PASCUA, LE BON EIRRES R.

February 6, 2016
Environmental Law
Ambassador Tolentino
Are you one of us?
As a law student, our every day lives and routine is just
basically about learning each and every law of the land. With our
almost monotonous routines of just studying and reading, I would
say that most of us, I in particular, have been ignoring the world
around us and what really is going on in it.
To be real honest, one of the things that Environmental Law
has taught mewell, reminded me at the very least is that
climate change is REAL. Climate change, also called global
warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on
Earth. An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that
climate change is due primarily to the human use of fossil fuels,
which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into
the air. The gases trap heat within the atmosphere, which can
have a range of effects on ecosystems, including rising sea levels,
severe weather events, and droughts that render landscapes
more susceptible to wildfires. (http://www.takepart.com/) With
the alarming destructive effects on the Earth, most nations,
including the Philippines, have incorporated in our law measures
to decrease the rapid deterioration and prevent further
destruction of the planet we live in.
One of these measures is the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto
Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United
Nations
Framework
Convention
on
Climate
Change,
which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding
emission reduction targets. Recognizing that developed countries
are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG
emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of
industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on
developed nations under the principle of "common but
differentiated responsibilities. (http://unfccc.int/) This protocol is
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a significant corroboration that every nation is trying to do its part

and calling in other nations to take part and cooperate in trying to
combat global warming because of its immense impact. With this
protocol, negotiations have been actively conducted and the
recent one was held last December at Paris, France. During
the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
world leaders hammered out an agreement aimed at stabilizing
the climate and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
Ultimately, all nations are working hand in hand to force in
essential measures addressing a very complex problem because
although climate change is environmental in nature, it has
consequences for all spheres of existence on our planet. It either
impacts on or is impacted by global issues, including poverty,
economic
development,
population
growth,
sustainable
development and resource management.(http://www.un.org/)
Nevertheless, amidst all these laws and protocols that have been
enacted, it made me ask myself, what have I really done to help
in my own little way as a law student.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. I think this basically
encompasses what we all ought to do. Here are some of the ways
I think we can all help out
REDUCE. One of the ways that can help reduce our carbon
footprint is to reduce the consumption of electricity. Instead of
separately consuming electricity in our homes or dorms, we can
all head to the library and study there instead. An average law
student takes around 6-8 hours daily of studying and this could
definitely be one way of helping out mother nature!
REUSE. A law students most valuable possession would
probably be his book---- thick ones at that. To reuse, what we can
do is lend old books to younger schoolmates. Not only can we
help save our planet, but we can also help save a younger fellow
to be saved from one of his dreadful recitations!
RECYCLE. Law students has a multitude of cases to read
every single day. Thus, this would entail photocopying each and
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every case. With stacks of cases piling up each time, what we can
do is make an inventory of all our photocopied cases and lend
them out to other students who would need them. Another way
that we could recycle is to compile old cases and make a
notebook out of the pieces of paper.
As law students, we should also think of ways in helping out
preserve what we still can preserve from our planet. Being
students does not excuse us from actively helping out save the
Earth. We all live and breathe in the same world. Every one of us
is greatly affected by the harmful effects of our own doings. Thus,
ultimately, it is everyones responsibility.