We all know what happens when shicker hits the fan.
A shicker fest.
Shickers all over the walls, even the bathroom floors ya.
Apparently, there were truckloads of shickers at the recently concluded United Nations Climate Change Convention in Warsaw, Poland.
It’s officially called the 19th session of the C-O-P or Conference of the Parties, but whatever, it failed miserably.
Shicker became so offensive that our top diplomat lost his appetite and decided not to eat for 13 days.
Thirteen days.
Now, I’m a girl and an expert in all sorts of dieting. But I have never NOT eaten in thirteen days.
Yeb Saño lost 20 pounds, what with only water and tea for sustenance.
In fact, I did not recognize Saño as he appeared before me for our interview.
Is that really you, Commissioner?
Gone was the youthful rounded face, only to be replaced by gaunt dismay.
There would also be a good five second pause/zombie stare before he’d answer every one of my questions. Which is always a little freaky for a journalist.
I realize it wasn’t just his body that was experiencing fatigue, but his whole mind and I dare say, spirit, as well.
Saño was candid enough to admit that the conference was not successful. Countries like the United States (which is responsible for 25% of the greenhouse gas (such as carbon dioxide) emissions in the world!) , China (catching up at 20%), and Australia, simply refused to sign into a legally-binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions. Our economies will suffer blah blah blah…
[IMHO: This “our economies will suffer blah blah blah…” tagline is a total bullshicker but I’ll save this for another post]
But. But! There’s a little take away amidst all the Shicker. According to Saño, they managed to secure an international mechanism on LOSS and DAMAGE. Meaning industrialized nations (37 of them) must pay developing countries for causing so much grief because of their unadulterated fervor to excrete carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Hilarious?
Not really.
It’s called Climate Justice.
P.S.: Commissioner Yeb Saño’s fight did not end at the Shicker fest er Warsaw Climate Convention, I mean. He brought his advocacy online. Please support! http://www.avaaz.org/en/a_future_of_super_storms_j/?copy
P. P. S.: This week we’re celebrating the Climate Change Consciousness Week 2013. The Theme is: I Plan, I Act. Ang Impormasyong Alam Mo Ang Magliligtas Sa Iyo.
Dozens of us journalists from all over the country gathered at the SMX Convention Center for the Climate Change Media Workshop. There were lots of speakers and activities. Everyone agreed that there’s not enough environment stuff on mainstream media.
How inspiring also that everyone made a commitment to talk more about climate change in their TV and radio, web-based shows, print and on-line publications, even in social media!
For those who made everything possible, SALAMAT po!
Ate Imee Abano of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists
Commissioner Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission
Albay Governor Joey Salceda
Dr. Mahar Lagmay of Project Noah at the Department of Science and Technology
Commissioner Yeb Saño of the Climate Change Commission
There’s also been a revolution of values at ABS-CBN, pansin ko lang. We have Executive Producers like veteran journalist Paul Henson who has just been on a three-month study tour in the US to get a feel of what’s important out there. Our TVP Weekend EP Bert Apostol is a Konrad Adenauer scholar who also understands the power of media to move people. Thanks to these EPs, our stories on the environment get some air time. And I am truly grateful. Cheers!