Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) reached the Philippines on Friday, November 8. This super typhoon has affected over 9 million people rendering hundreds of thousands either homeless or dead. Winnipeg local news have broadcasted efforts from the community to raise funds for relief efforts. But, is it enough? Can we donate to help rebuild Tacloban as it once was with the confidence in knowing that super storms like this won’t strike again? I want to encourage us to think beyond emergency relief and consider our role in shaping climate change.
Typhoons are nothing new to the Philippines. Over 20 such storms have already hit the islands this year. The strength of Typhoon Haiyan however has never been seen. Proponents of climate change argue that warmer oceans means stronger storms. Haiyan happened to harness this energy to build 300 miles wide (about the entire north-south distance of the continental United States) to hit Tacloban and surrounding Visayan islands at its peak intensity. We can see from the media that there isn’t much left. Here, our hearts bleed at the images.
On November 11, Naderev “Yeb” Sano, stood before 190 delegates in Warsaw at the UN Climate Change Conference to make an emboldened plea on behalf of his “countrymen.” A resident of Tacloban, he shared in the horror of losing communication with his family while at the conference. He also shared how his brother survived and is now helping in efforts to bury the numerous dead. Fighting back tears, he stated:
In solidarity with my countrymen who are struggling to find food back home … I will now commence a voluntary fasting for the climate… This means I will voluntarily refrain from eating food during this (conference) until a meaningful outcome is in sight.
His statement touched me. It brought me to feel his pain and guilt. There are thousands of us here in Winnipeg preparing our homes for the upcoming harsh winter. We have running water, heat, and food. Many among us have cars (some are likely to be SUVs) and countless electronic gadgets. We watch the news and shake our heads. We want to help so we dig into our wallets. But, we don’t question why. Why did Haiayan become a super typhoon? Is this the new normal?
Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development announced that the federal government is prepared to match funds raised as well as donate $5 million towards Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. In Manitoba, Premier Greg Selinger has also pledged $100 thousand towards the same cause. As a community we are grateful. However, as a member of the same planet, we should think to do more. Let’s ask our governments what climate change means to them. Let’s ask ourselves what our own carbon footprint looks like.
I am hardly an expert on climate change. I only fear that there are more Taclobans out there if we don’t shift our thinking.
Sources:
BBC News. 11/11/13 “Typhoon prompts ‘fast’ by Philippines climate delegate,” News Asia (cited 11/11/13).
BBC News. 11/11/13 “Why was Typhoon Haiyan so fierce?” News Asia (cited 11/11/13).
Government of Canada. 11/10/13 “Canada launches matching fund to help those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan,” Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada (cited 11/11/13).
Province of Manitoba. 11/9/13 “Province pledges $100,000 in response to Typhoon Haiyan” (cited 11/11/13).
Washington Post. 11/11/13 “Tearful plea from Philippines delegate as typhoon overshadows opening of UN climate talks,” In the News (cited 11/11/13).
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