Climate Change and Corruption
By Dr. Romulo Bautista
The lack of stricter environmental standards compounded by lack of stricter enforcement was evident in the Philippines during Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Pedring that caused massive damage to properties and massive loss of human lives. After those disastrous and catastrophic typhoons, climate change is now a growing national concern in the Philippines. [People are now beginning to realize its effects on their lives and the future of this country. - Eds]
Climate change is a two-fold phenomenon. For lack of adequate descriptions, one phenomenon might be described as “natural and constructive”, which is intrinsic in the nature of existing realities and is regulated by the laws of nature. The other phenomenon might be described as “man-caused and destructive”, which is extrinsic to the nature of realities and is regulated by ethical laws legislated by man.
The Kyoto Protocol
In 1997, industrialized countries agreed on the Kyoto Protocol, which includes provisions that curtail the use of energy in rich countries and demand stricter environmental standards, requiring all industrialized countries to abide by it, the moral and ethical argument being that the burden lies with them in all these years of economic industrial expansions. The industrialized countries, except for the USA, signed the said Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol, in effect, provides the international ethical standard on climate change, as it acknowledges and affirms the harmful effects of industrialization to the environment, and that no amount of economic wealth creation can ever morally justify the dangers from the “destructive man-made” climate change. [In fact, the 2016 Paris Accord tries to improve on the current standards of the Kyoto protocol but the US withdrew from the Paris agreement. - Eds.]
The reality is that the “man-made” climate change affects alike the industrialized rich countries and the poor countries in the third world, such as the Philippines. The Philippine experience from rampant disregard of stricter environmental standards that resulted into massive disasters and catastrophes upon thousands of Filipinos during Typhoon Ondoy, makes it imperative for government and all concerned to set up stricter environmental standard.
Impacts of “Man-made” Climate Change
The “man-caused” climate change is already transforming life on Mother Earth. Around the world, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. If we do not act now, the “man-caused” climate change will permanently alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival. Depending on where we live now on earth, the following are some of the most noted dangerous consequences of “man-caused” climate change:
• Higher temperatures
• Changing landscapes
• Wildlife at risk
• Rising seas
• Increased risk of drought, fire and floods
• Stronger storms and increased storm damages
• More heat-related illness and diseases
• Economic losses
The above consequences of “man-made” climate change are increasingly noted and experienced in the country. [Typhoon Tino and its impact in Cebu is another case in point. The resilience of the Filipinos is often highlighted but this case right now is man-made. It is largely rooted in corruption and irresponsibility on the part of government officials who have not acted with sincerity in protecting the environment. As a result, the Filipino continues to suffer. - Eds.]
According to the world-wide research studies of The Nature Conservancy, “there are 3 billion people who live in poverty around the world that will be hardest hit by climate change. The poor are more dependent on natural resources and have less of an ability to adapt to a changing climate. Diseases, declining crop yields and natural disasters are just a few of the impacts of climate change that could devastate the world’s most vulnerable communities.”
[The way forward is to adapt a dynamic whole of nation approach to the problem. This will require involving international experts who should be tapped to make plans and help design flood control projects. The government can resume funding the same after this year or when some of the accused are put in jail. Other stakeholders must be part of the monitoring team. Honest and competent contractors should take part in the projects and erring contractors must be banned. This requires nothing short of good leadership and a vision for the future. ¬ Eds]
