CCC ON ENVI DAY, MONTH: Practice Sustainability to Protect Ailing Environment

In celebration of World Environment Day (June 5) and Philippine Environment Month (June), the Climate Change Commission (CCC) urged households and citizens to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, including reducing and avoiding single-use plastic consumption, in order to help heal and protect our ailing environment and planet.

June was declared as the Philippine Environment Month, by virtue of Proclamation No. 237, s. 1988, to raise environmental consciousness among Filipinos. With the theme, “Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom (Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan),” this year’s celebration aims to draw attention and create a united movement for the Earth’s restoration, by reimagining a better world, reviving the strength of rivers, oceans, and coasts, and rethinking plastic use.

The CCC stressed that the country’s massive plastic consumption—with sachets alone, at 164 million pieces daily—and high plastic leakage to open environment has led to the Philippines being cited as a top plastic polluter in our oceans and lands. The climate body also noted that plastics are petroleum products and therefore contribute to global warming and climate change due to the extraction and burning of fossil fuels throughout their life cycle.

In order to encourage citizens to practice sustainability and lead a more environment-friendly lifestyle, the CCC recommended the following initiatives that individuals, households, and communities could pursue:

• Growing your own food or patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season produce;
• Considering energy and cost-efficient transport modes, like walking and biking;
• Practicing energy conservation measures, such as using low-wattage appliances, unplugging electronics, and converting to LED light bulbs;
• Contributing to efficient waste management system by segregating waste, recycling products, and composting food scraps;
• Refusing and avoiding single-use plastics, such as plastic straws and plastic labo and sando bags by using eco-bags and containers; and
• Conserving water by collecting rainwater or reusing laundry water for other chores.

The CCC said that the observance should serve as a reminder of our relationship with nature and our responsibility to take better care of our ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity and ensure a safe, thriving, and healthy future for all and the generations to come