Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines – Ahead of this month’s global climate strikes, climate activist and super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) survivor Joanna Sustento[1], started an indefinite lone protest today in front of the Philippine headquarters of Shell to call for climate justice.
The action, supported by Greenpeace Philippines, is meant to highlight the huge role of fossil fuel companies, such as Shell, in fueling the climate crisis and the injustice and suffering experienced by vulnerable communities in the Philippines and around the world. Greenpeace is calling on Shell to wake up to the climate emergency, heed the call of communities for justice, and start a rapid and just transition to phase out fossil fuels.
“Millions of youth all over the world are taking action this week to demand positive and urgent action to address the climate crisis,” said Sustento. “Today, I’m adding my voice and standing up to Shell on behalf of communities who experience the climate emergency in their daily lives. Many of us have lost our homes, families, and livelihoods. Many more communities are at risk. We need to hold companies accountable for fueling climate change and raise the alarm for climate justice,” Sustento said.
Shell is one of many investor-owned “carbon major” companies being investigated for their responsibility for human rights harms stemming from the impacts of climate change. Among the other companies are ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron and Total. Climate impacted Filipinos, concerned citizens and non-profit organizations representing the interests of vulnerable communities in the Philippines are among the 17 other signatories who filed a petition with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines[2] in 2015 to investigate these carbon majors.
“The world is in a climate emergency and the Filipino people are on the frontlines of this global crisis,” said Desiree Llanos Dee, Greenpeace Philippines climate justice campaigner. “Meanwhile, fossil fuel companies like Shell continue to rake in huge profits while the people and the planet suffer. But up to now, they are not held accountable for human rights violations resulting from the impacts of climate change. Shell needs to realize that business-as-usual isn’t an option anymore and that there is no future with fossil fuels.”
Notes to editors:
[1] Joanna Sustento, 28, has served as a voice for the people of Leyte and other climate-impacted communities after losing her parents, most of her family members, and her home to super-typhoon Yolanda in 2013. She has spoken in international climate meetings organized by the UN, Greenpeace offices, and other international organizations. While still active in promoting the rights of climate-impacted communities, she recently joined Greenpeace Philippines as a public engagement campaigner for Visayas and Mindanao.
[2] The Commission held inquiry hearings in Manila, London, New York, and near Amsterdam and is now expected to issue its findings by the end of the year. If successful, the investigation will result in the world’s first legal finding of corporate responsibility for climate change and will likely trigger other investigations and judicial actions in the Philippines and elsewhere. Instead of showing up to actively participate in crafting meaningful solutions to this climate crisis, respondent Carbon Majors unashamedly chose to ignore the public hearings and petitioners’ calls for action.
More information on the climate change and human rights case:
https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/press/1237/the-climate-change-and-human-rights-petition/
Media Contacts:
JP Agcaoili, Communications Manager, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63 949 889 1334
Desiree Llanos Dee, Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63 998 595 9733
Filipinos are enduring the worst impacts of climate change, caused by greedy corporations. It’s time to hold them to account!
Discussion
I guess typhons and earthquakes and hurricane were not around before Shell oil! So when did all this global warming begin, as soon as the ice age ended! They have said we've had a few minor ones since but, earth has had temperature changes since time here began. I seems to remember it was very very very hot back then. I wonder why it cooled? How long have people lived here on earth. How long has Shell been here too? Just asking!!