Philippine president: We need to be more active vs. climate change

GMANews (Philippines): While the Philippines cannot be considered a “villain" in climate change, it must be more active in reducing greenhouse gas while adapting to climate change, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Friday night.

Speaking at the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention in Sydney, Mrs Arroyo said Filipinos must learn and adapt the technology, policies and economic tools that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Countries like the Philippines contribute less than 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. So we are not a villain as far as climate change is concerned," Mrs Arroyo said.

“They call our kind of country a climate taker rather than a climate maker. So domestically for us more than working to reduce greenhouse gas, what’s important for us is how to adapt to the climate change," she said. She added: “And that is adaptation strategies, and that is what we need. It’s more important than reduction. Still, reduction is important to the extent that we can contribute."

On the other hand, she said that since the Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world after the US, it can also contribute by sharing its experience in developing clean alternative energy sources like geothermal power.

The President also warned of security implications of climate change, citing the drought in Australia that has affected its milk exports. “Australia is already suffering from climate change. Milk production has gone down by 10 percent. Therefore, the price of milk in the Philippines has gone up. So we have adverse affects of climate change and we have to deal with them," she said….