Nowadays, protecting the environment is a significant part of most discussions.  For instance, at a recent meeting, the leading architect in the Philippines, Architect Jun Palafox said that he will not take on any project that will go against his advocacy of protecting the environment.  This is the type of commitment many Filipinos now have.

What is the Paris Climate Agreement?  In 2015, 195 countries agreed to keep global warming to below 2 degrees centigrade.  Some countries led by the Philippines, which is at high risk to the effects of Climate Change, have even demanded that we try for 1.5 degrees centigrade.  To accomplish this however, all countries need to reduce their activities that lead to global warming.  Sad part is scientists calculate that pledges of countries, specially those that have high carbon emissions, will not yet even put us to the level of 2 degrees.

Yesterday, at the 2^nd State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, he said: ?Addressing global warming shall be our top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation.  It must not stymie our industrialization.?  He signed the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, although he did want some assurance that our commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 will be accompanied by aid from the international community since our country is vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change. 

The Philippines is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement. We have experienced supertyphoons that have caused major damage to certain areas and we know we have to do everything to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.  Yet there are still some activities that do not seem to be in harmony with this pledge.  For instance, coal continues to be the highest contributor to the power generation capacity of the Philippines.  By 2030, it is expected that the Philippines will have an additional 25 more coal plants to keep the power supply stable.  This ten seems to be inconsistent with the commitment to the Climate Agreement.  It would help us a lot if the country would try to use more renewal energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, natural gas, etc.  We should have more laws and regulations that will encourage investment in these renewable sources of energy.