Climate advocates remember ‘Yolanda’, call on LGUs to declare climate emergency
‘To prevent the devastating aftermath of worsening typhoons, we ask our leaders to fulfill their responsibility in addressing the root causes and real-life effects of the climate crisis’
The Climate Walk was a 30-day, 1,000-kilometer walk held by advocates from Kilometer Zero in Manila to Ground Zero in Tacloban.
Creative group DAKILA, its local collectives and climate justice advocates from different parts of the country recently launched a series of 10-minute silent protests in their local government units to demand climate emergency declaration and accountability for big polluters.
This is part of the creative action "Huwag Kalimutan: Magdala ng Payong at Manawagan!" from 8 November to the beginning of Climate Change Consciousness Week on 19 November in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
"On the 10th anniversary of super typhoon 'Yolanda,' we highlight the importance of addressing the climate crisis from the local to the national levels in the face of the worsening climate crisis," the group said. "We underscore that the climate emergency is not just an environmental issue but a sociopolitical one. To prevent the devastating aftermath of worsening typhoons, we ask our leaders to fulfill their responsibility in addressing the root causes and real-life effects of the climate crisis."
DAKILA members AG Saño, Nityalila Saulo and Jing Barrios, along with members of Greenpeace Philippines, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and other advocates, held the culmination of the Climate Walk with a candle-lighting ceremony at Tacloban North Family Park, Tacloban City, Leyte.
The Climate Walk was a 30-day, 1,000-kilometer walk held by advocates from Kilometer Zero in Manila to Ground Zero in Tacloban starting on 8 October. The walk had pit stops in cities and municipalities severely affected by typhoons to allow participants to hold creative forums and conversations with local stakeholders on the worsening climate crisis.
On 24 October, Albay Governor Greco "Grex" Lagman declared a climate emergency in his locality in time with the stopover of Climate Walk in the province, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate global warming.
"I strongly remind our elected officials, especially those within Albay, of their duty to protect our people, our thriving province, and our natural heritage from the escalating climate crises. It is our responsibility to ensure a sustainable life for present and future generations," Lagman said.
Amplifying that call, DAKILA member, artist and musician Nityalila said, "As we converse with LGUs, we also call on President Bongbong Marcos to declare a national climate emergency, create policies that will hold big polluters accountable and lead the just transition to sustainable energy."