Sendong: Is it climate change? It's complicated.

In the past three days, many people, many from the media, have called, texted, emailed, or in person asked me whether the tragedy caused by Sendong can be attributed to climate change. This is a very sensible question and one that deserves a thorough answer. 

We are against one real cruel enemy - that is climate change

COP17-CMP7

Joint Informal Stocktaking Plenary

Delivered by Commissioner Yeb Sano

2:00 a.m., 11 December 2011

Durban, South Africa

Thank you Madam President.

I have here in my hand hard copies of the Convention and the KP as printed in 1998. I have used them for 13 years and I hold them dearly. I am afraid these booklets are in danger of being relegated as relics of a lost era.

In the past week, we were also witnesses to the thousands of people who wore “I love KP shirts.” I’m afraid these I love KP shirts are in danger of becoming mere souvenirs of a lost era – an era that is at risk of losing our existing legally-binding rules-based regime that aims to avert the most serious threat to humanity.

Does a rose by any other name smell as sweet?

by Yeb Sano

UNEP has come out with a report entitled "Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication". I thank the UNEP for this report, as it gives us a better picture of what a green economy is, and how it can provide the impetus for sustainable development as envisioned in Rio almost 20 years ago. 

At the onset, I would say that there is little I can argue with the ideals of green economy, as the report explains it to be. My reflection on the report would mainly revolve around three Cs – which coincidentally is the acronym of the Climate Change Commission. The first C is concept. The 2^nd C is content. And the 3^rd C is context. 

Desiderata

Just posting one of my favorite prose poems by Max Ehrmann. Timeless and always universal.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

The Sea is Life

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and Why I Love Going to the Beach

by Yeb Sano

            Ang dagat ay buhay. (The sea is life)

            Of all natural wonders, I love the sea. For me, the sea is a refuge which takes away the toxins of urban life. A few hours by the shore where water greets the land is enough to ease the tensions of one who have become hardened by the daily grind of so-called civilization. A dip in the cool clear waters of our countryside coasts is a magical experience that loosens up every muscle and every bone. The sea absorbs my frustrations, and transforms my inner torments into waves of hope. And this enchanting experience is even multiplied hundredfold when I descend beneath the glassy surface of the sea into an underwater realm…a truly awesome sight that reveals the Creator’s sense of humor and beauty.  Yes, the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen are beneath the waves. That is why I always look forward to a trip to the beach.

COLONIALISM AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS IN THE PHILIPPINES

I am posting an older piece written by a friend... on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of EDSA

by Victor de Leon

24 February 2006

ENVIRONMENTAL PLUNDER

Today, our generation is faced with perhaps the most important problem of all time – the radical decline of nature, the very source of life for billions of people on Earth. If our generation fails to find a solution, then future generations would inherit the problem, likely amplified a hundredfold. This predicament is not exclusive to any one country, but the most adversely affected by the impacts of environmental degradation are the least developed and developing countries in the so-called economic South.

Conventional Genset or Solar Panels?

The supply side is rapidly evolving and even every month, there are new technologies. The decision to install solar power in a home depends on several factors, of course including 'for the love of the environment'. The primary concern is the cost, which I would say has gone down dramatically in the past few years. And if we are choosing between conventional gensets and solar power systems for your home, it would perhaps be useful to do a comparative analysis. Offhand, it would look like this (on a scoring scale of 1-3, with 3 being the highest positive score):

Energy is eternal delight

Makati City Hall

“Addressing Climate Change through Energy Efficiency Investments”

Message by

Hon. Naderev M. Saño

Commissioner

Climate Change Commission
February 2, 2011

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Honorable Mayor Junjun Binay

His Excellency Ambassador Stephen Lillie

Distinguished guests, colleagues in public service, esteemed friends from the academe, comrades from civil society, fellow stewards of nature, believers in community empowerment, friends, ladies and gentlemen …

A pleasant morning to everyone. Magandang umaga po. Isang maka-kalikasang umaga sa inyong lahat.

At the onset, please allow me to thank the British Embassy and the City of Makati for inviting the Climate Change Commission on the occasion of this very timely and noteworthy Forum.

The international community continues to reflect on the planetary crisis as many communities around the world continue to confront the impacts of climate change. The political debate was directed towards finding a global agreement at the Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico last December. There was significant progress, not the least towards recognizing the importance of  global and local actions especially in the context of the intensifying impacts of climate change.

It goes without saying that climate change is the greatest challenge that humanity faces. When faced with a challenge, we attempt to find answers and I would view this Forum as an excellent opportunity for us to engage in meaningful conversation on the ways to move forward. 

Give a man a fishing business and he will overfish the oceans.

International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change

Message by

Hon. Naderev M. Saño

Commissioner

Climate Change Commission
February 1, 2011

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At the onset, please allow me to thank the CHED and DENR for partnering with the Climate Change Commission on the occasion of this International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Last year, the international community continued to reflect on the planetary crisis as many communities around the world confronted the impacts of climate change. The political debate was directed towards finding a global agreement at the Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico. There was significant progress, not the least towards recognizing the importance of biodiversity and the impacts of climate change, also as Parties congregated in Nagoya, Japan for the Convention on Biodiversity Conference of Parties.

2010 was also the International Year of Biodiversity which provided an opportunity to stress the linkage between biodiversity and climate change and to encourage integration and convergence of the political agenda on both issues.

It goes without saying that climate change is the greatest challenge that humanity faces. When faced with a challenge, we attempt to find answers and I would view this Conference as one of those endeavors to find answers.

We all know biodiversity is the basic foundation of all life on Earth. Now, climate change is such a force that seriously threatens biodiversity at a scale that none of us have ever imagined. As climate change threatens the basic foundation of life on Earth, we need to come to terms with this challenge. I tell you now, it will be the end of the world as we know it.