Green SONA 2018: Environmental Monsters are Back! Superheroes Needed!

August 21, 2018

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Different environmental groups, representatives from the government, the academe and the church converged in Baguio City on August 20, 2018 for the annual State of Nature Assessment.

Environmental Coalition Green Convergence held the annual State of the Nature Assessment (Green SONA) with the theme “Environmental Monsters are Back; Superheroes Needed!” on August 20, 2018 (Monday) at Albergo Hotel, Baguio City. This year’s SONA focused on the menaces that pose grave danger to the Philippine environment and how these “monsters”—specifically genetically modified organisms (GMOs), incineration and nuclear power, and large-scale mining and giant dams, can be overcome by green heroes such as renewable energy, organic agriculture and reforestation.

“Technologies that Green Convergence totally rejects include (1) genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which intrude on nature in the most basic unit of life — the gene, (2) nuclear power which likewise disturbs the basic unit of matter — the nucleus, and (3) programs like large-scale mining and giant dams which remove and disturb whole ecosystems, forests, rivers and coastal ecosystems, and contribute immensely to climate change,” explained Dr. Angelina Galang, President of Green Convergence.

Speakers included Negros Oriental Governor Hon. Roel Degamo, Dr. Chito Medina of MASIPAG, Jaybee Garganera of Alyansa Tigil Mina, Dr. Jorge Emmanuel of Silliman University and Atty. Jose Andres Canivel of the Forest Foundation Philippines.

Meanwhile, from the government, CAR Chief Tourism Operations Officer Jovy Ganungan, CAR Environment Regional Director’s Representative Atty. Cleo Sabado-Andrada and Climate Change Commission Chief Legal Counsel Atty. Efren MG. Bascos responded to issues raised by the speakers and the participants.

Green SONA 2018 is supported by the Energy Development Corporation and the Forest Foundation Philippines, and is organized in partnership with the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Cordilleras. Participants included NGO and government representatives, students, teachers, church groups, and concerned citizens.