The city government held its 1st Climate Change Summit at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
Bannering the theme, “Sama-samang tumutugon sa hamon ng nagbabagong klima,” the summit envisioned to promote climate change awareness, encourage everyone to take action, and synergize the implementation of climate change programs and projects among stakeholders.
Participants in the summit are city officials, members of the Climate Change Council, punong barangays, and advocates of climate change and environmental protection.
“Massive change is required now, one that leads to a new collective consciousness, inspired and enabled by a sense of urgency from all of us. This time is now for us to do something to prevent global warming otherwise, the damage will be irreversible. We are and we remain champions of climate action and we are determined to step up the pace of change,” Assistant City Environment and Parks Management Officer Marivic Empizo said.
She said an Asian Development Bank study in 2018 showed the carbon footprint of Baguio City is estimated to be more than 629,000 tons carbon dioxide.
Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels or the total amount of generated greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane.
It covers emission from electricity consumption, transportation, change in land cover or deforestation, solid waste disposal, and liquid waste treatment.
Baguio City also logged 53 per annual per capita emissions which is higher than the national average and in other parts of the country.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong enjoined everyone to find more solutions and take concrete actions to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and build a smart, livable, and green and sustainable city.
“We must work together to implement sustainable practices in our daily lives and this includes reducing waste, conserving water, and using environmentally friendly product,” Magalong said.
“Baguio City has the potential to be a leader in addressing the challenges of climate change, we have the resources and the will to create a more resilient and sustainable future,” he added.
The second summit for civil society organizations, youth groups, and other stakeholders is slated on Feb. 22.
Accelerating climate action is among the strategies of the Philippine Deve-lopment Plan 2023-2040, which is geared towards the attainment of the country’s long-term vision, the AmBisyon Natin 2040 where all Filipinos are envisioned to enjoy strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure lives. – Debbie E. Gasingan
April 25, 2024
