Legarda to Launch Summit of Conscience for the Climate in Manila

In a bid to make the Philippines a frontliner in the fight against climate change and its impacts, Senator Loren Legarda will lead the launch of the Summit of Conscience for the Climatein Manila on October 9, 2015, 9:00 a.m., at the Philippine Senate.

Legarda, UNISDR Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the Summit of Conscience for the Climate aims to raise the consciousness of Filipinos that climate change is a personal issue affecting every citizen, and to challenge each one to act arising from one’s individual conscience.

“Climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge that human beings face in this era, which demands changes in values, beliefs and ways of living, to do what is right and good for the environment. The Philippines is one of the least responsible for causing climate change but we are the most vulnerable to its impacts,” said Legarda.

“Through this Summit of Conscience for the Climate, which is an adaptation of the first Summit held in Paris last July, we aim to inspire Filipinos to act against climate change by caring for our environment and likewise inspire citizens of other nations to do the same,” she added.

The Summit is being organized by the Senate Committee on Climate Change, which Legarda chairs, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the French Embassy in Manila.

The activity will gather leaders and representatives across sectors, i.e. faith-based organizations, civil society, the academe and national government agencies, to ponder on the questions“Why do I care?” and “How do I show that I care”? It will elicit personal stories, beliefs and commitments in protecting and saving our planet. Participants will be encouraged to sign theCall to Conscience for the Climate.

Speakers include DENR Secretary Ramon Paje; Commissioner Dingdong Dantes of the National Youth Commission; Councilor Alfredo Arquillano, Jr., UN Sasakawa Awardee for Disaster Risk Reduction; Rebecca Ortega of the Brahma Kumaris Philippines; Dr. Julian Meimban III of Iglesia ni Cristo; Venerable Miao Jing Shih, International Buddhist Progress Society; Imam Norodin Nawal of the Bangsamoro Religious Coordinating Council; and a representative of Tebtebba Foundation.

Also expected to attend and speak are Dr. Alfredo Pascual, President of the University of the Philippines System; Dr. Antonio G.M. La Vina, Dean of Ateneo de Manila School of Government; Mother Earth Foundation Chairperson Sonia Mendoza; environmental lawyer Atty. Ipat Luna; and Filipino artist Kidlat Tahimik, among others.

This particular event will be the first of a series of similar summits to be held in different parts of the country—particularly in schools, universities, cities and municipalities.

The Summit of Conscience for the Climate in Manila is an adaptation of the first Summit held on July 21, 2015 in Paris, France where religious, political and cultural leaders, Nobel Peace laureates, former UN leaders, humanitarian and environmental activists gathered to influence everyone involved in the climate negotiations to decide and act for the sake of the planet and its inhabitants.

Legarda was the lone Philippine representative to the said Summit in Paris where she expressed her commitment to launch a Summit of Conscience for the Climate in the Philippines.