Global Climate Change and the Guardians of Planet Earth

Yehey!! I can feel again the sweltering heat of the sun and the sweet smile of Mr. Sun after the long torrential downpour last August 7, 8, and 9, 2012. I am thankful that our house was not affected by the disastrous effects of the knee-deep flood here in Manila (in some areas, it was almost neck-deep) brought about by the southwest monsoon. Nevertheless, as I sat comfortably before my laptop while enjoying the announced suspension of work among government offices and surfing the web during the whole rainy days, I asked myself whether these scenarios which we experienced these days were the ill-effects of climate change or the same had something to do with our lack of awareness or sense of responsibility as individual citizens of planet Earth. 

Upon staying my eyes glued over the pictures of flood in the cyberspace, I could not help but think of the prevailing global climate change and its adverse effects to fellow countrymen and beloved country Philippines. 

Courtesy of talakayankalusugan.com

  Indeed, our country is replete with various environmental laws to combat climate change in compliance with the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In fact, in 2001 as an offshoot of the country’s ratification on the said Convention, the Philippine Senate enacted Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act to address climate change and encourages community members, local government units, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste and to adopt waste minimization measures and the best environmental practice in ecological waste management.

Courtesy of ph.news.yahoo.gov

However, in spite of this, perennial flood problem in the country has continuously been a major issue every rainy season.  It has also often wreaked havoc to properties and even claimed lives of innocent men, women, and children, including those of animals. 

Courtesy of interaksyon.com  Yes, even animals should be rescued.

Every time we see these sad plights of our fellowmen –those who wade themselves in the sea of murky water and group of families who seek refuge to various evacuation centers  - we have to realize at the end of the day that the Planet Earth is not a recycle bin or a big trash can. We have to prime ourselves to initiate “Reduce, Re-Use, and Recycle” under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and sincerely cooperate in our own little way with the local government units and national government where we respectively belong by segregating solid waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable matter and re-use or recycle the same into something new.

As guardian of Planet Earth, discipline is an essential ingredient in making this world a better place to live in. Protecting our environment is not the government’s duty alone; it is also our responsibility. “What can I do to help the government instead of asking what can the government do to us.” is a thought worthy to ponder on during this cold night.

Hmmm …. I’ve got to go netizens out there!! I can hear thunderstorms tonight heralding another heavy downpour and I think it is time to hit the hay. But before I sleep soundly in my comfy bed, I would like to say “Thank you” for finding time to read my thoughts in the blogosphere.