Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Saturday urged the public to make an investment in the environment to fight climate change.
\”A healthy ecosystem helps to protect us from diseases,\” the CCC said in a statement as the world commemorates Earth Day.
\”By investing in our planet, we can take concrete steps toward mitigating the effects of climate change. This includes implementing sustainable practices, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting conservation efforts,\” the agency added.
In line with this, environmental group Greenpeace called on the public to reduce the use of plastic, noting that plastic production could triple by 2050.
\”This year’s Earth Day theme, ‘Invest in our Planet,’ couldn’t be more timely. It’s indeed time for countries, especially corporations, to invest in genuine zero-waste solutions that will safeguard people and give the youth a plastic-free future they deserve. Young people have the most to gain if we act on the plastics issue—and the most to lose if we don’t,\” said Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Marian Ledesma.
\”We need a strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty that won’t just drastically reduce plastic production and turn off the plastic tap, but also drive industries and nations to invest in sustainable and socially equitable solutions to protect future generations from plastic pollution,\” she added.
According to the latest Plastic Waste Makers Index, the world generated 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste in 2021, which was 6 million metric tons more than in 2019.
In the Philippines, the House of Representatives has already approved the bill imposing a tax on single-use plastics while the Senate has a bill banning the use of such materials.
