Philippines calls for action on climate justice as disasters intensify

As storms and rising seas batter the Philippines, the nation is demanding polluters fund reparations to address climate-induced losses.

Ana P. Santos reports for Deutsche Welle.

In short:

The Philippines, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, hosted the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund to assist countries suffering severe climate impacts.
In November 2024, the country endured six major storms in a single month, displacing thousands and destroying infrastructure.
Advocates in the Philippines are pushing for the CLIMA Bill, which would hold carbon polluters accountable through a domestic climate reparations fund.

Key quote:

“Funds disbursed from the L&D Fund should not further burden countries that are already vulnerable to the climate crisis.”

— John Leo Algo, national coordinator of Aksyon Klima

Why this matters:

Climate change disproportionately affects nations like the Philippines, which contribute little to global emissions. Establishing equitable funding mechanisms for disaster recovery and adaptation is vital to addressing the growing global divide between polluters and those facing the worst climate consequences.

www.dw.com

Philippines calls for action on climate justice as disasters intensify

Organic beef has a larger carbon footprint than feedlot beef

Tribes hit hard by wildfires face health effects, cultural losses

Rooftop rainwater sprinkler systems could help cool warming cities, study says

Judge says EPA illegally canceled $7B solar program

Scientists developing new soybean to store carbon, withstand drought

How climate change worsened Nepal's deadly mountain collapse

‘Forcing a reckoning’: How Asia is preparing for a ‘supersized’ El Niño

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.