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Forum on Climate Crisis, Ecofeminism and Alternatives

Background

In the recent years, Philippines had experienced unprecedented and successive calamities that

claimed scores of lives, displaced millions of individuals and damaged billions worth of properties

and agricultural products. Many areas have become increasingly vulnerable to typhoons which

was never experienced decades ago. In 2011 and 2012, Typhoons Sendong and Pablo devastated

portions of the Island of Mindanao while in 2013, Typhoon Yolanda ravaged several areas in the

Philippines particularly in Visayas.

The melting of ice caps and permafrost, droughts, flooding, rising of sea level are rapidly

unfolding and becoming a common phenomenon. Undeniably, drastic changes in climate pattern

has caused the above mentioned phenomenon that are widely shared across the globe.

While many have pointed out that this crisis is caused by human activities, it is, however,

important to underscore that the bulk contribution to this problem is caused by the dominant global

order that permits private multinational companies to exploit natural resources in larger scale to

obtain excessive rate of profits. The massive extraction and exploitation of resources has

exacerbated the emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases responsible for the warming of the

world that alters the normal climate pattern.

The present erratic climate has constantly impacted the human existence. Specifically, it

exposed the grassroots communities into vulnerabilities. For instance, the pollution of water, land,

and air threatens the subsistence capacity of small scale producers to produce sufficient foods for

the society.

This crisis has become a time ticking bomb that demands an urgent and concrete local and

global solution. It is, therefore, imperative to outline alternatives that will usher a safer world and

would replace the current dominant system.

Joining the global movement for climate justice, some civil society originations in Iligan City

in partnership with the academe will be initiating a public forum where alternative framework to

the dominant system will be discussed highlighting the successful local initiatives and efforts of

the grassroots communities in attaining sustainable development.

The Forum

The forum will be held on July 25, 2014 (1:00 to 5:00 PM) at the Amphi Theater, College

of Education, MSU-IIT. There are expected 150 individuals coming from the grassroots

communities, the academe, and different civil society organizations from Lanao del Norte, Lanao

del Sur and Iligan City to participate in the said forum.

This forum is organized by Sumpay Mindanao Inc.; Sustainable Alternatives for the

Advancement of Mindanao (SALAMA), Inc.; Mindanao Tri-people Youth Center

(MTPYC); Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)- Katawhang Migrante, Liga ng

Makabagong Kabataan (LMK); Ranaw Women and Children Resource Center (RWCRC),

Inc. in partnership with MSU-IIT’s Political Science Department, Kataastaasang Sanggunian

ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA), and the Center for Human Rights Education of the OVCRE

in coordination with International Institute for Research and Education (IIRE)-Manila.

Objectives

The forum aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. To popularize the alternative framework on climate justice;

2. To establish or organize new advocates for climate justice;

3. To link the efforts of climate activist in the locality.

Topics:

1. For an Ecofeminist Answer to the Climate Crisis

By Marijke Colle

2. Food Sovereignty and Climate Justice: Grassroots Communities’ Local Initiatives

By Ma.Gittel Saquilabon

3. The Bayug Island Eco-Governance Project: Partnership Model for the Academe,

Peoples’ Organization, National Government Agencies and LGUs in Mitigating the

Impact of Climate Change

By Prof. Elaine M. Baulete