Filipino eco group urges Trump to re-think global warming stance

FILE: President Donald J. Trump (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead via Flickr)

MANILA — Environmental group Clean Air Philippines Movement Inc. is urging United States President Donald Trump to re-think his stance on global warming.

The local group said the Philippines, a long-time ally of the US, is seen to be among those most affected by climate change.

“We seek your compassionate heart for you to see the clear and present danger that continuously threatens all Filipinos due to global warming and climate change,” Clean Air Philippines Movement Inc. chairman Michael Aragon said in a statement.

According to Aragon, the US and the Philippines are long-time friends and Trump is a friend to the Filipinos, who would eventually be affected by climate change.

“The policies and decisions of the leader of the most powerful country in the world also affect us here in the Philippines,” Aragon said.

He added the Philippines has lower carbon emissions compared with first world countries, but is more gravely affected by climate change than other nations.

“The Philippines’ minor contribution to the total global footprint is only 0.3 percent or less than one percent vis-a-vis the major carbon footprint contributions of the first world countries, yet when fatal disasters strike due to global warming and climate change, it is the Filipinos who suffers most,” he pointed out.

The group cited various studies that showed the Philippines is among those most vulnerable to climate change.

The United States is the remaining country in the world that has not signed the Paris climate agreement.

Early this month, war-torn Syria signed the agreement, which brings the total signatories to 197.

The legally-binding Paris climate deal aims to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C and to maintain the rise to 1.5°C through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

It also established actions to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, while it finances mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries.

(PNA)