Photo exhibit raises awareness of climate change impact

MANILA, Philippines – Greenpeace Philippines kickstarted the World Environment Week with the launch of a 10-day photo exhibit that featured the impact of climate change in the Southeast Asia region on Monday, June 3, 2013.

Eye-opening exhibit

“Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions in Southeast Asia” showcases 40 striking photos from world-renowned photographers Kemal Jufri from Indonesia, Athit Perawongmetha from Thailand, and the country’s very own Vicente Jaime “Veejay” Villafranca. The 3 were commissioned last year by the Greenpeace to document the causes, impacts and solutions of climate change.

Kemal Jufri gave viewers a glimpse of the current state of Indonesia which is paying the high price for the production of the world’s cheapest fuel, coal.  Considered as the dirtiest and the most polluting, fossil fuels – like coal – are considered as the major contributor of climate change.

Veejay Villafranca’s “Displaced Earth” relived the traumatic experience of many Filipinos during the height of the various typhoons and other extreme weather phenomena in the past few years. His photos also showcased the incomparable hope and resilience of the victims despite the challenges.

Thai photographer Athit Perawongmetha took on a positive note and showcased Thailand as a frontrunner in the renewable energy sector among Asian countries.

Eco-champions

The Greenpeace photo exhibit was attended by celebrity supporters like Filipina actress Saab Magalona, A Litre of Light or Isang Litro ng Liwanag foundation head Illac Diaz and the event’s hostess Miss Philippines-Earth 2013 Angelee delos Reyes.

Re-elected Senator Loren Legarda served as a keynote speeaker and was welcomed by Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director Von Hernandez and Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo.

Inspiring others

Naidoo told Rappler that the exhibit aims to educate and inspire people to send a strong message and call for action to their respective government.

“[Through the photo exhibition,] people can understand climate change in a non-jargon way, which visually showing (sic) certain acts against climate change,” Naidoo said.

He then praised the Philippines as one of the leading countries with good pro-environment laws. He adds however that the country needs to aggressively implement these laws to “generate the kind of awareness that will get young people (and) state/union leaders, to understand that climate change is not just a cross-cutting issue.”

“I’m looking forward that, with the help of Sen. Loren, we might be able to present these to the Philippine Senate. Hopefully, we would like to show this (to) other places in the Philippines and not just in a small part of Metro Manila.”

Prior to Manila, the exhibit was staged in Jakarta, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Bitter truth

Naidoo stressed the reality that the people who are least responsible are ones who suffer most from the unfortunate effects of climate change.

He cited the extreme weather phenomena that Filipinos experienced in 2009 as an unfortunate example that showed the vulnerability of key Asian countries to climate change.

“Everybody needs to get involved now because we are running of time and the longer we delay it, the more it comes dangerous for our children and the future generation.” Naidoo said.

Hernandez added, “We can no longer deny anything about climate change because every year we are bombarded with extreme weather phenomenon that results into the destruction of billions-worth of properties.”

Senator Legarda stressed that politicians should take action to reduce the risks and mitigate the impact of climate change.

“[The Philippine government should] explore and continue to develop renewable energy sources, engage the private sector to invest  in clean new technologies, adopt energy efficiency measures and re-engineer corporate social responsibility to reflect the joint values of achieving business sustainability through building disaster-resilient local communities,” said Legarda.

She is also campaigning for the strict implementation of the major environmental laws including the Renewable Energy Act.

Hope still

Naidoo said the solution to climate change is very simple, “We should stop burning fossil fuels and meet our energy needs through clean and green options of which there are many. Greenpeace has been campaigning for us to get our government to shift to these various sources of renewal energy such as solar, green, geothermal, biomass, and hydro energy.”

Aside from battling climate change, these renewable energy sources can also generate jobs and has been considered as a wise choice for developing countries like the Philippines.

He added, “as ordinary citizens we can help by  thinking of ways of using energy wisely, what type of transportation are we using, the kind of food that we eat and where they come from.”

“Every individual has a choice, either to stay silent or do something because in the end of the day, we need to voice out responsibilities for the environment and to let our business or government leaders know that we are watching them and we will extremely judge them harshly if they will payback now because the future of the next generation lies in their hand.”

“This is the biggest struggle that humanity is facing because of the very survival of life as we know it. Therefore, we must do something about it.”

Greenpeace’s photo exhibition entitled “Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions in Southeast Asia” will run from June 3 – 12, 2013 at the Eastwood Mall Atrium in Quezon City. – Rappler.com 

 

Alexandra Leal is a Rappler intern and a student at the Polythenic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa.