A few weeks ago, on May 3, 2017, the Philippine government is rocked by the denial of appointment of Ms. Gina Lopez as chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by the powerful Commission on Appointment (CA). For Greenpeace Philippines and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, “the rejection of Gina is a rejection of change.” Of course, owners and investors of mining company rejoice over the decision of the commission.

            Climate Justice has been an important issue in the world today. Climate justice is a term used for framing global warming as an ethical and political issue, rather than one that is purely environmental or physical in nature. This is done by relating the effects of climate change to concepts of justice, particularly environmental justice and social justice and by examining issues such as equality, human rights, collective rights, and the historical responsibilities for climate change. A fundamental proposition of climate justice is that those who are least responsible for climate change suffer its gravest consequences (Global Humanitarian Forum, 2009). Indeed, those who are most vulnerable to the effect of climate problems are the defenseless and the powerless while those who have access to safer environments would benefit. So obviously there is a disparity between those most responsible for climate problem and the common people.

            I am not against social or economic development but it is important that our social and economic development would always keep in check that these developments do not destroy our ecosystem or do not deprive common people of a cleaner and safer environment. I believe that the role of biological science teachers come into the fore in situations like this. In Bataan, a province home to multi-billion peso industry of oil and petroleum, as well as home to many coal-powered plants, the need to educate our students on the possibility of disregard to the environment is a reality. Coal plants, whether tagged as clean coal, could put the communities at risk. Coal has already been banned in many parts of the world because of its imminent danger to lives and agriculture. In Finland, coal plants are banned completely. In the Philippines, the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Batangas opposed and banned the operation or establishment of coal powered plants in their jurisdictions. Ilocos Norte is even now very popular because of their windmills, a renewable form of energy.

            Biological science teachers are called to educate our young people today on the environment and climate justice. Our climate problems are problems that are induced by man and can also be addressed by man. Other than political and social actions, one of the most powerful weapon we can do to act on environmental protection and climate justice in through halls of our schools, inside our classrooms where we are able to shape the minds of young people, minds that shape the country and our future. While it is true that education begins at home, critical thinking skills are shaped and honed inside our schools.

References:

http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/ph/press/releases/The-Rejection-of-Gina-is-a-Rejection-of-Change–Greenpeace-Statement-on-the-Commission-on-Appointments-rejection-of-Regina-Lopez-as-DENR-Secretary/ accessed May 31, 2017

http://www.rappler.com/nation/168738-miners-environmentalists-gina-lopez-rejection accessed May 31, 2017

Global Humanitarian Forum (1 October 2009) Kofi Annan launches climate justice campaign track, Global Humanitarian Formum, October 1, 2009

By: Leandro Malibiran