Archdiocesan Convention on Climate Emergency held in Phillippines

Margarita Rio V. Diongzon

February 5, 2020

The First Archdiocesan Convention on Climate Emergency, with the theme, “500 Years of Christianity, Gifted to Give: Journey, Hope, Act Together in the Face of Climate Emergency” happened on January 31 to February 1, 2020 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines. This was one of the responses of the Archdiocese of Cebu to Pope Francis’ encyclical letter “Laudato Si’”.

The convention aims to bring together participants from various sectors: Clergies, Religious Lay Leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Local Government Units, Academe, Faith-Based Organizations, Government Agencies, Media, Business Sectors, Youth Organizations, and Community and Grass Roots Representatives. A total of 464 participants were gathered to explore ways for the environment and to create a concrete action to move forward in protecting our common home. The two-day convention focused on 5 ecological themes that were taken from the 13 ecological actions of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines: Renewable Energy, Water Security and Sustainability, Climate Change and Disaster Resiliency, Solid Waste Management, and Marine Ecosystem Conservation.

The Salesian Lay Volunteer Organization answered the call of the Archdiocese of Cebu to be part of the solution on environmental protection and climate change. Let us all be part of this journey and ACT (Acting on Climate Together) now!