Legarda calls for shift to ‘low-carbon’ lifestyle

A low-carbon lifestyle entails eating more of local, plant-based and in-season food, because food that comes from distant places uses more energy for transportation and preservation, resulting to greater carbon emissions, said Senator Loren Legarda on Thursday.

Speaking during a round table discussion on Low Carbon Economy, Legarda also noted that a shift to a low-carbon lifestyle would also mean a shift to indigenous and renewable energy sources.

She said this means that people should consider reasonable energy consumption, adopt energy-efficient transport modes like walking, biking and taking public transport; maximize the use of natural light and wind flow in house design; and to build rainwater catchment recycling systems.

“We should strive for a zero waste economy where the output of each resource use is converted into input for another use. We can pre-cycle by avoiding buying unnecessary goods, repairing electronics and appliances, and patronizing recycled products,” said Legarda.

She also cited the need to develop livelihood programs using recycled waste materials.

“These practices do not demand much from us. We just have to take that first crucial step of actually taking action,” she said.

The senator, who has been pushing measures to minimize the effects of climate change, also underscored the need to reverse the global warming trend. She said the extreme weather events we are experiencing threaten our basic human rights: food, health, potable water, decent shelter, and even life itself.

Based on a study by the Asian Development Bank, the country stands to lose six percent of its GDP annually by 2100 if it disregards climate change risks.

The private sector is likewise threatened by climate change. Legarda said changing weather patterns and extreme weather events could also cause business interruption and infrastructure damage.

“It affects operating costs, markets for products and availability of raw materials,” also stated Legarda in the roundtable discussion.

Some of the speakers during the discussion include Ambassador Asif Ahmad of the British embassy in Manila; Matt Notingham, Low Carbon Growth Officer, Science and Innovation and Climate Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and Atty. Michael Toledo, a Chevening Alumnus and Senior VP for Public Affairs and Regulatory Affairs at Philex Mining Corporation.

Source: Manila Standard Today