‘Ako Ang Bukas’ movement launches; pushes campaign for climate neutrality by 2050

Ako Ang Bukas, a Philippine multisectoral environmental movement was launched on Friday, unveiling its focal campaign “Quantum Leap NOW to Climate Neutrality 2050!”

“The climate situation requires immediate action and will require stock-taking of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the increase of carbon sinks in the country to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” the Ako Ang Bukas movement said.

According to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, only 10-12 years are left before the 1.5C liveable limit in temperature rise is breached, which will result in untold catastrophes unless immediate action is taken.

“If global warming is to be addressed, we must reduce our emissions and improve the drawdown of our terrestrial ecosystems. That is in the hands of humanity” said Dr. Angelina Galang, one of the prime movers of Ako Ang Bukas and President of Green Convergence.

“The climate neutrality 2050 campaign calls for the quantification of our carbon footprint. All units must be involved. This is a whole-of-nation approach,” Galang added.

In pursuing a nation-wide stock-taking of GHG emissions, the movement will conduct trainings on the use of GHG calculators tailor-made for the different sectors of society.

The use of the personal carbon footprint calculator was demonstrated by GHG Specialist Jan Ralph Ebora during the launch. This calculator will be available for public use in a few days at facebook.com/AkoAngBukas.

Ako Ang Bukas has forged a partnership with Regenerative Revolution to make the calculators accessible to everyone. The specific calculators for businesses, organizations, schools, and the agriculture sector will be available in the coming month.

To ensure the movement’s whole-of-nation approach, an advisory council was formed with representatives from the different sectors of society, namely: Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines, Federico “Piki” Lopez, Chair & CEO of First Philippine Holdings Corporation, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, Mayor Richard Gomez of Ormoc City, Vicky-Tauli Corpuz, Former UN Special Rapporteur for Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Fr. John Christian Young, President of Fr. Saturnino Urios University, and Gabrielle Marciano, President of Y’s Men’s Club of RAHA Paranaque.

“We have to do much more to fight the climate crisis by comprehensively changing the way we live and the way we do things”, said Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, in a message at the launch.

“This movement will be a shining example of an empowered people’s initiative to build a sustainable and healthier future for our country,” Dominguez said further.

The movement has attracted celebrity champions who also delivered their calls to action during the launch.  Among the AAB Champions are: Atty. Tony Oposa Jr., organizer for environmental legislation, Singer-songwriter Joey Ayala, TV Host and Author Cory Quirino, Actor Bodjie Pascua, House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, Broadcast Journalist Howie Severino, and TV Host Mon Isberto.

Ako Ang Bukas conveys the meaning, “the future depends on me” with an acknowledgement of personal accountability for the climate crisis, and personal responsibility for what is to come. To join the movement, visit bit.ly/AkoAngBukas