Multi-sectoral group holds forum on global warming AS YOU continue to burn anything from your surroundings, drive a smoke-belching vehicle and cut trees as if there is no tomorrow, you are a contributor to global warming. This, in a nutshell, was the message delivered by the lecturers of the first-ever forum on global warming in the province as they enjoined each individual to actively participate and get involved in saving Earth from further abuse and degradation. To instill awareness to the public about the hottest global issue today in the observance of the World Environment Day, the forum sought to generate a multi-sectoral effort to advocate pro-environment policies and guidelines for a sustainable protection of our natural resources. Addressing the issues on climate change, the presenters in the forum discussed the global warming topic with Dr. Felina Rosales, pollution control office, discussing causes of climate change; Shermon Cruz of the Green Ilocos Norte Network and Advocacy (GINNA) shedding light on the adaption/mitigation and impact of climate change; and Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Mariano V. Marcos II talking about the province in the context of global warming. Climate change is defined as a change in the weather condition which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activities that alter the composition of the atmosphere, and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods. It is referred to as “enhanced” greenhouse effect. Due to massive flooding, soil erosion, drought and the presence of open dumpsites in Ilocos Norte, environmentalists here pointed out that at least four major critical areas such as forest, water, coastal and waste management, which need immediate political and policy interventions. In view of this, Marcos II, who chairs the SP’s environment committee, called on the various sectors to work together for the environment. Marcos II, who along with a technical working group has worked hard for the passage of the 84-page Ilocos Norte Environment Code of 2007, expressed optimism for the sustainable protection of the environment through the holding of the Environment Summit where all local officials will come together to sign a covenant that will state that all and sundry would abide with the provisions of the Environment Code. “My hope is that everybody will pick up the courage to speak in very loud voices about the initiatives to mitigate climate change and not speak in whispers about who is illegally cutting our trees in the watershed areas, about the need to comply with the Clean Air Act and shift from a 2-stroke motorcycle to a 4-stroke, about the need to comply with our national laws governing solid waste management,” Marcos II said. The environment forum was held at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium on June 5 and was organized by GINNA in cooperation with the local-based Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the church, academic institutions, government and non-government organizations. The said activity is one of the major highlights of the month-long celebration of the environment month this June. Other activities lined up include tree-planting, visual and film presentation on global warming, media tours and information drive designed to solicit support in protecting Earth. Leilanie G. Adriano
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