Environmental group calls for climate emergency amid extreme heat

An environmental group on Monday called for the declaration of a national climate emergency in the country due to the continuous temperature rise. 

The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said the sweltering heat called by the United Nations (UN) “global boiling” poses a risk not only to health but also to water supply and food security. 

“Kami ay nanawagan na magdeklara ng national climate emergency. Importante rin dun na may corresponding na pondo at allocation kasi di uubra dito yung ayuda lang,” said CEED executive director Gerry Arances in Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras”  report on Monday. 

(We call for the declaration of a national climate emergency. It is important that it has corresponding funding because subsidies won’t work in this situation.)

The latest bulletin of PAGASA showed at least 36 areas in the country are seen to experience dangerous levels of heat indices of up to 47°C on April 29. 

According to PAGASA Climate and Monitoring and Prediction Chief Ana Solis, the high temperatures could have been one of the country’s worst El Niño if the government failed to prepared. 

“Kasi historically nakikita natin yang mga maiinit na temperatura naitatala during strong El Niño episodes and then na are breach pa o nasu- surpass pa yung mga temperatura during that strong  El Niño episodes,” said Solis. 

(Historically, we recorded high temperatures during strong El Niño episodes. We are breaching those temperatures now.)

“So meaning, medyo pataas nang pataas talaga yung ating temperatura so ito na rin yung contribution sa global warming,” he added. 

(It means our recorded temperatures are increasing.)

At least seven provinces and more than 100 cities and municipalities have declared state of calamity due to the high heat.

The reported damage and losses to agriculture due to the warm temperature has reached around P4 billion.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it will prohibit the  “wasteful” use of water including car washing using hose.

“Practice ito dahil base sa projections ng PAGASA, at least 2 months of drought conditions. Kailangan malampasan itong May at June kaya kahit sapat pa ang tubig mag practice na tayo ng conservation,” said DENR Undersecretary CP David. 

(This is a practice because due to PAGASA projections, we have at least 2 months of drought conditions. We need to pass through May and June, so even if we have ample supply, we need to conserve.)

Meanwhile, the Department of Health advised the public to use alternative cooling techniques to fight the extreme heat without consuming too much water and power supply.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News