By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

GREENPEACE is calling for the Senate to pass the Renewable Energy Bill in an effort to fend off the effects of climate change.

The group, wearing alarm clocks to signify the time pressure to pass the bill, held a short rally at the Senate building in the hopes of convincing legislators make an effort before the upcoming First National Communication on Climate Change to be held in Indonesia.

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Jasper Inventor told INQUIRER.net that the bill has been languishing for years, despite strong support from different senators and congress.

The RE bill is an amalgamation of several proposals filed by Senators Miguel Zubiri, Richard Gordon, Edgardo Angara and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. There were also several similar bills proposed in Congress by representatives Lorenzo Tañada III, Luis Villafuerte and Mikey Arroyo.

Inventor noted that no Southeast Asian nation has passed renewable energy laws or similar legislation that will migrate dependence from carbon-emitting fossil fuels to cleaner forms of power, such as geothermal, wind and hydroelectric.

The burning of fossil fuels, particularly crude oil and coal, is blamed for the rise in greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Among the effects of climate change are extreme increases and decreases in global temperature, melting of the polar ice caps and rising of sea leves.

“The Philippines should show leadership by passing a bill to alleviate the effects of global climate change. By doing so, other countries will follow,” Inventor said.

Apart from the Senate rally, Inventor said they plan to conduct similar activities in Congress. Likewise, they would conduct public information campaigns to encourage more people to understand climate change and what can be done.