“It has been long proven by many scientists, experts, and fisherfolk that reclamation is catastrophic to marine and aquatic ecosystems. On top of its environmental impacts, reclamation entails massive displacement of fisherfolk and a consequent threat to local fish supply.”
Quezon City is among the world’s largest cities that will be exposed to severe flooding and drought. But families residing in urban poor communities like Tatalon are not getting sufficient help.
The Philippine courts have some catching up to do.
“Climate crisis is getting more real, and what’s more real is the devastation getting stronger each year, with most of the vulnerable communities heavily affected. Super-typhoon Odette (International name Rai) slapped its strength on farming and fishing communities in the Visayas.”
For an organic practitioner in Santa Magdalena town in Sorsogon, he said there is demand for organic rice but the supply is lacking.
For organic farmers, innovation starts with seeds.
“This is worse than Ondoy. The pandemic still rages on, which makes it even more difficult for us.” — Marikina resident
The annual report also noted that mining-involved killings are highest in the Philippines. Named as “deadliest sector,” it killed 50 defenders worldwide, of whom 16 were from the Philippines.
If we do not fight back, no one will be left to fight for us and the future generations. If we do not push back, the world that sustain our very lives will be pushed to the brink by tyrants and demagogues like Duterte.
The plight of the Tacloban 5 is but the latest case in a deepening human rights crisis faced by people working to protect their lands, the environment, and our climate. The Philippines was declared the deadliest country in the world for environmental defenders in 2019.
“The unprecedented Australian bush fires is the strongest warning yet that the impacts of climate change we thought we will be facing 20 or 50 years later is already a catastrophic reality today.”