NATURE IS GETTING BACK AT US Edna Pana1; 1RIDGE TO REEF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCY, INC., MAKATI, Philippines; PAPER: 204/Laws/Regular (Oral) OL SCHEDULED: 17:10/Wed. 29 Nov. 2023/Orchid ABSTRACT: A PUNISHING and challenging climate change is here. With the global temperature rising - from the melting of the arctic zones to the frequent flooding in the tropics, and cyclical droughts in the deserts of Africa, to the worst desertification in India and China and the sea-level rise in lowland states --- the reality is pervasive and destructive to both poor and rich citizens of the world. Both Developed and Developing countries experiences these destructive weather patterns. No one country is spared from scorching heat and raging waters. In fact, the global corona virus pandemic and these on-going climate crises has prompted Inger Andersen, the United Nations Environment Chief to say that “Nature is sending us a message” and that “humanity, was placing too many pressures on the natural world with damaging consequences”, and she warned that “failing to take care of the planet meant not taking care of ourselves”. It has been established that human activities, particularly massive development and infrastructure works caused the temperature rise in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas emissions from pollutive industries and extensive corporate agricultural activities , as well as motor vehicles pollution indexes have increased for the last five decades. A question maybe asked, What have we, the humanity, done, so far, to address these problems and introduce counter-measures in order to cushion the impact of environmental destruction? A review and evaluation of the legal frameworks are necessarily important, in order to determine that these dynamic and fast moving changes in nature are effectively addressed, properly or distinctively. Climate control, climate resiliency, disaster preparedness become the byword. Do we really have to live with these cyclical weather patterns or do we make concrete actions to preserve mother earth, including precious lives. Thus, the following legal frameworks must be identified, clustered and reviewed to pinpoint whether the whole of humanity have instituted reforms and established proper and corrective climate control mechanisms to manage and limit these environmental destruction. These frameworks are as follows: a. International Treaties or Conventions; b. Regional Treaties or Agreements; and c. Domestic or National Laws. |