Inquirer 7/21/2009

—Shower only briefly, use sun power when drying clothes, and do the ironing only once or twice a week.

These were some of the “Simple Lang, Save the Climate” tips the Makati government and its partners shared with the public at Monday’s launching of the Energy-Efficient City (EEC) project at Glorietta 5.

Under the project—which was launched in cooperation with environmental group Greenpeace and in partnership with the private sector, the city aims to cut carbon emission by 20 percent in 2010 and by 40 percent in 2020 in a bid to become the first energy-efficient city in Southeast Asia.

Among the groups that signified their intention to join the project were Ayala Foundation, Ayala Land Inc., Makati Commercial Estate Association, and the Philippine Green Building Council.

“Makati’s involvement in this project is a strong statement that we are committed to take action to combat climate change, the most serious environmental threat facing our country and the world today,” Mayor Jejomar Binay said during the launch.

Aside from pursuing programs like the “Palit-Ilaw Caravan” and reducing the use of electricity in government offices, an information campaign on how to maximize energy use in households will be conducted under the project.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director Von Hernandez, meanwhile, lauded the city government’s initiative to take concrete steps against global warming by reducing the use of electricity and fossil fuel.

“Makati is helping push the world in the right direction to climate change solutions. Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines, is recognized by climate scientists as the ‘most vulnerable and least prepared’ to face the worst impacts of climate change,” he said.

Hernandez urged the national government to follow Makati’s lead and adopt strong policies to address climate change.

“We can’t afford to be business-as-usual. We are talking here about the very basis of life-support systems crumbling down,” he said.