CBCPand Shun 'not in my backyard mentality' on environment

MANILA -Saying that reducing the impacts of climate change is everyone’s duty, Catholic bishops called on the communities to avoid the not in my backyard” mentality. Unfortunately, we, Filipinos, are content to say ‘not in my backyard!’ We keep our home and surroundings clean, even if it means dumping our waste in our neighborhood,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said in a pastoral exhortation.The bishops believe fighting climate change remains a huge challenge because many communities are not proactive about saving the planet. Having examined ourselves and our relation to the environment, we are then obligated to ensure that our response is not just on the individual, but also on the community level,” part of the statement read.The statement, signed by CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas, stressed how important it is for the public to see what climate change means and why there is a need to start making changes.According to him, economic powers are not solely responsible for this but everyone is called to care for the earth, especially in this time of grave danger for her and for all of us”.In parishes, he said that church-based groups and civic organizations are called to explore ways to protect the environment as well as to propagate this environmental awareness.”When necessary, he said Filipinos should lobby for legislation and advocate causes that will curb environmental degradation caused by the excesses of industry.” …Even as we do our best as individuals and communities to curb climate change, we must realize it is already upon us,” said Villegas, adding that the task of addressing the problem is an urgent one.” Integral to this would be knowing the hazards that we face, knowing our environment, knowing our community, and working with our government and civil society organizations to prepare for the future,” he said.(CBCPNews)