Environmental activists in the Philippines called for a “safe and fair future” as world leaders opened the 27th UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Egypt this week.
“Feeling safe and seen is central to the wellbeing of us all and the planet and this is what COP27 needs to be about, and can be about if leaders pick up their game,” said Yeb Sano, executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, in a statement.
He said “justice, accountability, and finance for the countries hardest hit by the climate crisis” are three of the “key components to success” not only during the talks but in the actions afterwards.
“We call on leaders to step up to build the trust and plans we need, to take the opportunity to work together for the collective well-being of people and planet,” said Sano.
Greenpeace is joining the conference in Egypt and has launched a youth campaign dubbed “Party 4 the Planet” — a solidarity dance challenge through which young Filipino climate advocates can support the demand for climate justice in a lighthearted, creative manner.
Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Virginia Benosa-Llorin said that even through digital means, the youth can greatly contribute to addressing climate change, by calling on the government and the rest of the world to ensure “a safe and fair future for generations to come.”
“Filipinos have already been suffering from climate impacts for decades, and this year’s typhoon season has been particularly hard for communities,” said Llorin.
She said climate polluting companies and countries must be held accountable, and be made to pay “for the harms that their businesses have caused.”
Greenpeace also called on the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to follow through with the recommendations of the Final Report on the National Inquiry on Climate Change issued by the Commission on Human Rights, which underscores the accountability of climate polluting corporations.
The group has also been stressing the need to listen to community climate justice champions and bring their demands to COP27.
