AS
WE celebrate World Environment Day today, June 5, the grim reminders of the power of
nature are splashed on newspapers and all over the broadcast and social media.
Floodwaters
are rising and devastating parts of Central Europe, powerful tornadoes had
ripped through Oklahoma in the United States, earthquakes had struck Taiwan and
southern Philippines. The toll on human lives and property are unimaginable;
the images of destruction are beyond words.
Now,
more than ever, is vigilance needed as communities brace for a changing
environment. The new normal are stronger typhoons, sudden rains and flooding
during summer, snowfall in arid lands, extreme heat in wintry months and higher
sea level that would erase coastal communities.
The
Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists (PNEJ) joins the celebration of
World Environment Day aware that there are bigger challenges ahead. The
responsibility of the media to convey accurate and timely information to
communities at risk to a changing environment is much needed as we reach a
critical stage of the fight to reverse the impact of global warming and climate
change.
PNEJ,
which is celebrating its third founding anniversary today, is reiterating its
commitment to look for and present stories that would push environmental issues
to the forefront so these could move policymakers, government and nongovernment
agencies and communities to action.
We
also take this opportunity to thank PNEJ’s partners in training and offering
opportunities to a new generation of environmental journalists and bringing
environmental reporting to the consciousness of the Filipino public. Rest
assured, we will not waver in our resolve to advance environment and
development issues to benefit our community, especially those most vulnerable
to the impact of a changing climate.
Happy
World Environment Day!
