NEWS AT A GLANCE

May 9-15, 2022

CNN
 
Reducing harmful air pollution has led to a surprising effect — more hurricanes in the North Atlantic
By Rachel Ramirez
 
As the US and Europe worked for decades to reduce air pollution for the sake of public health and the planet, scientists found an unintended and challenging consequence: an increase in tropical storms in some regions.
 
 
CLIMATE HOME NEWS
 
Philippines inquiry finds polluters liable for rights violations, urging litigation
By Chloé Farand
 
An inquiry by a human rights commission in the Philippines found some of the world’s largest historic polluters liable for causing global heating – giving fresh impetus to lawsuits centering climate change as a human right issue.
 
 
MANILA BULLETIN
 
Now let’s turn our attention to… climate change
 
Recognizing the urgent need to raise the awareness among Filipinos of their role in fighting climate change, Epson and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines have teamed up to launch a virtual museum called “Museo Kalikasan,” an interactive platform that can help deepen the Filipinos’ understanding of climate and environmental issues.
 
SALE ALERT: Save on beauty deals while you save the earth, too!
By Jane Kingsu-Cheng
 
We’re in for a treat this month as Kiehl’s is celebrating their Super Brand Day with the release of limited-edition packaging of their bestsellers. Not to rest on their laurels, being the number one skincare brand on Lazada’s platform for the past two years, they’re levelling up with many exciting offerings to watch out for. 
 
Climate change ‘affects seriously’ food supply, availability, accessibility — CHR
By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki
 
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concerns on the far-reaching effects of climate change that would also impact on the country’s food supply, availability and accessibility if left unchecked.
 
Even chance world will breach 1.5C warming within 5 years: UN
By Agence-France-Presse
 
Geneva, Switzerland — There is an even chance that global temperatures will temporarily breach the benchmark of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in one of the next five years, the United Nations warned Tuesday.
 
Dagupan City heat index still in ‘extreme danger’ level
By Liezle Basa Iñigo
 
Dagupan City — Pangasinan particularly Dagupan City experienced the hottest summer on record after a warm and dry season, with heat index registered at 55 degrees Celsius.
 
 
MANILA STANDARD
 
LG spearheads less carbon everyday challenge
 
Summer has started, but the heat has been noticeably getting hotter and hotter each year. Climate change is a real and indisputable fact. 
 
Experts: Climate change enhances every heatwave
By AFP
 
PARIS—All heatwaves today bear the unmistakable and measurable fingerprint of global warming, top experts on quantifying the impact of climate change on extreme weather said Wednesday.
 
 
NZ HERALD
 
Government plan to tackle climate change has been revealed
By Hamish Cardwell of RNZ
 
Analysis - Climate Change Minister James Shaw this morning sketched out some more details about to expect from a historic 10 days in climate policy in Aotearoa. The Government today announced its comprehensive plan to slash climate emissions will come out next Monday, May 16.
 

PHILIPPINE CANADIAN INQUIRER
 
Climate change isn’t just making cyclones worse, it’s making the floods they cause worse too – new research
By Laurence Hawker, University of Bristol, Dann Mitchell
 
Super cyclones, known as hurricanes or typhoons in different parts of the world, are among the most destructive weather events on our planet.
 
 
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
 
[OPINION] Ecosystem restoration good for your health
By Abi Vanak, Anuja Malhotra
 
New Delhi—Humanity currently faces multiple, interlinked existential crises. The catastrophic consequences of climate change, ecological degradation, and biodiversity loss have cascading knock-on effects on human health and well-being. As the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates, ecosystem damage can contribute significantly to a global public health emergency. But scientists are also increasingly finding that ecological restoration, by reversing the threats to soil, biodiversity, water, and other ecosystem services, can deliver major health benefits.
 
Philippine Agriculture 4.0
By Rex L. Navarro
 
In 2018, the World Government Summit (WGS) launched “Agriculture 4.0: The Future of Farming Technology,” a report addressing the major challenges of agriculture—demographics, scarce natural resources, climate change, food waste—in meeting future global demands.
 
 
PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
 
Land use plan crucial to Iloilo City’s goal as ‘most livable’
By Lade Jean Kabagani
 
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will contribute to the economic development and environmental protection of Iloilo City following the approval of its 2021-2029 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). 
 
Approved land use plan sets direction for Iloilo City’s growth
By Perla Lena
 
Iloilo City – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) approved on Thursday afternoon Iloilo City’s 2021-2029 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) that will set the direction of the city's development in the next nine years.
 
PH, Italy to forge scientific cooperation
By Ma. Cristina Arayata
 
The Philippines and Italy are set to forge scientific cooperation on various strategic areas, and signing may take place this month.
 
 
POWER PHILIPPINES
 
Security Bank to stop funding coal projects by 2033
 
Security Bank said it will stop funding new coal projects by 2033 in support of the government’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
 
REUTERS
 
U.S. SEC extends comment period on climate risk proposal
By Katanga Johnson
 
Washington, May 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday extended until June 17 the period for public comment on its landmark proposal to require U.S.-listed companies to disclose a range of climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions.
 
 
SPINOFF
 
Our first carbon budgets
By Anna Rawhiti-Conell
 
Climate change minister James Shaw revealed the country’s first three carbon budgets yesterday. They span the periods between 2022–2025, 2026–2030 and 2031–2035. The budgets set a limit on the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted into the atmosphere. The budgets are based on meeting requirements in the Zero Carbon Act which was passed in 2019 and established the climate change commission. The full plan is out next Monday. RNZ’s climate reporter, Hamish Cardwell has a useful timeline of the path to this point.
 
 
SUNSTAR
 
Solon says E-vehicle law to cushion fuel prices
By Ian Ocampo Flora
 
City Of San Fernando -- The enactment of Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, is timely and appropriate as this will help address the excessive petroleum prices today and mitigate the impact of climate change, according to Pampanga Second District Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo.
 
 
THE MANILA TIMES
 
Tech titans curb hiring in a 'challenging macro environment'
By Agence France-Presse
 
PARIS: From e-commerce colossus Amazon to social networking star Facebook, US tech firms that once grew with abandon have reined in hiring to endure tumultuous times.
 
PH adopts forest stewardship system
By Agence France-Presse
 
The Philippines is adopting the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system that is seen to open opportunities for export of forest products, paper and wood to Europe from well-managed, sustainable forests.
 
Policy review calls for single-use plastics ban
By Agence France-Presse
 
There is a dire need for the passage of House Bill (HB) 9147 or the Single-use Plastic Products Regulation Act on account of the grave impacts of plastic pollution in the country, according to a policy note recently released by a group of AB Development Studies students at the Ateneo De Manila University and The Climate Reality Project Philippines.
 
ISU, Korean firm to push green solutions
By Leander C. Domingo
 
Echague, Isabela: A new partnership between a university here and a South Korean-based company is set to introduce green and sustainable research and development in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
 
DENR project to protect Samar Protected Landscape
 
A department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) project to build socioeconomic resilience in the Catubig Watershed will protect the Samar Protected Landscape and Seascape while supporting the livelihood of rice farmers, craftsmen and fishers.
 
Stakeholders, DA eye boosting agri sector
By Eireene Jairee Gomez
 
Agriculture stakeholders meet with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to discuss major agri-fishery concerns and priority programs to improve the farm and fishery sector for this year. This was held during a roundtable meeting between Agriculture Secretary William Dar and the chairpersons of the National Banner Program Committees (NBPCs) and Other Priority Program Committees (OPPCs) under the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) held on Wednesday.
 
[OPINION] War in Ukraine and rising energy costs risk hampering Asia's decarbonization efforts
By Han Phoumin
 
Even before the Russia-Ukraine war, the Covid-19 pandemic had brought the world economy into recession. Global oil demand also declined by about 8 million barrels per day in 2020 and 2021. OPEC+ agreed to cut output by 10 million barrels per day from May 2020 to April 2022. This led oil prices to rise to around $75 per barrel in July 2021, which prompted OPEC+ to raise output again at the end of 2021.
 
Another coral garden discovered in Cavite
By Yashika F. Torib
 
A cluster of coral gardens was discovered by a group of divers in Ternate, Cavite on April 2, disproving beliefs that the Manila Bay is dead and barren.
 
Higher-value factory, farm products pushed
 
The country needs to continue pursuing the development of higher-valued products from the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors with the use of science, technology and innovation (STI).
 
How CHR's human rights inquiry impacts fossil fuel divestment
By John Leo Algo
 
THE rise of fossil fuel divestment in the Philippines has been slow for the past few years, partly due to a lack of enabling environment for corporations. Yet a recent development may have just provided the much-needed boost for this trend to accelerate.
 
Project to help Samar communities
By Eireene Jairee Gomez
 
A DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) project to build socioeconomic resilience in the Catubig Watershed will protect the Samar Protected Landscape and Seascape while supporting the livelihood of rice farmers, craftsmen and fishers.
 
 
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
 
Davao City waste-to-energy project to fuel climate change, groups warn
By Geela Garcia
 
Davao City, Philippines — Hundreds of garbage flies infest homes, flying from waste to food, to children. The decaying stench of the dumpsite lingers as families eat. It was almost noon and waste pickers like Virgilio Romero*, 44, scavenge waste on the mountain of garbage under the scorching 51-degree celsius heat. 
 
DOE readies submission of energy transition plan
By Danessa Rivera
 
The incoming administration will have to push harder to develop indigenous and clean power sources to strengthen the country’s resiliency amid global energy issues as the Department of Energy (DOE) prepares a comprehensive report for the transition.
 
NEDA ready to turn over transition plan to next government
By Louise Maureen Simeon
 
The incoming administration would have to ensure a strong macro fiscal foundation and build on existing policy reforms of the Duterte government to guarantee sustained economic growth in the next six years.
 
Clean up poll trash, candidates urged
By Mayen Jaymalin
 
With the elections now over, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday urged candidates to help in the removal of campaign materials.
 
Philippines reaffirms sustainable post-pandemic recovery with ASEAN
By Pia Lee-Brago
 
The Philippines will reaffirm its commitment to collaborate with its neighbors and partners for a sustainable post-pandemic recovery and lasting peace and security in the region during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-United States (ASEAN-US) Special Summit this week.
 
Quezon City mayor orders massive clean-up drive following polls
By Rhodina Villanueva, Robertzon Ramirez
 
As yesterday’s elections drew to a close, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte ordered the city’s sanitation office and barangay officials to launch a massive clean-up drive.
 
Sugar input down 9.5 %
By Catherine Talavera
 
The country’s raw sugar production continued to decline for the sixth consecutive week, dropping 9.5 percent in the fourth week of April.
 
 
TODAY
 
Lower yields, higher prices: Southeast Asia has a rice problem fuelled by sustainability and security concerns
By Paul Teng
 
The balance of food sustainability and national security of Southeast Asia hangs on a tiny white grain. Rice is the daily staple of 3.5 billion people globally, providing about one-fifth of their calorie needs.
 

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
 
Growing Desertification Demonstrates Need for Adaptation Plans
 
The UN’s top climate change official Patricia Espinosa today called on governments and all key stakeholders to urgently build resilience against the growing and increasingly severe environmental disasters throughout the world. And she called on countries to submit detailed plans about how they intend to build resilience to desertification and climate change.
 
 
CCC in the News
 
 
BUSINESS MIRROR
 
Business groups upbeat, but flag risks for new government
By Andrea E. San Juan
 
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said on Tuesday the incoming administration must be given time to draw up their plans to accelerate economic growth.