Climate Crisis and Climate Justice
A balanced climate is essential to life. But with the climate crisis impacting more and more Filipinos each year with rising temperatures, longer droughts, heavier rains, and stronger storms, we need to work towards solutions that ensure a more sustainable future for us all.
506.1 billion
pesos in estimated losses and damages from climate-related hazards from 2010 to 2020
Source: Department of Finance
Only 47
oil, gas, and cement companies are largely responsible for the worsening climate crisis
Source: Heede (2013)
The problem of climate change
Our climate is collapsing. Climate change and global warming used to be things we only read about, abstract problems too far off in the future to worry about. Now, it’s something that’s felt intensely, especially here in the Philippines. We see it with every passing year—each summer is hotter than the last, stronger typhoons are ravaging our islands, and the intervals between extreme weather events are getting shorter.
This has led to immense losses in human life and biodiversity, as well as structural damage to not just public and private infrastructure but also to our natural heritage. And sadly, the most affected are the marginalized communities who are the least able to cope with floods, storm surges, rising sea levels, among other climate impacts.
What we must not forget is that the current climate crisis is a man-made one, with multinational corporations that deal with fossil fuels as the biggest contributors. Major culprits include the oil, energy, and cement companies, which are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions and the major cause of global warming and climate change. The more they drill for and burn oil, gas, and coal for profit, the more they contribute to air, land, and water pollution, devastating vulnerable communities both directly and due to effects caused by the destruction of the environment.
Here, we see that the ongoing climate crisis is a cross-cutting issue, affecting not just the environment but also social justice, the local and global economies, and even global security. As such, it is our shared responsibility to work together to minimize the risks and curb the crisis for a more climate-resilient future.
The solutions for a climate-resilient future
Our mission is to not just make people aware of how we can protect our environment but also empower and bring together fellow climate warriors to make our goal of a sustainable and climate-resilient future a reality.
Some of the areas Greenpeace has been focusing on to address the climate crisis include: advocating for climate justice through petitions and working with local communities to hold fossil fuel companies accountable by making them pay for the damage they have caused; pushing for more awareness and a just transition to renewable energy such as solar and wind energy; and strengthening our climate resilience efforts with the help of LGUs and communities to ensure that they are not only prepared for climate emergencies but are also given reparations for previous damages.
Some of our activities and campaign wins over the years include organized blockades to impede the operations of fossil fuel giants like Shell Pilipinas Corporation, the 30-day Climate Justice Walk in 2023 which paid tribute to the 6,000 lives lost to Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the Climate Reparations Ship Tour with the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, the People’s Museum of Climate Justice, and the landmark Climate Change and Human Rights Inquiry in the Philippines into corporate responsibility for the climate crisis, among many others.
How you can help
Join us in the journey towards climate justice by taking simple actions such as signing petitions, and joining climate campaigns. Together, we can create a ripple of change that will positively impact future generations.
