

Lopez made the assurance as she left for Marrakech, Morocco on Sunday to attend the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Lopez was tasked by Malacañang to attend the summit, officially billed as the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Marrakech conference, which runs from November 7-18, is the crucial next step for governments looking to operationalize the new global climate deal adopted in Paris, France last year.

Lopez is expected to attend the Women Leaders and Global Transformation Summit in which world leaders will learn how women can be strong solution providers to further sustainable development.

Before leaving for Morocco, Lopez called on Filipinos to "care enough to act and do what is needed together."

She also said: “As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts, we should be sitting at the negotiating table. The Philippines cannot abandon its commitment to address the single greatest threat facing the planet today."

Lopez cited the country's experience with supertyphoon Yolanda, which claimed thousands of lives and left unimaginable destruction in central Philippines in 2013.

Following consultation with members of the Cabinet, President Duterte announced that he finally decided to ratify the Paris Agreement.

The President's decision was welcomed by several quarters, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"We, in the DENR, welcome with much joy and hope in our hearts President Rodrigo Duterte's decision in allowing the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change," Lopez said.

After achieving the threshold number of the countries needed to ratify the Paris Agreement, the international climate pact started to take effect on November 4. ###

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Published: 14 November 2016

A roster of activities that will promote the creation of eco-schools and eco-cities has been lined up by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) as it leads nationwide celebrations of Clean Air Month, Environmental Awareness Month and Climate Change Consciousness Week (November 21-25) this November.

With the theme “Green Schools : Build Climate-resilient and Sustainable Communities”, these activities will aim to inculcate environmental awareness among the youth and promote ways of reducing their negative impact on the environment. It will also focus on sharing and upscaling of good practices of environmentally-sustainable communities to pave the way for the build-up of more sustainable and eco-friendly schools in the Philippines.

The country has long been feeling the impacts of climate change and part of the global solution is keeping communities safe and strong through adaptation and mitigation measures, said EMB Director Gilbert Gonzales. “It is imperative that all of us stay committed to countering the adverse effects of this phenomenon and building sustainable solutions for the long-term benefit of people and nature,” he added.

For the entire month of November, the DENR-EMB Central and Regional Offices, together with other partner agencies and organizations are joining forces to promote the three events and spearhead the line-up of activities that will be celebrated this November.

The celebration of Clean Air Month will kick-off with a youth forum (3 pm to 5 pm)–cum- free clean air concert (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, dubbed "Project : Green Schools; Lesson: Climate Resiliency" at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City on November 8. The three-hour concert will feature a number of popular bands like 6 cycle mind, Silent Sanctuary, Gloc 9, and clean air champion Lou Bonnevie. This concert is organized by EMB-DENR with the Earth Day Jam Foundation, and other sector-partners.

The EMB, through its Air Quality Management Section (AQMS), will conduct a National Airshed Management Seminar - Workshop on November 7-11 in Clark, Pampanga. At the regional level, there will be Takbo para sa Malinis na Hangin (November 26) in MIMAROPA; Airshed Summit and Check your Car Day (November 15) in Region 5; “Bike for Air” (November 4) in Region 8; Transport Forum for Clean Air (November 8) in Region 12.
Most of the activities on environmental awareness center on climate change, solid waste management and water quality management. On November 15-16, EMB Central and NCR Offices will hold a Metro Manila Partners’ Forum for Adopt-an-Estero/Water Body Program at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. It will be followed by a National Harmonization Workshop on the Adopt-an-Estero Water Body Program which will converge EMB regional coordinators of the Adopt-an-Estero/Water Body Program to share experiences and success stories on November 17-18.
Other activities include Workshop on Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP) to Support Industry Self-Regulation Towards Improved Environmental Performance on November 8-11 in Region IVA; and National Water Quality Management Area Conference on November 21-25 in Region 12.

A National Senior Educators’ Conference on “Greening Higher Education Towards Sustainable Development Goals” will also be held in Iloilo City from November 22-24, in coordination with the Philippine Association of Tertiary Level Educational Institutions in Environmental Protection and Management (PATLEPAM).
For its part, DepEd is also mobilizing all its division offices to encourage schools/academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level. On November 25, all divisions will celebrate the National Day for Youth in Climate Action which will gather elementary and secondary students in a forum clean air, solid waste management and climate change.

Also included in the line-up are activities on waste recycling, tree planting, water conservation, climate change, environmental film showings and symposia, including school clean-ups. This month’s celebration will also drum beat the upcoming National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools next year.
For the National Climate Change Consciousness Week which is celebrated from November 21-25, the DENR’s Climate Change Service, and Strategic Communications and Initiatives Service, in coordination with DENR bureaus and offices, will be holding an Exhibit on Climate Change from November 21-25, at the DENR Lobby in Quezon City. Happening in the afternoons of November 21, 23 and 25 will be a Lecture Series on Climate Change for the Schools and Communities at the DENR Social Hall, also in Quezon City.

As part of its Nationwide Campaign for Climate Change Education, the San Beda Environmental Law Society, with the DENR, Climate Change Commission, The Climate Reality Project, SEED Institute will be organizing a series of youth fora on climate change which will be conducted at the De La Salle University campus during the Climate Change Consciousness Week.

On November 25, EMB-Region 6 will have Youth Empowerment Summit 2016 or YES 2016 & Eco-Friendly School Champs Exhibit that will gather exceptional future leaders who will share their inspirational stories on climate change.
Month-long activities in support to the triple celebrations will be held simultaneously in DENR and EMB regional offices. In MMAROPA, a Seminar for Teachers on Basic Education on Environmental Laws and Promotion of 2017 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools on November 9 in Oriental Mindoro; Launching of Bawas Balot, Bawas Basura Program (November 28); In Region 5, Climate Change Exhibit @Sorsogon (November 16-18); in Region 8, there will be a “Bike for Clean Air” (November 4); In Region 9, there will be Dalaw Turo in selected high schools (November 8-9, 21-23); Clean Up Drive in Zamboang del Norte (November 2-4); In Region 12, there will be a Learning Event on Solid Waste Management for Selected LGUs in Region 12 (November 2-3); Users’ Training on the Operationalization of Online Permitting and Monitoring System-Wastewater Discharge Permit Module (November 21-25).

For information on these activities, you may log on to EMB’s official website (www.emb.gov.ph) or visit EMB’s official Facebook pages (facebook.com/EcoFriendlySchoolsPhilippines and facebook.com/emb.eeid).###

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Published: 03 November 2016

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez is appealing to Filipinos to be mindful of their responsibility to the environment as millions prepare to visit the graves of their departed loved ones for the traditional observance of All Souls' Day.

Lopez issued the appeal in anticipation of the recurring garbage problem during "Undas," a situation many regard as a gross disrespect for the dead and Mother Earth.

"The huge volume of garbage collected during cleanup activities in cemeteries year in, year out is a sad footnote to an otherwise beautiful Filipino tradition," Lopez said.

"It exacts a major toll on the environment and public health," she said.

The environment chief said the public should take the occasion as an opportunity to show environmental responsibility and refrain from activities that would degrade the proper way to remember the dead.

"Beyond flowers and candles that punctuate our beautiful tradition of Undas, this occasion demands that we also practice environmental responsibility in honoring the memory of our dearly departed," Lopez pointed out.

Lopez also reiterated the call of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for everyone to practice CLAYGO, which stands for Clean As You Go, and use reusable or recyclable food containers.

"Please make an effort to throw trash in bins coded to segregate them accordingly," Lopez said, urging cemetery visitors to as much as possible bring their own garbage bags and take their own trash home.

She added: "Our dearly departed deserve our prayers and respect, not trash. Let us honor them by keeping their resting place garbage-free."

An estimated 30,000 tons of garbage is collected everyday nationwide, with 8,000 tons collected in Metro Manila alone. The volume shoots up during public holidays.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, some 140 truckloads of garbage are usually collected from various cemeteries in the metropolis on November 1 and 2.

At the same time, Lopez called on the public to be mindful of their civic duty to follow the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

"The law must be followed more out of good environmental citizenship, rather than out of fear of its punitive provisions," Lopez stressed.

Under the law, a person caught littering shall be fined between P300 and P1,000, or made to render community service.

Lopez also advised the public to take public transportation or share a ride to the cemetery during Undas.

"Carpooling or taking public transportation can create carbon savings. Whenever applicable, use bicycle or walk to your destination," she added. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

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Published: 28 October 2016