Pursuing zero waste strategies is still possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic, health and waste experts said during the 22nd episode of The Climate Reality Project Philippines’ Klimatotohanan entitled “Unmasking the COVID-19 Plastic Pollution: Why Zero Waste is Essential Towards a Green and Just Recovery.”
In the discussion of the circular economy in the Philippines, where are we headed?
Pinoy Climate Reality Leader Carlo Delantar answers this question in our Manila Bulletin column Eleventh Hour this week.
In this article, Carlo noted that the conversation on the circular economy in the Philippines is growing in momentum, adding that Filipinos have long been observing circular practices despite being unaware of the textbook and definitive label. But there is more to do and much more to achieve in mainstreaming restorative and regenerative practices in our economic system.
The plastic crisis’s connection to the climate emergency and environmental justice impacts are undeniable. The cost of the continued dependence by corporations on single-use plastics and planned expansion of plastic production are too high to be ignored.
To ensure the safety of Filipinos and our environment from such impacts, the undersigned environmental, public health and civil society organizations are calling on consumer goods companies such as Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever and the plastic industry to urgently phase out single-use plastics packaging and adopt reuse systems.
In our Manila Bulletin column Eleventh Hour this week, youth Climate Reality Leaders Ari Tanglao and Janssen Clavelo shared with us how their group is reclaiming their future from the plastic waste crisis.
Ari and Janssen discussed the Youth Cluster’s partnership with Greenpeace on the anti-single-use plastic campaign called What’s SUP, as well as their plan to roll out The Plastic-Free Agenda with the Department of Education.
They also remind us of the importance of voting for leaders who understand that economic development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive.
Time is running out to save the world from the catastrophic impacts of climate change but there is no time for despair. Climate and environmental actions must continue if we want to ensure a livable planet for the generations to come.
This was communicated during the 15th episode of The Climate Reality Project Philippines’ Klimatotohanan webcast series entitled “Power Relay: Race to a Better Reality” by climate activists fighting for a just and accelerated clean energy transition in one of the world’s biggest polluting countries.
In our Manila Bulletin column Eleventh Hour this week, Pinoy Climate Reality Leaders Keith Ancheta and Niña Catipon wrote about maintaining optimism in the face of the climate crisis.
They urge those who are losing hope in humanity to find inspiration in the climate actions and initiatives spewing from the determination of the youth to change things around and create a better reality for all.
