“Acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.” - Understanding the contents of the Paris Agreement

 

Everywhere you look, people are urging the media, governments, and corporations to act on global warming, protect Mother Earth, and secure a better future for the generations to come. This message has only become more urgent as we see the growing impacts of climate change especially here in the Philippines.

 

We’ve all experienced it firsthand. We’ve ridden in jeepneys spewing thick black smoke, walked past streams and creeks clogged with plastic and human waste, and noticed rivers polluted by chemical spills from factories. Trash lines the streets, factories release choking smoke into the air, and fast-food chains expand excessively. Trees are cut down to make way for new roads and buildings, while parks are shrinking in size. We encounter broken pipes on the streets, with water flowing and even flooding as vehicles pass through. Traffic jams, like those on EDSA, seem never-ending. Leftover food is tossed out instead of being eaten or shared. People carry numerous plastic shopping bags, contributing to waste, as they walk down the street. On a single jeepney ride, you saw all of this, and it left you wondering: How do we fight this? What can I do?

 

The best thing we can do is focus on actions within our reach and start creating positive change. In this effort, the author, Elpidio V. Peria, serves as an inspiring example. His book, “Paris Agreement on Climate Change”, makes a complex topic easy to get into. It is not just about what the Paris Agreement says; it is about how it came to life, what’s happened since it was adopted nearly a decade ago, and what it means for countries like ours.

 

Every now and then, I choose to step out of my comfort zone and read something outside my usual genres. Books like this are refreshing and important to explore. Peria explains the history of climate agreements, from the Kyoto Protocol to the Copenhagen Accord, and how they led to the Paris Agreement. He makes it easy to follow, even if you’re new to this kind of topic. What I really appreciated was how Peria broke down each article of the Paris Agreement. The legal language could have been a nightmare to read, but he made it clear and straightforward. This book also highlights the Philippines’ role in the Agreement. As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, our participation in the Paris Agreement is critical. Peria details our obligations and evaluates how well we’ve been meeting them. Since he was directly involved in the negotiations, his insights carry a lot of weight and credibility. 

 

“Paris Agreement on Climate Change” is an essential read for anyone looking to understand this landmark global agreement and its implementation. Fighting climate change isn’t something we can leave to others… It is something we all need to care about and that change is possible if we work together, step by step.