Our Only Earth
Newsletter 2022
This newsletter is published with gratitude for Greenpeace Philippines donors.
Copyright © 2022 Greenpeace
All rights reserved. All content in this newsletter may be reproduced, stored, and transmitted as long as the original meaning is retained and proper attribution is provided.
© Photo credits:
Jilson Tiu / Greenpeace
Jilson Tiu / Greenpeace
Basilio H. Sepe / Greenpeace
San Juan City Public Information Department
Daniel Müller / Greenpeace (Jun Sabayton)
Jilson Tiu / Greenpeace
Room 201 JGS Building, #30 Scout Tuason Street, Quezon City, the Philippines 1103
Phone: +63-2-8332-1807
Fax: +63-2-8332-1806
supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org
www.greenpeace.org/philippines
2
Thank you for working with us to protect what we love: our only earth!
Over the past year, your support has allowed us to continue our work to uphold environmental and climate justice. Although each year brings new challenges, we have weathered these together, and your donations have enabled us to step up our campaigns towards a green, just, and peaceful future.
Our biggest win in the past few months was the issuance of the Report on the National Inquiry on Climate Change. The report is the product of a landmark inquiry that climate survivors, communities, and Greenpeace together with other groups put forward to the Commission on Human Rights in 2015. This historic report sets a solid legal basis for asserting that climate-destructive business activities by fossil fuel companies contribute to human rights harms: companies need to show accountability, and beyond that, governments must ensure that the rights of people in the face of climate impacts, must be protected.
Working with people and groups to grow the movement for our planet has been a constant theme in our work. We mobilized almost 20,000 people to call on e-commerce companies Lazada and Shopee to stop using unnecessary plastics and put Zero Waste policies in place. We worked with more than 500 youth leaders, as well as youth groups and young local entrepreneurs, to get them to connect with their local government units and actively participate in the policy and civic spaces of their localities.
This work has borne fruit. Although Lazada and Shopee didn’t respond publicly, Shopee changed their policy requiring the use
of bubble wraps. Tacloban City issued a Climate Emergency Resolution through the efforts of Tacloban Climate Strikers led by a Greenpeace volunteer. In Congress, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Chair of the House Committee on Climate Change, issued a Resolution “Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives for Climate Justice.” And in the lead-up to the national elections, we ensured climate justice was a major agenda for candidates, as well as for voters, as we asked them to protect what they love.
Over the last year, we’ve also worked with a broad movement of youth advocates: amplifying their voices in the face of climate anxiety, working with them to help stop destructive projects such as PAREX, supporting their campaigns to eliminate plastic pollution, and bolstering their work to bring solutions to communities, especially in times of crisis and climate catastrophe. We mobilized youth agency and solidarity to show how activism and people participation within a healthy democracy is essential to a healthy environment.
Our work has been varied but towards our common goal. We are at the beginning of the most crucial decade for the climate. We’re already planning to step up the work in 2023 and we look forward to continuing working with you, for people and the planet.
Lea Guerrero Country Director Greenpeace Philippines
National Inquiry on Climate Change
We made history! The Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) released its final report on the National Inquiry on Climate Change in May this year—the first of its kind in the world.
The final report is the result of a seven-year inquiry conducted by the CHR at the request of communities and individuals that have been severely impacted by extreme weather disasters in the Philippines, such as super typhoon Haiyan. BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ENI, ExxonMobil, Glencore, OMV, Repsol, Sasol, Shell, Suncor, Total, and RWE were among the 47 investor-owned corporations named in the petition.
“The findings of the Commission on Human Rights are a victory for the millions of people whose fundamental rights are being impacted by the corporations behind the climate crisis,” said Yeb Saño, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director. “The message is clear: there are legal grounds for communities to hold corporations accountable for undermining climate action.”
The next step forward is for the government to implement genuine climate action. A vibrant democracy and good governance will enable climate and environmental justice.
“The era where the fossil fuel industry and its backers can get away with and profit from their toxic practices is coming to an end. Impacted communities will continue to assert their rights, and demand justice. It’s time to reclaim your power,” Saño added.
A victory for climate-vulnerable communities everywhere
Bayanihan
At the height of the governmentimposed lockdowns and community pantry movement in 2021, Greenpeace Philippines and PAKISAMA bore witness to the Dumagat Remontado’s urge to help their fellow Filipinos.
The Dumagat Remontado, the indigenous people of Daraitan, Rizal, provided produce which were brought directly to community pantries in Metro Manila where urban citizens faced a lack of resources due to layoffs and other problems brought by the pandemic.
This is a response to shared struggles of broken food systems and lack of government support, and how they show their solidarity with the urban poor despitebeing under stress themselves because of environmentally-destructive practices and typhoons.
More than environmentalism and sustainability, I’m practicing and still honing Greenpeace’s values of nonviolence, bearing witness, and independence in my life.
Being a volunteer since 2007, I’ve seen how organisations like Greenpeace shaped conversations about the environment. Having the capacity to conduct research, build networks, and communicate the prevailing problems through different means helped in achieving the campaign victories we experience now.
Without your support, these campaigns won't push through at their best levels because of monetary constraints. I can assure you that your donations are spent accordingly because Greenpeace values your contribution. Thank you so much!
— Miguel Lopez, volunteer
5
We are winning against plastics!
Greenpeace Philippines partnered with San Juan City to pilot a plastic-free system in the city’s sari-sari stores to reduce sachet purchases, develop accessible and affordable zero waste models, and show the feasibility of reuse for Filipino communities.
The e-commerce petition we developed with Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines has reached over 20,000 signatures asking Lazada and Shopee to reveal, reduce and redesign their plastic packaging. Although there was no public response, Shopee has amended its plastic packaging policies
Greenpeace and the Break Free From Plastic Coalition celebrated the resolution adopted by UN member states to begin negotiations for a legally-binding agreement to end plastic pollution. The deadline for drafting the agreement is set for 2024. This plastic treaty is expected to address the entire life cycle of plastic and the design of reusable alternatives to plastic. Greenpeace and our allies will continue to be involved in the process to ensure that the life cycle perspective and other key agenda points are included in the final agreement.
As a former Greenpeace direct dialogue campaigner, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of donations in sustaining the organisation's campaigns and advocacies.
Aside from working for Greenpeace, avoiding throwaway food packs, and using reusable utensils when dining out, I’ve decided to deepen my commitment to the environment and allocate a portion of my earnings to support the organisation’s advocacy.
The Earth needs us! Let’s not get tired of supporting organizations like Greenpeace! They need our continuous support to work on our environmental problems. Donating is the least that we can do. — Monrey Lao, Donor
Call for Shopee and Lazada to reveal, reduce and redesign! Scan the QR code to sign. 6
Brand Audit Report
Break Free From Plastic’s 2022 Brand Audit Report is finally out and named CocaCola as the worst plastic polluter locally and globally for five consecutive years.
Next to Coke are Philip Morris International, Universal Robina Corporation, Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc., and Japan Tobacco International as the Philippines’ worst plastic polluters. Globally, Coke is followed by PepsiCo, Nestle, Mondelez International, and Unilever – all consistently part of the annual top 10.
These companies keep on producing massive amounts of plastics year after year. World leaders must act and com-up with a legally binding treaty if we truly want to address the worsening plastic crisis.
Bago ako nakilala bilang “Bayaw,” nagsimula ako bilang production designer at cameraman noong 1999.
Noon pa man, mulat na ako sa iba’t ibang isyung panlipuan, ito ang nagtulak sa akin para maging isang human rights advocate. Mas lalong lumawak ang aking kamalayan nung kinuha ako ng Greenpeace bilang freelance videographer para sa isang proyekto. Nakita ko ang koneksyon ng human rights at environmental issues na dapat ipaunawa sa mas nakararami.
Greenpeace Indonesia mendukung kegiatan Solar Chapter dengan membangun solar panel dan memberikan bantuan teknis. Satria adalah relawan yang berangkat ke NTT untuk membantu kegiatan ini.
Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta sa Greenpeace! Ipagpatuloy nating ipaglaban ang ating kalikasan at kumilos para matigil ang problema sa polusyon at climate change.
— Jun Sabayton, Key Influencer
7
1 Various citizens whose lives were adversely affected by factories and mining together with Greenpeace Philippines, hold a banner with a message for the next Philippine President as the country votes for its new leader. The message reads "To the next President, stand for Climate Justice!".
2 Climate advocates and citizens march for climate justice during the Peoples’ Climate Strike.
3 Youth from Brgy Coring participate in a workshop and join the photo activity, holding the banner that reads"Climate Justice Now" in their community.
4 Farmers in Tarlac protested, alongside activists from Rice Watch Action Network and Greenpeace, in a farm damaged by Super Typhoon #KardingPH.
9
The future of our only earth
Dear Donors,
Grateful to all of you for another year of support!
Next year, we look forward to continuing our work, building the agency of youth, local communities and indigenous peoples as they make a stand against corporate greed and weak governance. We will take bold actions to address biodiversity, climate and food crises and the resultant injustices and inequality. Locally, we will continue our work for climate justice, better cities, address plastic pollution, curb the growth of fossil fuel industry, advance renewable energy and protect Philippine biodiversity.
Regular donations are the lifeblood of our campaigns and your continued support means that you are one with us, and together ‘We are Nature’.
We hope you continue to stay with us longer and witness how we collectively transform and heal Philippine Biodiversity and address climate change towards a Better Normal for all Filipinos.
Yours,
Wilhelmina Pelegrina Interim Strategy and Analysis Director
Greenpeace is where I learned more about my advocacy and realized why I’m fighting for it. Here is where I was shaped to be a better leader, given many opportunities, and met individuals who not only taught me, but also inspired me to keep doing what I do, but better.
I was once a 16-year-old who only had 300 pesos for a day, but made sure to save up for my dream, for myself, and for the world. If you dream of change, initiate, start with small steps, and make the first move to see the positive change.
—
Victoria Emmanuel Angeles, Youth Leader
Hello, hello!
I’m Edward Aquino and I have been Greenpeace Philippines’ supporter relations coordinator since 2019. If you’ve got an email or package from us in the past three years, those are probably from me. I’m so glad to finally write a personal note for you. :)
I want to personally thank you for your support. You’ve enabled us to thrive in the pandemic and do our work effectively despite the challenges and constraints. We look forward to face 2023 and the years ahead with you.
If you have comments, suggestions, or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me. I hope to meet you in person soon!
Edward Aquino Supporter Relations Coordinator supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org
We want to get to know you better To learn more about how we can personalize your content, please scan the QR code to answer a short, 5-item feedback form.
Get an extra gift from Greenpeace!
Donors get tokens from us every year. Get a chance to get something extra if you email us at supporterservices.ph@greenpeace.org proof of the following:
+1 entry: Follow our Facebook account
+1 entry: Follow our Instagram account
+1 entry: Follow our Twitter account
We’ll draw five winners at the end of the month and announce the winners through email and social media.
GreenpeacePH GreenpeacePH GPPH
Being a Greenpeace donor is an act of courage. We hope you’re proud of how much we’ve contributed to the fight for a greener world.
You can use this profile photo frame anywhere on the web so we can reach more people together.
12
