CBCP exec airs concern on link between climate change, poverty in PHL

An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines this week aired concern over what he called the link between climate change and poverty in the Philippines.

Caritas Philippines executive director Fr. Edu Gariguez told the Caritas Internationalis' general assembly in Rome climate change may send more Filipinos to poverty.

“If we quantify the price we pay for climate change…study shows that economic cost is greater than the losses caused by two world wars and great depression of the 20th century. And of course, in the whole economic equation, it is the poor people and poor countries who are to bear the greater share of the burden,” he said, according to an article posted Friday on the CBCP news site.

Gariguez said farmers, fishermen, indigenous peoples, women and children are among the “most vulnerable” sectors threatened by the effects of climate change.

He added poverty cannot be reduced without addressing the issues of climate change.

“Clearly, climate change and its ensuing extreme weather impact are hurting the most vulnerable countries, like the Philippines,” Gariguez said.

Yolanda

Gariguez cited the effects of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which left more than 6,300 dead after it devastated the Visayas in November 2013.

He added Yolanda sent 5.6 million poor people into extreme poverty when they lost properties and livelihoods.

“More likely, super storms such as Haiyan, will be experienced by vulnerable poor communities particularly in the Pacific where ocean warming is being observed which is like(ly) to cause more extreme weather events,” he said.

Gariguez also said climate change causes irreversible damage to agriculture and marine resources.

He also cited its role in loss of biodiversity, spread of infectious diseases, urban air pollution, water scarcity, and landslide vulnerability.

Moral issue

Gariguez also said climate change is a moral issue, and the Church "cannot remain passive bystanders.”

The CBCP via Caritas Philippines advocates sustainable agriculture and reforestation to address climate change and its impact on poverty.

It also actively supports the campaign for climate justice, reduction of carbon emission, promotion of renewable energy, and opposition to coal-powered plants. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News