Climate and human rights advocates begin their 30-day solidarity walk for Haiyan 10th anniversary

Manila, 8 October 2023– In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan’s (locally known as Yolanda) historic landfall in the Philippines, 12 core Climate Walkers and supporters from a diverse coalition of climate and human rights advocates began their solidarity walk from Manila to Tacloban for the Climate Justice Walk 2023: A People’s Journey for Climate Justice.[1] Walking from historic Luneta Park in Manila, the 30-day walk pays tribute to the more than 6,000 lives lost to Typhoon Haiyan- the most powerful storm of 2013 that devastated 44 Philippine provinces, with Tacloban bearing much of the storm’s fury.

This year’s Climate Justice Walk will retrace the steps of the first climate walk held in 2014, commencing at Kilometer Zero in Rizal Park, Manila and concluding at ‘Ground Zero’ of Haiyan’s impact in Tacloban. The 1000-kilometer journey on foot and on bicycles will culminate on November 7, 2023, the eve of the Haiyan 10th anniversary, with the Climate Walkers expected to meet and converge with local storm survivors and impacted communities as they cross the iconic San Juanico bridge on their way to Tacloban.

This solemn walk is a powerful testament to the 16 million Filipinos profoundly affected by Haiyan’s devastation, amplifying the call for Climate Justice and demanding urgent action from world leaders to address the climate crisis on behalf of vulnerable countries like the Philippines.

Naderev “Yeb” Saño, Lead Walker and Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia said:
“Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded, has been pushed back into memory. The importance of conscious and intentional global ambition is all the more urgent as more and more people are reeling from the climate emergency’s impacts. The statistics for people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods as a result of climate change are continuously rising. Filipinos refuse to accept the vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. We also refuse to accept that we are reduced to numbers, so it is our aim to remind the whole world.”

With the recent surge in extreme weather events across the globe– from torrential rains that caused massive flooding in Libya, Greece, Hong Kong, and most recently in the US city of New York, to record-breaking wildfires ravaging forests in Canada, Russia, and the US state Hawaii– the urgency of climate action has never been clearer or more dire.

The Climate Justice Walk is supporting the wave of climate litigation cases worldwide, including the Philippine Commission on Human Rights’ landmark inquiry that found legal grounds to hold big fossil fuel companies and other corporate entities accountable for their climate-destroying business models that lead to human rights harms.[2] The walk demands world governments to intensify their ambition for the Global Stocktake, mobilize essential resources for the Loss and Damage Fund of the UNFCCC, and elevate the call for climate reparations.

Joshua Villalobos, DAKILA Climate Campaign Lead said:
“DAKILA has long stood in solidarity with Climate Justice advocates, championing sustainable and equitable solutions to address the climate crisis. We also call on the Philippine government to officially declare a climate emergency. It’s high time we hold those responsible for the climate crisis accountable and redirect our priorities towards addressing this emergency rather than funneling resources into confidential funds. We emphasize that our dire situation transcends mere environmental concerns; it is a complex socio-political issue that demands a comprehensive and swift response.”

Ian Rivera, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) National Coordinator said:
“We have a fast-closing window of opportunity to save humanity from the worsening impacts of climate change. The Climate Justice Walk reminds the world of the historical responsibility of the rich developed countries to act with ambition and to shift to a rapid-just energy- transition. There is no other solution to the crisis but governments pursuing a path to Climate Justice and democracy and ending  inequality. Failure would mean placing the Filipino people at harm’s way and perpetuating the injustice already being experienced by those who are reeling from the impacts of the climate crisis.”

Rodne Galicha, Executive Director of Living Laudato Si’ said:
“We cannot not and must not forget what happened ten years ago when nature itself expressed its wrath due to the abuses of the very few. Thousands of people died, millions lost livelihoods and opportunities to have better lives; and until now, the threat of more losses and damages is still inevitable. We are sending this strong message that each and every step done together with genuine justice and equity, especially to the most vulnerable, shall be a quantum leap to reduce further impacts of the climate crisis.”

Following the Climate Justice Walk, other activities will be organised in Manila and Tacloban by environmental and civil society groups to also pay tribute to Haiyan survivors and to put the spotlight on the climate agenda. The Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace’s iconic ship, is making its way to the Philippines to be in solidarity with Filipino climate-impacted communities demanding Climate Justice.

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Learn more about Climate Justice Walk 2023 Story
Launch photos and video here 

Notes:
[1] The Climate Walk first began in 2014 as a solidarity walk for the people of Tacloban who were still reeling from the devastating impacts a year after the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan. The CSO and interfaith walk was led by Naderev “Yeb” Saño, then a Climate Negotiator for the Philippines at the UN Climate Conference of Parties.
 
Supporting the Climate Justice Walk 2023: A People’s Caravan for Climate Justice are Bikers United Movement (B.U.M.), DAKILA, FundLife, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Living Laudato Si, PMCJ, and the different Archdioceses from Manila to Leyte.

[2] The group of 47 investor-owned corporations named in the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines petition includes BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ENI, ExxonMobil, Glencore, OMV, Repsol, Sasol, Shell, Suncor, Total and RWE. These “Carbon Majors” have been historically known to have the largest contributions to global emissions. 

Media contacts:
Therese Salvador, Communications Coordinator for Greenpeace Southeast AsiaM: +639178228734 E: [email protected]