As Hagupit rages Filipinos call for action at Lima climate summit

Voltaire Alferez

At the UN climate summit in Lima, Peru, a Christian Aid partner from the Philippines has called on negotiators to take action on climate change as Typhoon Hagupit bears down on his country. Voltaire Alferez, National Coordinator for Aksyon Klima, said it wasn’t pity that he wanted from the world but action.

He said: “In the Philippines we no longer debate and deny the impacts of climate change because we are experiencing them every year. Last year Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6000 people, devastated families, communities, farms, sources of livelihoods and was particularly damaging to the most vulnerable communities.

"We were just beginning to get back on our feet after Haiyan and yet here we are again having to start from scratch. But it is not pity we want but action from leaders here at the climate summit. We need to see ambitious action to reduce carbon emissions and see proper adaptation support provided for vulnerable countries.

"As we speak people are paying for our leaders lethargy with their lives and livelihoods."

Read an earlier piece by Voltaire here: www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/blog/2014/solidarity-to-fight-climate-change.aspx