 | Climate change solutions tackled in Iloilo dialogue |
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Philipppine News Agency: September 28, 2019, 2:05 pm
ILOILO CITY – The civil society networks and the youth of Iloilo Climate Strike 2019 raised on Friday concerns during the multi-stakeholder dialogue on climate change solutions at the Office of the Congressman here.
The dialogue highlighted, among others, the latest reports and scientific findings from experts, knowledge on various environmental initiatives of stakeholders and the government, and shared targets in localizing commitments for carbon reduction.
Emmanuel Areño, executive director of the Iloilo Caucus of Development Non-Government Organizations, Inc. (ICODE), said actions must be done as the world experiences climate crisis.
“We are already under climate crisis as the temperature will rise by 2 percent in 2030,” he said in an interview.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he said, released a report on the effects of the increase of temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Effects may include extreme weather conditions, sea-level rise, destruction of ecosystems, loss of vital species and crops, population displacement, and huge cost to the global economy.
“The dialogue was an opportunity for the government agencies to report what they are doing and for us to also present our sectoral agenda in the urban communities, fisheries, forestries, agriculture, and other initiatives,” he said.
Also present in the dialogue are local stakeholders who experience firsthand the changes of climate and its effect on their livelihood.
Leo Logronio, president of the Fisherfolk Association of Tinigban in Carles town, Iloilo, lamented the effects of the climate change in their daily catch, saying "ber" months are supposed to be a season for squid but they have noticed that their squid catch this September had declined.
“The average catch of a fisherman is about one to two kilos only because of the critical situation brought about by climate change,” he said.
Tinigban fishermen also observed the changes of the wind, among others, which had caused confusion to some.
The fisherfolk had raised their experiences during the dialogue and shared the measures they are doing to contribute to the solution of climate change.
“As being part of the solution, we emphasize to the group that we go on rehabilitation so our group have mangrove nursery and plantation. We also teach our children of what we are doing for the environment for them to also follow,” Logronio said.
Areño said the output of the dialogue will be a huge contribution to the policy agenda setting on Oct. 30.
“The policy agenda will tackle the priority agenda that we identified during the dialogue. We will meet with congressmen and mayors to discuss further the steps we will take,” he said. (PNA)
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