Green acts, lifestyle change for Climate Change resilience

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 25, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Saying that the country is already experiencing the adverse effects of global warming and climate change, Presidential Assistant for Climate Change, the Honorable Elisea Gozun, enjoined the public to go into mitigation and adaptation activities.

Secretary Gozun made the pronouncement as the speaker in the recently held Climate Change Forum and Greening the Environment activity initiated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Eastern Visayas. The Presidential Assistant for Climate Change who happens to be a former Environment Secretary underscored that humans are contributory to the release of greenhouse gases which is the cause of climate change.

Thus, she called on the public to think of ways on how to realign their day to day activities making sure that they do not become greenhouse producers.

The former DENR Secretary said that there are many ways to mitigate the adverse effects of Climate Change. She enumerated the green acts for the environment, among which are conserving energy and water; improving energy efficiency; shift to alternative, renewable fuel (no fossil fuel); improving/supporting mass transport system; encouraging more walking and biking (non-motorized transit); controlling urban sprawl – more compact, multiple use development; composting, recycling and reusing (Ecological Solid Waste Management); stopping the burning of wastes or garbage.

Secretary Gozun is actually proposing a lifestyle change to address Climate Change. After all, the governance of Climate Change rests not only in the hands of government officials but in the hands of every consumer.

This is the reason why the Presidential Assistant for Climate Change cited Director Diosdao Mendoza and the entire BIR Eastern Visayas family for spearheading the activity.

“There is a need to bring down the discussion of Climate Change down to each and every citizen, the consumers,” Secretary Gozun said. The real people in power are the bands of action oriented people who have the capacity to brainwash their circle of influence to make better lifestyle changes, she added.

Reducing the use of body mists or body sprays, or hair sprays can help mitigate the adverse effects of Climate Change, the Secretary told the college students who were present during the Forum.

She said the mere turning off of the faucet while brushing ones teeth, can conserve the precious water which is also in danger because of Climate Change effects. Guzon called on the public to put water in a glass when toothbrushing to conserve water.

The mere act of taking out plugs of appliances not in use saves 10-20% of energy consumption, she added.

Turning off lights which are not being used. Electric companies charge double for energy consumption during peak times, unknown to many consumers.

Painting the ceiling or roofing in a light color makes it absorb less heat, therefore, keeping the space cooler.

The Secretary pointed out that even the construction of houses and buildings must made with Climate Change in mind. Today, the stilt house and the green house are the in things again.