Promotion of Common Good in a Changing Climate

​by: Atty. Carolina Lim-Gamban

These past weeks, our country has been bombarded by a severe tropical storm and strong typhoons – Kristine, Leon, and Marce. Not only that, Mt. Fuji of Japan remained snowless for the longest time in 130 years. Valencia, Spain had been experiencing severe flooding causing deaths of many and damaging both real and personal properties. The most surprising through is the first-ever snowfall in Saudi Arabian desert. These are just some of the effects the world is experiencing because of climate change – a consequence brought about by human actions without foreseeing the repercussions, and obviously a lack of value for the common good.

Although these effects can no longer be undone, it is not too late for us to act in small and big ways, and promote the common good. Our children are the extension of our lives, and so what we do today will be for them and for their future. In the case Oposa vs. Factoran which happened in the 1990s, minors represented by their parents pushed for the preservation of the country’s forest and prayed for the cancellation of all existing timber license agreements citing the “adverse and detrimental consequences of continued deforestation” which we are experiencing until today, in a yet higher level. The case is a clear manifestation of promotion of common good since the minors who filed the complaint assailed not only their right but also the whole of their generations and the generations yet unborn, emphasizing inter-generational responsibility. In promoting the common good, we must not be near-sighted, concerned only for those living in the present, but must also consider the common good of those after us - the future generations.

What can we do now for the present and future generations? There are many ways, but let us cite a few simple examples and influence others to do the same for greater impact. Preserve. Conserve. Restore.

Preserve or protect our forests, bodies of water, and natural resources from decay and decline. For many years, the mountain ranges in our country have been protecting us from many strong typhoons. They act as barriers, shielding us from the strong winds and rain brought about by the typhoons. Some are not preserved due to deforestation and mining that gradually alter the physical features of these ranges. Protect our bodies of water by keeping them clean and managing our wastes properly. Recycle to reduce waste.

Conserve or use properly the resources that we have. Avoid wastage of water and electricity in our own little ways. Save some of our resources for the future. A good example is Joseph, the Prince of Egypt. He managed the resources well, which saved Egypt and the neighboring countries from famine. He did not allow all the harvest to be consumed. We can follow his example by not fully consuming the resources we have now. Save some for the future. Make way for the multiplication of the flora and fauna and other resources so that the generations to come will have something to use.

Restore or rehabilitate what the previous generations or others have destroyed. Plant more trees and clean the waterways. Revive the values and virtues that promote the common good. Be an example for others to embrace the concern and promotion of the common good, not only for us in this generation but for our progeny.
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Amid climate change, we need men and women who genuinely care for our country and fellowmen, men and women who preserve, conserve, and restore; men and women who will promote the common good and change the current climate.