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Greenpeace opens Climate Defenders Camp
as UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki Moon deplores world's carbon addiction
June 05, 2008
Child stands outside the Greenpeace Climate Defenders Camp to oppose the coal power plant construction in Iloilo City, central Philippines June 5, 2008. World Environment Day is celebrated today highlighted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s statement deploring the world’s addiction to fossil fuels like coal and oil.
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"The poor will be hardest hit by weather-related disasters and by soaring price inflation for staple foods, but even the richest nations face the prospect of economic recession and a world in conflict over diminishing resources. Mitigating climate change, eradicating poverty and promoting economic and political stability all demand the same solution: we must kick the carbon habit," said Ban Ki Moon in a statement.
The Philippines is ranked the top nation to be hit climate-related disasters in 2006 by the NGO Germanwatch. Yet despite being ravaged by some of the most powerful storms, floods and mudslides in recent years, the Philippine government is embarking on one of the most aggressive coal expansion plans in Asia.
"Our Climate Defenders Camp will gather support against the coal expansionist push by the Arroyo government. Coal contributes significantly to climate change and in turn ruins lives, livelihoods and communities with extreme weather events," said Jasper Inventor, Climate and Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
Since plans of coal-power plant construction in Iloilo were endorsed by President Arroyo, a coalition of thousands of residents, members of civil society group Responsible Illongos for Sustainable Energy (RISE), the Catholic church and its faithful, and Greenpeace have vehemently opposed it. They have demanded for clean energy sources and the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill, which would pave way for large-scale deployment of wind, solar, and biomass as energy sources for the country. The drive against coal and towards renewable energy in the Philippines also received a massive boost when the coal-free zone declaration by the governor of Albay province, the province worst hit by typhoons, mudslides and floods in the country, was followed by resolutions by Senators Pia Cayetano and Miguel Zubiri calling for programs promoting less dependence on coal and a shift towards renewable energy.
"The people of Iloilo want to see future developments that truly enrich our lives and environment powered by clean renewable energy. We are one with communities around the world who wish an end to our respective governments' addiction to coal," said Melvin Purzuelo, coordinator of RISE.
Burning coal is the single biggest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and a major cause of climate change. Coal emits 29% more carbon per unit of energy than oil and 80% more than gas.
Greenpeace flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, is sailing towards Iloilo and is expected to arrive this Friday to support the Climate Defenders Camp. The ship is in the Philippines to spearhead the Greenpeace "Quit Coal Tour" in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The tour aims to promote solutions to stop climate change--an energy revolution away from the use of climate-damaging coal, and a massive shift to renewable energy.
The Philippines is ranked the top nation to be hit climate-related disasters in 2006 by the NGO Germanwatch. Yet despite being ravaged by some of the most powerful storms, floods and mudslides in recent years, the Philippine government is embarking on one of the most aggressive coal expansion plans in Asia.
"Our Climate Defenders Camp will gather support against the coal expansionist push by the Arroyo government. Coal contributes significantly to climate change and in turn ruins lives, livelihoods and communities with extreme weather events," said Jasper Inventor, Climate and Energy Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
Since plans of coal-power plant construction in Iloilo were endorsed by President Arroyo, a coalition of thousands of residents, members of civil society group Responsible Illongos for Sustainable Energy (RISE), the Catholic church and its faithful, and Greenpeace have vehemently opposed it. They have demanded for clean energy sources and the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill, which would pave way for large-scale deployment of wind, solar, and biomass as energy sources for the country. The drive against coal and towards renewable energy in the Philippines also received a massive boost when the coal-free zone declaration by the governor of Albay province, the province worst hit by typhoons, mudslides and floods in the country, was followed by resolutions by Senators Pia Cayetano and Miguel Zubiri calling for programs promoting less dependence on coal and a shift towards renewable energy.
"The people of Iloilo want to see future developments that truly enrich our lives and environment powered by clean renewable energy. We are one with communities around the world who wish an end to our respective governments' addiction to coal," said Melvin Purzuelo, coordinator of RISE.
Burning coal is the single biggest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and a major cause of climate change. Coal emits 29% more carbon per unit of energy than oil and 80% more than gas.
Greenpeace flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, is sailing towards Iloilo and is expected to arrive this Friday to support the Climate Defenders Camp. The ship is in the Philippines to spearhead the Greenpeace "Quit Coal Tour" in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The tour aims to promote solutions to stop climate change--an energy revolution away from the use of climate-damaging coal, and a massive shift to renewable energy.
The Climate Defenders Camp is open to the public everyday from June 5 to mid-June, 9AM to 5PM, at the Jaro Cathedral grounds in Iloilo City.
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