MANILA – Climate change accelerates biodiversity loss, pollution harms ecosystems and habitat destruction, thus the need for decisive and coordinated action to address the environmental crises threatening the Philippines.
In a news release Friday, Senator Loren Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis (TPC), which encompasses the interconnected environmental challenges of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
She said the TPC is not a distant threat, but an ongoing crisis with far-reaching impacts.
“The triple planetary crisis is no longer an abstract concern. It is happening now, and it’s directly affecting our daily lives and our future,” Legarda said, noting the need for urgent action.
As the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Global Champion for Resilience and Ambassador for Parliaments of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, she has frequently warned about the vicious cycle of these crises, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.
Highlighting the country’s growing environmental challenges, Legarda pointed to alarming plastic pollution statistics, with each Filipino consuming an average of 20 kilograms of plastic annually.
Of this, 15.4 kilograms end up as waste, making the Philippines the top contributor to global ocean plastic pollution, accounting for 36 percent of it.
The country’s inadequate waste management infrastructure exacerbates this issue, and over 253,000 tons of hazardous waste were produced in 2022 alone, she noted.
Metro Manila also faces untreated wastewater discharges, with over 80 percent of it entering the environment, compounding health and environmental risks.
Legarda likewise raised concerns about air pollution, as the Philippines ranked 79th out of 134 nations in air quality in 2023.
“The effects of pollution and climate change are visible across the country. From intensified typhoons and flooding in Metro Manila to prolonged droughts in the provinces, these are not isolated incidents, but consequences of our environmental degradation,” she warned.
As one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries, the Philippines is home to a significant portion of global biodiversity, yet its natural habitats face mounting threats.
Legarda stressed the importance of protecting the nation’s biodiversity, which includes two-thirds of Earth’s species and 5 percent of the world’s flora.
“Addressing this crisis requires a whole-of-society approach,” Legarda said, calling for stronger collaboration among government, businesses and communities.
She also urged Filipinos to take proactive steps in protecting the environment for future generations.
Legarda acknowledged the existence of environmental laws, but emphasized the need for more robust policies to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainability.
“As we welcome 2025, we must resolve to make this year a turning point. The challenges of the triple planetary crisis are immense, but so too is our capacity to make a difference,” Legarda said. (PNA)