Earth Day: a Southeast Asia regional perspective

Menandro S. Abanes, Jakarta Post 30 Apr 09;

"All the regions of the Philippines; the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam; almost all the regions of Cambodia; the North and East of the Lao PDR; the Bangkok region of Thailand; and West Sumatra, South Sumatra, West Java and East Java of Indonesia are all among the most vulnerable regions in Southeast Asia." These are the conclusions of a study entitled "Climate Change Vulnerability Mapping for Southeast Asia" by the Economic and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) in 2009.

There were three factors considered in the study to identify these climate change "hotspots," namely, climatic hazards (floods, droughts, cyclones, etc.), human and ecological sensitivity (population density and protected areas), and adaptive capacities (socio-economic data, technology and infrastructure).

Climate change, as we know, is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. Conservation International (CI) identified the areas called biodiversity hotspots in dire need of conservation and protection due to high prevalence of species and high risks.

Of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world identified by CI, Southeast Asia hosts four of these; Indo-Burma, the Philippines, Sundaland (Borneo and Sumatra), and Wallacea (Sulawesi and Moluccas). These biodiversity hotspots are home to thousands of endemic species, some of which are threatened and endangered.

With climate change ever threatening our rich regional biodiversity, as concerned ASEAN citizens, what can we do in our endeavors to conserve and protect our biodiversity?

Global environmental issues and concerns such as climate change and biodiversity loss are covered by Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to address such issues. For example, the issue of climate change is tackled by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) while biodiversity loss is covered by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

If there is one measure that can be credited for slowing down global environmental degradation and promoting global environmental vigilance and care, then it is, I must say, the collection of MEAs which are legally binding on the countries who signed these environmental conventions.

Although there still exist tremendous challenges to combat global environmental problems, the MEAs have shown the achievements, limitations and potentiality of these agreements to confront pressing and complex global environmental issues such as threats to biodiversity. MEAs have laid a good foundation and framework for policy and actions by decision-makers, if we intend to really do something on biodiversity conservation.

For activists, MEAs have provided a good starting point for discussion, debate, criticism and action. As citizens of signatory Parties, which are our governments, we are called upon to advance the goal of protecting and conserving our Earth from human destructiveness and greed. We should push our governments to help them comply with their obligations to prevent and manage negative human impacts on the Earth.

The current political-economic situation in our region and even in the world may not look conducive to significant reforms to highlight environmental protection and conservation, but the reports of EEPSEA on climate change "hotspots" may trigger responses and key actions from governments, private sector and NGOs.

Various national problems in the region bring us to the challenges facing regional structures. As we know, regional environmental issues and concerns are not insulated from national political and economic problems facing member states. New elections in Indonesia mean a new government and new directions, whilst economic recession is affecting Singapore.

There is an impending election in the Philippines, along with political uncertainties in Thailand and Myanmar. Malaysia also has a new leader and government. These are the changing realities in the region, affecting the efforts and directions we may take in protecting and conserving the Earth from the negative impacts of climate change and other environmental hazards.

There are logical reasons to look beyond countries and nation-states to determine adequate responses to the social, political, economic and environmental realities that challenge us. We must examine and push forward regional structures such as ASEAN to play a more enhanced role in addressing transnational concerns and issues.

Regional structures can represent and articulate collective interests and, at the same time, manage collective affairs and obligations of member states in regional and global levels.

The power and jurisdiction in tackling environmental concerns and issues must not rest solely on individual governments.

Various actors such as NGOs, the private sector and individuals have shown and proven their contributions in combating and mitigating climate change. These partnerships within countries and beyond can open up environmental possibilities from which we can draw valuable lessons.

Regional structures can offer cooperative problem-solving mechanisms bringing together ASEAN member states to provide our Earth with a breathing space in the midst of choking challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

ASEAN is blessed with rich biodiversity. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to our region to witness and enjoy this richness. Let us help our region protect and conserve its biodiversity. Let us have one region on Earth that showcases the beauty and wonders of biodiversity - let it be ASEAN.

The writer is a Research Associate of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity based in the Philippines.