Target: Aquilino Pimentel, President of the Senate, Philippines
Goal: Applaud Philippines senate vote to ratify Paris Climate Agreement.
The Philippines’ senate voted unanimously to ratify the Paris Climate Accords. This comes after a period of uncertainty as newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte had called the pact “stupid” and signaled that the country would withdraw its commitment.
Climate change has already had a significant impact in the Philippines, with an increasing number of tropical storms striking the island nation each year. Typhoon Haiyan devastated the country in 2013, killing over 6,000, leveling several cities and ruining crops. Recognition that extreme weather events are a growing threat has fueled an embrace of renewable energy. Ratification of the Paris Agreement keeps the Philippines on track to meet an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 70 percent by 2030, through a complete shift to renewable energy within 10 years, as detailed in this ForceChange petition. The country has also taken a leadership role in the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a partnership of 43 developing countries most at risk from the impacts of worsening climate change.
In an era when the Trump Administration has begun a full-scale retreat from climate change action, which may include an exit from the Paris Agreement, it is critically important that developing countries such as the Philippines step forward to maintain momentum toward the goal of restricting global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius. Please sign the below petition supporting the Philippines commitment to combating climate change.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Pimentel,
I am writing to offer my support for the Philippines’ historic vote to ratify the Paris Climate Accords. This continues a commitment to combating global climate change, which is desperately needed as nations such as the United States refuse to take meaningful action.
The Philippines has the opportunity to be an influential presence in the climate change movement through its leadership position within the Climate Vulnerable Forum. Please continue advocating for aggressive strategies, such as the transition to renewable energy, which will enable the planet to stay under 1.5 degrees of warming.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Planeta
congrats on philipines and france