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What is good for people is good for the environment
Submitted by Contributor on Wed, 04/28/2010 - 13:00.
As an environmentalist, I do not have much to celebrate on Earth Day. Statistics on the Philippine environment continue to be alarming with only 800,000 hectares left of our primary forests, only 3% of our coral reefs in good condition and with El Nino/climate change devastating thousands of hectares of farm lands and pushing communities to the brink of starvation.
If there is any critical environmental issue this Earth Day, it is the May 10 elections. For so long, those in power have neglected, nay, even pushed for the destruction of the environment via the Timber License Agreements (TLAs), the Mining Act of 1995, the JPEPA, use of GMOs on food, proposals to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power plant, and a next-to-nothing plan to address climate change, among others.
The critical state of the Philippine environment cannot afford leaders who will continue the government’s destructive policies on mining, forestry, agriculture and fisheries. We need leaders who have a firm grasp of how to develop the country taking into consideration the people’s needs and environmental protection.
If at all, do such candidates exist?
In a recent survey by the League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE), young environmentalists ranked candidates according to their environmental track record. Those found to be ‘greenest’ were: Sen. Jamby Madrigal (for President), Loren Legarda (for Vice-President), and Congressman Satur Ocampo and Congresswoman Liza Maza (in a tie for Senator). See online study at www.earthislandph.org.
Except for Legarda, those who ranked ‘greenest’ are not known to be the usual environmental advocate. A closer look at the track records of these candidates show that those who do more for the people–specifically grassroots such as peasants, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples, are actually those doing the most for the environment. It is clear that what is good for the people is good for the environment, and vice versa.
The next generations have a whole future to lose to environmental plunder and corruption if they do not make the right choice on the leaders of today. This Earth Day, our VOTE is our best chance to save our environment and our future.
Trixie Concepcion
Regional Director, Earth Island Institute (EII)
Convenor, League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE)
Mobile: 0918-6293648
As an environmentalist, I do not have much to celebrate on Earth Day. Statistics on the Philippine environment continue to be alarming with only 800,000 hectares left of our primary forests, only 3% of our coral reefs in good condition and with El Nino/climate change devastating thousands of hectares of farm lands and pushing communities to the brink of starvation.If there is any critical environmental issue this Earth Day, it is the May 10 elections. For so long, those in power have neglected, nay, even pushed for the destruction of the environment via the Timber License Agreements (TLAs), the Mining Act of 1995, the JPEPA, use of GMOs on food, proposals to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power plant, and a next-to-nothing plan to address climate change, among others.
The critical state of the Philippine environment cannot afford leaders who will continue the government’s destructive policies on mining, forestry, agriculture and fisheries. We need leaders who have a firm grasp of how to develop the country taking into consideration the people’s needs and environmental protection.
If at all, do such candidates exist?
In a recent survey by the League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE), young environmentalists ranked candidates according to their environmental track record. Those found to be ‘greenest’ were: Sen. Jamby Madrigal (for President), Loren Legarda (for Vice-President), and Congressman Satur Ocampo and Congresswoman Liza Maza (in a tie for Senator). See online study at www.earthislandph.org.
Except for Legarda, those who ranked ‘greenest’ are not known to be the usual environmental advocate. A closer look at the track records of these candidates show that those who do more for the people–specifically grassroots such as peasants, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples, are actually those doing the most for the environment. It is clear that what is good for the people is good for the environment, and vice versa.
The next generations have a whole future to lose to environmental plunder and corruption if they do not make the right choice on the leaders of today. This Earth Day, our VOTE is our best chance to save our environment and our future.
Trixie Concepcion
Regional Director, Earth Island Institute (EII)
Convenor, League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE)
Mobile: 0918-6293648
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