Cautious to protect oneself from the vulnerability of getting fooled, skepticism has never been an issue—not until some doubters-turned-close-minded concluded that climate change is non-urgent amid the surge in the heat index in most areas of the Philippines.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed 31 areas under “dangerous” classification on Wednesday, April 24. All were forecasted to experience temperatures 40°C and above, with Camarines Sur leading with a predicted 46°C.
The extreme heat index led to class interruptions, as some schools announced a temporary transition to online and asynchronous sessions to prevent the risks of heat cramps and heat stroke. Nevertheless, with the scorching heat being experienced as one of the signs believed to be the repercussion of climate injustice, have Filipinos taken a strong stance regarding climate change?
In a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in December 2023, 57 percent of the respondents said people can solve climate change, while 39 percent said it cannot be resolved by humans; three percent of the respondents were uncertain.
In the past few years, skeptics have questioned the occurrence of climate change. Others argued it was a natural phenomenon, while others were close-minded despite the facts provided by science. As the world continues to experience massive disturbances brought on by natural calamities, does humanity still have time for this long-overdue debate?
We have approximately six years left before everything becomes irreversible. For the longest time, science has warned people about the narrow time frame to act and address climate injustice.
Unfortunately, their pleas weren’t just ignored; but there were also attempts to silence them as some of the climate scientists were arrested for holding protests. When apathy prevails, even the loudest scream becomes a deafening silence.
Intoxicating despite not being life-threatening, disinformation about climate change has produced a healthy number of impaired individuals who have fixated on the belief that there's no way to mitigate the worst-case scenarios of climate change.
Although skepticism is better than close-mindedness, enough time has been given. Studies have already been made, and the impacts are right before their eyes. At this point, urgent action is needed, and there should be no more amplifying of doubts and disinformation.
Unnecessary debates divert the conversation to the shallow issue of proving a point rather than discussing feasible solutions within the time left. It is heartbreaking to realize that despite all the destruction, most people have stagnant knowledge about the problem and are still torn on whether or not they believe that climate change is real. Lives were already lost and people have been displaced from their homes, which is fair evidence that if no action is taken, we will be counting the days toward our demise.
People who made up their minds regarding climate change have raised the white flag in seeking environmental justice. Their firm stance on not taking action in the resolution implies an escape from accountability. The lack of accountability is a by-product of apathy, and when the citizens, especially the government, have become apathetic, Earth will face its destruction.
The government should be the foremost protector of the environment and advocate for environmental justice. Crafting laws that will combat disinformation about climate change is urgent. Impose stricter penalties and ensure that the government agency assigned to foreseeing the protection of natural resources functions accordingly and does not contribute to the atrocities toward the environmental defenders.
To the people, enough time has been given only to be advised to educate themselves regarding environmental issues. Nevertheless, continue doing so while practicing what you are preaching. Nothing beats the collective action brought about by like-minded people. Always remember, get your facts straight, and don’t let misconceptions prevail.
In a world where the people hold the power to change the future, domineering apathy becomes catastrophic. They may not directly destroy anything, but their inaction and silence will do more damage than the actual destruction. Silent yet extremely deadly—that is how hopes are killed by not choosing a stand.
Article: Danielle Barredo
Cartoon: Timothy Andrei Milambiling
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