Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos
US President Trump’s declaration of his country’s withdrawal from one of the most significant and redeeming treaties that humanity has ever crafted, the Paris Agreement, is easily one of the most criticized actions made by a sitting head of government.
The condemnation was swift, global and went viral in social media. The decision was made despite a national survey where majority of the citizens in each state support the Paris Agreement.
The Paris accord is the “first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal” signed by 195 countries in December, 2015, which included the Philippines and the US, under then President Obama who was one of the leading lights in the crucial negotiation phase.
It is described as “a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.”
Germany’s Prime Minister Angela Merkel reportedly said that “this decision cannot and will not deter all of us who feel obliged to protect our Earth.”
Germany is an inspiring leader in mainstreaming renewable energy economy. “On April 30, Germany established a new national record for renewable energy use.
Part of that day (during the long May 1 weekend), 85% of all the electricity consumed in Germany was being produced from renewables such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power.”
The newly-installed President of France, Emmanuel Marcon, committed not to abandon the commitment to combat climate change and exhorted everyone “to make our planet great again.”
New York, California and Washington pledged to uphold the climate pact and urged other states to do the same.
Even the business sector, traditionally looked upon as a bastion of conservatism, are stepping up and joined the global denunciation of President Trump’s action. One adviser resigned as an advisory board member of the Trump administration in protest.
Michael Bloomberg pledged through the Bloomberg Philanthropies “up to $15 million to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will likely lose a comparable amount in funding from the US as a result of the American withdrawal. The UNFCCC works principally to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.”
Bloomberg serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change.
Bloomberg also co-authored with Carl Pope a New York Times best seller, “Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet.”
He has led initiatives for cities and citizens to be part of solutions in addressing climate challenges.
The Trump announcement came at a time when the Philippines hosted, for the first time, the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law’s 15th Colloquium.
Organized by a member of the Academy, the University of Cebu, with a theme “Stories of the World We Want, and the Law as its Pathway,” the hugely successful international event was participated in by 180 representatives from 30 countries from May 29-June 3, in Cebu.
Amid the constant challenges to the resiliency of our natural life support systems, it was a well-deserved celebration and sharing of environmental law “success stories” from around the world in the form of laws, regulations, policies and initiatives, which resulted on positive environmental outcomes for the people and the planet.
There was a wide range of topics which include Protecting Nature – the Land, Air and Sea, Caring for our Oceans and its Biodiversity.
Adapting to Climate Change and Disasters, Ensuring Sustainable Forests and Water, Addressing Air and Water Pollution, Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage, Rehabilitating Mangroves, Peat Lands and Wetlands, Protecting River Biodiversity, Enhancing Compliance and Law Enforcement, Sustainable Food and Livelihoods and Making Smart and Livable Cities.
It had a half-day workshop focusing on good practices in the teaching and learning of environmental law and platform for discussion of research work on “Protecting Nature in Conflicts & Building Peace: Success Stories in Conflicts & their Aftermaths.”
The Colloquium was made more meaningful with the participation of our highly esteemed public servants Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, the Ombudsman (ret.) Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio Morales and our dear (ret.) Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as Keynote speaker during the 13th Colloquium at the Atma Jaya Catholic University in Indonesia in 2015, proposed the University of Cebu as host of the subsequent Colloquium.
Tony Oposa, who ensured a distinctly Filipino flavor of the Colloquium, was “Chief of Party and Committee of Fun Chair.” His widely-acclaimed book, “Shooting Stars and Dancing Fish” was launched.
Our Ocean Hero, Norlan Pagal and Anna Oposa, Chief Mermaid of Save Philippines Sea, touched the hearts of the participants with their heartwarming stories.
Asian Development Bank teamed up anew with the Academy in conducting a Roundtable among the Environmental Law Champions trained under the joint “Train the Trainers” program and who participated in the Colloquium.
The 15th Colloquium was a serious discourse among scholars and specialists. But, the organizers made sure that fiesta-like celebrations capped each day’s event in partnership with the Provincial Government of Cebu and the Mandaue City government.
We commend the magnificent teamwork of the University of Cebu, led by Atty. Augusto Go and the Dean of the UC College of Law, Baldomero Estenzo, Liza Osorio, the Organizing Committee and the students and volunteer young lawyers, Aleth Nunez, Tara Rama, Jack Sarausad, Mirachelle Borracho, Euvic Ferrer, John Menguito and Kara Rama, and the partners.
Mabuhay!