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As expected, Malacanang blinked. By issuing Executive Order (EO) 839 freezing the price of oil, GMA and the oil industry giants headed towards a collision course- with “dire consequences,” such as a looming shortage, cried the affected sectors. A highly-respected eco-warrior said that the battle royale, exposes the real color of the Department of Energy (DOE)– “black as crude oil.”
Without consultation, the unpopular sitting President issued EO 839. A favorite partner in the advocacy opined that this decision was made to gain “pogi” points, GMA clearly smarting from criticisms for her administrations’ inept and anemic response in the aftermath of Ondoy.
Did GMA, a Ph.D. Economics degree holder, had senior moments and forget that any intervention in the supply and demand chain, unless absolutely necessary and for a clearly limited duration, will have serious implications to our fossil-fuel addicted way of life?
We might be in a state of collective denial as to the actual health of the planet. But, we cannot deny that this much-loved country is still highly dependent on oil and coal – both greenhouse gas polluting fuels. Despite climate change, the rabid supporters of the industry have blurted and will forever say, “How can we possibly survive without the two,” conveniently forgetting that fundamental law of the land unconditionally requires state agencies to ensure the people’s right to a healthful and balanced ecology, “in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
The “battle of the biggies” revealed how, despite the Constitution and the laws passed by Congress, the clear mandate of the DOE to use indigenous energy source, which do not “sacrifice ecological concerns”. the policy climate most favorable to green-house gas emitting oil and coal industries is clearly the favored mix of energy sources, for our day-to-day existence. While Germany, Denmark, the United States and developing countries such as the Maldives, Vietnam have committed to shift to clean and renewable energy, our DOE, led by a Secretary whose appointment has been bypassed for as many times by the Commission on Appointments, is still busy granting coal exploration contracts all over the country.
Why indeed control the price of oil, Madame President? Let it soar - for the children’s sake. It is high time for Congress to impose carbon tax for polluting and carbon-emitting sectors. The higher the cost, the cleaner the air will be. Less smoke-belching and gas-guzzling vehicles and dilapidated trucks on the road translate to a better quality of life for all. If prices are way too high for you and me, we will then be forced to think of adaptation measures –as a clear response to climate crisis.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines adaptation as the "adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.”
Local stakeholders will hopefully look at mass transit system, bike lanes and wider pathways as the infrastructures of the future. More roads will be off-limits to cars and buses, and eventually transformed into lanes for families to walk, as Europe and some states in the United States are doing. Employers will encourage car pooling or even tele-commuting, and use the smart grid for a more energy-efficient conscious generation.A low-carbon economy will hopefully result. That indeed would be the best legacy that an enlightened President will leave to this country.
My favorite lawyer, Mocring Barcenas, looked at the short-lived stand-off as “a blessing in disguise. The oil crisis will sharpen the need for alternative sources of energy that are environment friendly.”
We have had oil crisis in the 70s, 90s and the past year when fuel prices sky-rocketed. Congress crafted numerous statutes, including the Renewable Energy Act, for us to let go of our fossil-fuel addiction and ensure a healthy air to breathe. Yet, the solutions are still not implemented by the Executive Department for sheer lack of political leadership, and indifference of the local government officials and the people. Hopefully the next President and his cabinet and the local elective officials will focus on a clearer roadmap for clean and renewable energy solutions.
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Watch-out for these eco-events this week:
On November 26, Thursday, Mr. Larry Lohman is the resource speaker in the Lecture-Forum entitled “A Dialogue on Climate Justice” at the AVR2, 8/F University of Cebu Banilad campus. Mr Lohman is an author of several book and works with The Corner House, a UK-based research and advocacy organization. Focus on the Global South-Philippines partners with UC College of Law, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter, Association of Law Students of the Philippines-Central Visayas, Global Legal Action on Climate Change and the Visayan Climate Action Network in bringing Mr. Lohman to Cebu.
Greenpeace sponsors the gala screening of the "Age of Stupid" (www.ageofstupid.net) on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 3, Cebu City. Tickets are sold at a minimal fee of Php 75.00 each (on a first come, first serve basis).
The “Age of Stupid” is a drama-documentary-animation hybrid, starring Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching archive footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?
This screening of “The Age of Stupid” is an opportunity and a challenge for us to take stock of the impacts of climate change to our people, and help contextualize the recent Ondoy tragedy. More importantly, the movie is a challenge for us to ensure that there is a global commitment to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impacts of runaway climate change, such as extreme weather events. Ticket reservations can be made through Amalie Obusan -- 0917 5849663, amalie.obusan@greenpeace.org,
Francis dela Cruz -- 0917 8542103, fdlcruz@greenpeace.org and Gelena Asis -- 0906 5519757
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Food for thought:
“One of the ironies of leadership is that you become a better leader by sharing whatever power you have, not by saving it all for yourself. You're meant to be a river, not a reservoir. If you use your power to empower others, your leadership will extend far beyond your grasp.” (http://www.theleadershipmovie.com/index.html)
