Loren: Climate crisis is threat to our basic human rights

December 14, 2015

As this year’s observance of International Human Rights Day coincides with a critical climate change conference in Paris, Senator Loren Legarda stressed on Thursday (Dec. 10, 2015) the urgent need to address the climate crisis as a way of upholding basic human rights.

“The climate crisis is an all encompassing threat to our basic human rights – food, potable water, shelter, decent livelihood and life itself. If we are to uphold human rights, we must address climate change, not only by addressing its impacts but more importantly limiting global warming through deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Legarda, UN Global Champion for Resilience and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

Legarda reiterated that climate justice requires putting into place a human rights framework for climate change. “We must protect the rights of the must vulnerable people and communities. I am hopeful that the 2015 Paris climate agreement will recognize the natural and indispensable link between human rights and climate change,” she added.

Legarda added that what the present generation is able to do today will determine the fate of the next generation.

“The average global temperature has risen by 0.8°C since 1880 and we are already experiencing unprecedented extreme weather events. We cannot afford to reach 2°C or higher because it will cause large risks to food and water security, severe impacts on health, biodiversity and survival,” she said.

Source: Politics.com.ph