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21 January
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27 January
Climate Change Convention’s 19thConference of the Parties here in Warsaw, from the bottom of
our hearts, thank you for your expression of sympathy to my country in the face of this national
difficulty.
In the midst of this tragedy, the delegation of the Philippines is comforted by the warm
hospitality of Poland, with your people offering us warm smiles everywhere we go. Hotel staff
and people on the streets, volunteers and personnel within the National Stadium have warmly
offered us kind words of sympathy. So, thank you Poland.
The arrangements you have made for this COP is also most excellent and we highly appreciate
the tremendous effort you have put into the preparations for this important gathering.
We also thank all of you, friends and colleagues in this hall and from all corners of the world as
you stand beside us in this difficult time. I thank all countries and governments who have
extended your solidarity and for offering assistance to the Philippines. I thank the youth present
here and the billions of young people around the world who stand steadfast behind my
delegation and who are watching us shape their future. I thank civil society, both who are
working on the ground as we race against time in the hardest hit areas, and those who are here
in Warsaw prodding us to have a sense of urgency and ambition. We are deeply moved by this
manifestation of human solidarity. This outpouring of support proves to us that as a human race,
we can unite; that as a species, we care.
It was barely 11 months ago in Doha when my delegation appealed to the world… to open our
eyes to the stark reality that we face… as then we confronted a catastrophic storm that resulted
in the costliest disaster in Philippine history. Less than a year hence, we cannot imagine that a
disaster much bigger would come. With an apparent cruel twist of fate, my country is being
tested by this hellstorm called Super Typhoon Haiyan, which has been described by experts as
the strongest typhoon that has ever made landfall in the course of recorded human history. It
was so strong that if there was a Category 6, it would have fallen squarely in that box. Up to this
hour, we remain uncertain as to the full extent of the devastation, as information trickles in in an
agonizingly slow manner because electricity lines and communication lines have been cut off
and may take a while before these are restored. The initial assessment show that Haiyan left a
wake of massive devastation that is unprecedented, unthinkable and horrific, affecting 2/3 of the
Philippines, with about half a million people now rendered homeless, and with scenes
reminiscent of the aftermath of a tsunami, with a vast wasteland of mud and debris and dead
bodies. According to satellite estimates, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration also estimated that Haiyan achieved a minimum pressure between around 860
mbar (hPa; 25.34 inHg) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated Haiyan to have
attained one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph) and gusts up to 378 km/h (235
mph) making it the strongest typhoon in modern recorded history. Despite the massive efforts
that my country had exerted in preparing for the onslaught of this monster of a storm, it was just
a force too powerful and even as a nation familiar with storms, Super Typhoon Haiyan was
nothing we have ever experienced before, or perhaps nothing that any country has every
experienced before.
The picture in the aftermath is ever so slowly coming into clearer focus. The devastation is
colossal. And as if this is not enough, another storm is brewing again in the warm waters of the
western Pacific. I shudder at the thought of another typhoon hitting the same places where
people have not yet even managed to begin standing up.
To anyone who continues to deny the reality that is climate change, I dare you to get off your
ivory tower and away from the comfort of you armchair. I dare you to go to the islands of the
Pacific, the islands of the Caribbean and the islands of the Indian ocean and see the impacts of
rising sea levels; to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and the Andes to see
communities confronting glacial floods, to the Arctic where communities grapple with the fast
dwindling polar ice caps, to the large deltas of the Mekong, the Ganges, the Amazon, and the
Nile where lives and livelihoods are drowned, to the hills of Central America that confronts
similar monstrous hurricanes, to the vast savannas of Africa where climate change has likewise
become a matter of life and death as food and water becomes scarce. Not to forget the massive
hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern seaboard of North America. And if that is not
enough, you may want to pay a visit to the Philippines right now.
The science has given us a picture that has become much more in focus. The IPCC report on
climate change and extreme events underscored the risks associated with changes in the
patterns as well as frequency of extreme weather events. Science tells us that simply, climate
change will mean more intense tropical storms. As the Earth warms up, that would include the
oceans. The energy that is stored in the waters off the Philippines will increase the intensity of
typhoons and the trend we now see is that more destructive storms will be the new norm.
This will have profound implications on many of our communities, especially who struggle
against the twin challenges of the development crisis and the climate change crisis. Typhoons
such as Yolanda (Haiyan) and its impacts represent a sobering reminder to the international
community that we cannot afford to procrastinate on climate action. Warsaw must deliver on
enhancing ambition and should muster the political will to address climate change.
In Doha, we asked “If not us then who? If not now, then when? If not here, then where?”
(borrowed from Philippine student leader Ditto Sarmiento during Martial Law). It may have fell
on deaf ears. But here in Warsaw, we may very well ask these same forthright questions. “If not
us, then who? If not now, then when? If not here in Warsaw, where?”
What my country is going through as a result of this extreme climate event is madness. The
climate crisis is madness.
We can stop this madness. Right here in Warsaw.
It is the 19th COP, but we might as well stop counting, because my country refuses to accept
that a COP30 or a COP40 will be needed to solve climate change. And because it seems that
despite the significant gains we have had since the UNFCCC was born, 20 years hence we
continue to fail in fulfilling the ultimate objective of the Convention. Now, we find ourselves in a
situation where we have to ask ourselves – can we ever attain the objective set out in Article 2 –
which is to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system? By failing to
meet the objective the Convention, we may have ratified the doom of vulnerable countries.
And if we have failed to meet the objective of the Convention, we have to confront the issue of
loss and damage. Loss and damage from climate change is a reality today across the world.
Developed country emissions reductions targets are dangerously low and must be raised
immediately, but even if they were in line with the demand of reducing 40-50% below 1990
levels, we would still have locked-in climate change and would still need to address the issue of
loss and damage.
We find ourselves at a critical juncture and the situation is such that even the most ambitious
emissions reductions by developed countries, who should have been taking the lead in
combatting climate change in the past 2 decades, will not be enough to avert the crisis. It is now
too late, too late to talk about the world being able to rely on Annex I countries to solve the
climate crisis. We have entered a new era that demands global solidarity in order to fight climate
change and ensure that pursuit of sustainable human development remains at the fore of the
global community’s efforts. This is why means of implementation for developing countries is
ever more crucial.
It was the Secretary general of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Earth
Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992, Maurice Strong who said that “History reminds us that what is
not possible today, may be inevitable tomorrow.”
We cannot sit and stay helpless staring at this international climate stalemate. It is now time to
take action. We need an emergency climate pathway.
I speak for my delegation. But more than that, I speak for the countless people who will no
longer be able to speak for themselves after perishing from the storm. I also speak for those
who have been orphaned by this tragedy. I also speak for the people now racing against time to
save survivors and alleviate the suffering of the people affected by the disaster.
We can take drastic action now to ensure that we prevent a future where super typhoons are a
way of life. Because we refuse, as a nation, to accept a future where super typhoons like Haiyan
become a fact of life. We refuse to accept that running away from storms, evacuating our
families, suffering the devastation and misery, having to count our dead, become a way of life.
We simply refuse to.
We must stop calling events like these as natural disasters. It is not natural when people
continue to struggle to eradicate poverty and pursue development and gets battered by the
onslaught of a monster storm now considered as the strongest storm ever to hit land. It is not
natural when science already tells us that global warming will induce more intense storms. It is
not natural when the human species has already profoundly changed the climate.
Disasters are never natural. They are the intersection of factors other than physical. They are
the accumulation of the constant breach of economic, social, and environmental thresholds.
Most of the time disasters is a result of inequity and the poorest people of the world are at
greatest risk because of their vulnerability and decades of maldevelopment, which I must assert
is connected to the kind of pursuit of economic growth that dominates the world; the same kind
of pursuit of so-called economic growth and unsustainable consumption that has altered the
climate system.
Now, if you will allow me, to speak on a more personal note.
Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in my family’s hometown and the devastation is
staggering. I struggle to find words even for the images that we see from the news coverage. I
struggle to find words to describe how I feel about the losses and damages we have suffered
from this cataclysm.
Up to this hour, I agonize while waiting for word as to the fate of my very own relatives. What
gives me renewed strength and great relief was when my brother succeeded in communicating
with us that he has survived the onslaught. In the last two days, he has been gathering bodies
of the dead with his own two hands. He is hungry and weary as food supplies find it difficult to
arrive in the hardest hit areas.
We call on this COP to pursue work until the most meaningful outcome is in sight. Until concrete
pledges have been made to ensure mobilization of resources for the Green Climate Fund. Until
the promise of the establishment of a loss and damage mechanism has been fulfilled; until there
is assurance on finance for adaptation; until concrete pathways for reaching the committed 100
billion dollars have been made; until we see real ambition on stabilizing greenhouse gas
concentrations. We must put the money where our mouths are.
This process under the UNFCCC has been called many names. It has been called a farce. It
has been called an annual carbon-intensive gathering of useless frequent flyers. It has been
called many names. But it has also been called the Project to save the planet. It has been called
“saving tomorrow today”. We can fix this. We can stop this madness. Right now. Right here, in
the middle of this football field.
I call on you to lead us. And let Poland be forever known as the place we truly cared to stop this
madness. Can humanity rise to the occasion? I still believe we can.
Update
During his speech, Sano added an unscripted pledge to fast during the conference, until
meaningful progress had been made. He said:
“In solidarity with my countrymen who are struggling to find food back home and with my brother
who has not had food for the last three days, in all due respect Mr. President, and I mean no
disrespect for your kind hospitality, I will now commence a voluntary fasting for the climate. This
means I will voluntarily refrain from eating food during this COP until a meaningful outcome is in
sight.”
Read more on: COP19 | Featured | Philippines
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Philippines warn Typhoon Bopha heralds new age of climate disasters
RTCC comment policy

CarbonFooledYa
Couldn’t agree more: it’s time to stop this madness, the madness of blaming everything on human made CO2.
Hurricanes are down overall. One data point on its own means nothing. If you go to the Pacific islands they
are growing, not sinking. Nothing but tired, debunked talking points and exaggeration — the Phillipinos are
catching on to this climate change scam.
o
Isha
By this comment, do you deny that CO2 causes global warming? If so, then kindly GET A BOOK
BEFORE RANTING! Or, better say sorry to your science teacher. While you’re at it, apologize to your
spelling teacher too. People of the Philippines are proudly Filipinos (not Phillipinos).
o
AnnaCamille
Present some evidence for that?
o
ahoy polloi
” If you go to the Pacific islands they are growing, not sinking. ”
I know that one data point means nothing, but your one quote above disqualifies you from
commenting further on climate change. But please do go to the Maldives, Kiribati, Nauru, etc and tell
them that their homelands are NOT sinking into the ocean. I have a feeling you would not get a polite
reception. Not that you’d deserve one….

Sugarsail1
The rate of geological uplift and subsidence of atolls in the South Pacific far outpaces the
average measured sea level change by nearly an order of magnitude in many places (10
times). Blaming a sinking country in a geologically active region on sea level change
exposes your ignorance of geophysics.

danhunt
The Philippine Islands are still being pushed upwards out of the ocean. They are not sinking
overall though I cannot suggest that some areas may be going down.
The error being made could be that the oceans have risen a few inches. This is creating big
problems in some low lying areas.
It’s best to use accurate satellite measurements rather than to try to eyeball any changes.
It’s hard to do with tides and you’d need to be a long time resident to actually notice the
changes in averages that indicate a rising oceal along with a rising land mass or a sinking
land mass such as harms Venice in a cumulative manner.
o
AnnaCamille
Here’s some science for you:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50548/abstract

CarbonFooledYa
The paper you link to says that the water is warming in the west Pacific. Hurricane activity is
at a low there but will rebound slightly. It’s not global warming.
o
41progress41
I’ll say this again…the scientific, academic, energy, and business sectors have moved passed “the
world is flat” climate change deniers…you are a joke to the adult world…along the lines of denying
gravity. Argue all you want, name call, dismiss…you have no relevance outside your coven. The
world moves along while you continue to have a temper tantrum about your love of dirty fuels.
Pathetic.

Todd Phillips
Ah the insults. Again and I will speak slowly, no one is suggesting that the climate has
changed for the better, we dispute the cause. You wish for large glaciers and the resulting
stravation that will follow. Sounds great! Go ahead and insult us some more.

Dave Park
The cause is only being disputed by those who choose to ignore the evidence… for
those who are open to rational review of the scientifically gathered data, there is no
more debate. Humans are contributing to climate change. Nobody is arguing for
‘large glaciers and the resulting starvation’. People are arguing that we should
mitigate our impact on the environment before the changes to it are irreversible
and bring more destruction to lives and property.
o
keze
Yes, I have to agree that CO2 is not the sole cause by the masses. How about our interrupted
weather patterns caused by weather modification hardware like HAARP. Why don’t the kind people
who told the others to get a book on climate change, look this stuff up online and realise that weather
modification and it’s subjective uses for political advantage is real? Terrible is the aftermath, both
physical and psychological, of what looks like to be an act of mother nature, only to find it was
actually man-made by a few elitists backed up by mad scientists with a strategy to depopulate our
planet…Check this out. http://youtu.be/LzxTXk1JCFw
o
Jean
“Climate change scam”… Wow man I’d really like you to be here (I mean here, on earth, not in your
redneck ivory tower) in a few decades when you’ll realize how blind and presumptuous humans have
been.
Go back watch Fox.

katejumawan
I still believe we can!

Jo
Great speech Mr. Yeb! I am moved!

Modie
Amen. Very timely speech.

http://naturalspaceenergy.weebly.com/ Arul Jose John Sahayam
when its comes to you for your relatives you won’t say this right????????????

http://naturalspaceenergy.weebly.com/ Arul Jose John Sahayam
for clear to you when heat is more, more water vapours create, that comes as heavy down pour rain
when temp increase pressure increase now don’t you feal some relavent idot stupid shut your gutter mouth if
your selfish idot don’t

Angel Lawin
I think the whole world must unite in using alternative sources of fuel and energy and not use fossil fuels
anymore.

Youth4Nature
thank you for speaking in behalf of our future.

Maryjane Alejo
i think you are the idiot, Jon. please read again before you open your mouth and comment with such
unbelievable ignorance and utter misunderstanding and blindness such as above.

gryzyxwoz
Trolls seem to be everywhere….

Maryjane Alejo
i think you are the idiot, Jon. and not mr.sano as you say he is. please read again before you open your mouth
and comment with such unbelievable ignorance and utter misunderstanding and blindness such as above.
have you asked yourself lately, “what have i done for my country, or at least for my neighbor or for my higher
intelligent self?”. maybe this simple question will help enlighten you.

Isha
i agree with Mr. Sano! the climate is to blame. the typhoon winds destroyed buildings and properties… and
that’s not what made the whole world grieving. what killed the victims is the storm surge. Philippines is an
archipelago made up of thousands of islands. during the typhoon, the water levels rose, and even the cities far
from the sea area became flooded. Many people drowned together with the debris. global warming has melted
the polar ice caps and that made the water levels rise so quickly that even you, commenter Jon, would be
surprised. with an interval of only 30 minutes, an empty city road became a river of debris. even you would
wish the whole pacific freezes into ice.

Lui Quiambao Manansala
saludo!

Isha
and you are an S class ignorant.(btw S means special which is above A). Haven’t you gone through grade
school? The mechanism about how CO2 prevents long wave radiation from escaping out to space thus getting
absorbed by greenhouse gases and contributes to global warming is pretty much the scientific evidence that
you’re looking for. Of course, you don’t expect Mr. Sano to explain this elementary concept to the delegates of
an international summit… or do you?

Isha
you are a class S ignorant

mariott
the cause of climate change is …. please Check HAARP.

Alain Pascua
We support you, Yeb! – Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP).

June Yasol
Sana tumalab ang kanyang ankop na pananalita!

AnnaCamille
Jon, you disgust me. My western ‘way of life’ is based on love and family, not using fossil fuels and hyperconsumerism.
In the past 10 years, I have changed, and am willing to change even further, my use of fossil fuels in order to
help mitigate this crisis. I don’t consider it a threat to my ‘way of life’ to ride a bike instead of driving to the
store, to take holidays closer to home, to buy simply things that I really need instead of buying all the things I
can. ‘Living large’ is not a lifestyle, it’s selfish.
This honorable man is not an idiot, he is a diplomat and a representative of the government. Show me where
in his statement he hatefully attacked you or your lifestyle… He is standing in solidarity with the common
people of the Philippines.
The scientific evidence is clear. Read up. Here are some organisations you might like to read up
from:http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus

Cecilie Aasbø
I wish for a meaningful outcome!

Chris At
“This means I will voluntarily refrain from eating food during this COP until a meaningful outcome is in sight.”
What a man!!!! – RESPECT

Kees Bontenbal
Prayers to who? God? You have the guts to deny climate change due to human activities. There’s more proof
for the cause of climate change than there is for the existence of your God. So if humans activity is not the
blame, who did? God? The one your praying to right now? Your either a sadist or completely insane.

Dadj Alcala
Wow! Im just moved.

AnnaCamille
And here is some science for you: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50548/abstract
Warmer oceans = stronger typhoons.
And more CO2 = warmer oceans.
And more fossil fuels = more CO2.
I think you don’t want to believe the science because you are scared of changing your lifestyle. But really, it’s
not a big change we are asking for – just that you know when ‘enough is enough’.

Ralph Libosada
Jon, you are the worst idiot and moron ever!
I like your english but your mind is full of rubbish, i cant even find a single trace of scientific grain out
there…zzz

† Sam Bongcac
I STAND WITH MY FELLOW FILIPINO! We can get through this!
#proud.

Denise
You, sir, are one of the reasons why there is a ridiculous amount of trash in the Philippines. And sadly, you’re
included in the said trash.

inner_U
calling Yeb Sano name does NOT DEFINE the man he is but the person YOU ARE… and I don’t need any
proof, scientific or otherwise–just the rubbish words that came out from your mouth…
… and oh by the way, have you heard about PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE? — yes, the same principle
everyone ought to have these days—”better safe than sorry”… and that’s what exactly happened to US, to the
people in Leyte and other areas… we underestimated Yolanda… obviously, nobody thought the storm’s
catastrophic effects because NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE we’ve ever had about level 5 storm???
my question to your intelligent and rational mind is: What if 10 years from now science proves climate change
is real and MAN is CAUSING It? Will it make sense? What purpose will “your evidence” make if millions of
people have died, properties destroyed, countries erased from face of the earth????

Ed Deak
Nothing can or will be done under the present crime wave of the neoclassical economic theory, and
deregulated money creation demanding conversion into resources to “create wealth”, taught in our and the
world’s universities as a “science”. The stockmarkets would never permit any changes, as it would cut into
profits and so the world will keep on destroying itself. There was a letter in our local paper just last week,
claiming that there’s no global warming, but cooling.

Shoshanna Howard
Feeling inspired and heartbroken.

BernadetteSchmidt
Wow! I’m out of words Mr. Yeb. You’ve done it by heart. Salamat, GBUs…

relocalizers
Deserves wide distribution. But folks, notice how conversation is diverted and distracted by a person or two
who are ignorant of the best human evidence we have. The science isn’t at issue here, stepping up to climate
change is.
These deniers might very well be paid trolls, paid to hijack climate change being taken seriously. Or they might
feel important thinking everyone else wrong. Denouncing them simply gives them power and will serve to
deepen their commitment to folly.
Just love’em and leave them be. They will not be persuaded til they are, In the meantime work with those who
can see the issue.
o
Todd Phillips
How is an honest discussion on an opinion of the facts a diversion. You don’t want to concede even
the possibility the warming may not be man made and you consider your self open minded? That is
not science that is religion.

Laurel Lee Mayo
I will do my best to help with the change, I will use my vote to elect someone who will lead us to change, I will
purchase foods that support healthy change, I will buy goods made with sustainable material, I will buy an
electric car, I will heat my home with a heat pump and I will share the message for change every chance I get.
You have my promise on this. I will do this for all the people who have died or lost homes in the crazy extreme
storms we are having now. Yes, the madness ends today because we will stop trying to convince people that
it is happening and we will begin to make the change happen at a grassroots level.

maria
Jon, inform yourself before making such statements. Here is some reality for you.
https://realitydrop.org/#myths/19

Todd Phillips
The lack of intelligence here is amazing. What does a hurricane have to do with global warming, man made or
natural. Its not the 20th storm to hit this year, just a strong one. We had the 4th lowest year (ACE 28.55) in the
Atlantic since we have kept records. I wish the ignorant of the world would just shut their mouths, but It is to
much to ask.
o
Rudy Dajoh
Storm means only one thing. A drastic difference between two areas, thus triggering air to move fast
between them. A storm simply means that there is an area that has those drastic difference to offset
those difference. Remember your elementary subjects.. In earlier days, where climate are uniform,
air move not that fast, thus we won’t see a storm. More storms coming, means there are more
climate change is happening. In this term, it means that some area are denser and hotter than the
other, and nowadays, as everyone may have noticed, the air is getting hotter and hotter. Those storm
is only a side effect when some areas is getting hotter. The more storm coming, means more areas
with rising temperature. Now, you still denies that storm doesn’t have to do with global warming?
And you can tell that no global waming to people of Maldives. They are bound to be wept by sea in a
few years
o
JL Mante
Yeah its hard if its your own family that are dead and your whole city devastated. Where do you live?
Maybe you are high and dry. A lot of my countrymen are not. Though we cannot directly attribute
stronger typhoons to climate change it is folks like you who are too ignorant or too dense to be a
decent human being in times like these. Be sensitive. Lack of intelligence? What an insulting thing to
say specially about a man who spoke about a personal tragedy. You sir have no heart.

TomHarrisICSC
You are right to say that he should speak more sensitively in the light of the huge
humanitarian crisis. However, looking past that, his statements appear correct scientifically:
“What does a hurricane have to do with global warming, man made or natural. Its not the
20th storm to hit this year, just a strong one. We had the 4th lowest year (ACE 28.55) in the
Atlantic since we have kept records.”
This is one of the few areas of agreement between the UN Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) and the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change
(NIPCC).
In 2012 the IPCC asserted that a relationship between global warming and wildfires, rainfall,
storms, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events has not been demonstrated. In their
latest assessment report released on September 27, 2013, IPCC scientists concluded that
they had only “Low confidence” that “damaging increases will occur in either drought or
tropical cyclone activity” as a result of global warming.
The NIPCC report released on September 17, 2013 concluded the same, asserting that “In
no case has a convincing relationship been established between warming over the past 100
years and increases in any of these extreme events.”
Rather than trying to mitigate (i.e., stop) these storms, something we have little chance of
accomplishing, we must prepare for them by burying electrical cables underground,
reinforcing buildings and taking other actions. Thousands of people died in the Philippines
because they were not properly prepared. Yet, when a similar typhoon hit Queensland,
Australia in 2011 no one died because they were ready. Proper preparation, not mitigation,
is the best approach to dealing with typhoons and hurricanes.
o
Jean
Yeah yeah and your next argument will be : “it’s snowing more and more, it must mean that global
warming is not happening!”
Just because you have some scientific-ish figures doesn’t mean your logic isn’t flawed.
Oh, and calling stupid everyone who don’t agree with you will not make you look more clever.
o
jt
You are ignorant. Storms feed and gather strength from warmer waters. As the sea warms up, the
stronger the storms become. I admire your courage to comment while millions of people right now
sleep without roof over them and barely eat once a day. I dare you to be at a centre of a CAT 5 storm
next time and tremble of fear, or a dear loved one of yours being pierced by a piece of debris. How
callous and inhuman can you be. The best thing you should have done is to shut up.
o
Jim Oates
Those who doubt human induced climate change are living inside a fantasy…they have not traveled
very extensively because the effects of climate change are obvious in every region of the planet, and
in all parts of the biosphere.
Only an imbecile would deny that humans have been conducting extensive, uncontrolled chemistry
experiments for >200 years, putting vast amounts of human-made molecules into the atmosphere,
oceans, and on land. If you do not deny that, then somehow you must believe that no consequences
are resulting through unintended chemical reactions, or through bio-accumulation of these molecules.
(Our food contains a smorgasbord of manmade molecules…so you can find a measure of the extent
of these experiments in your own body fat and hair.)
The human-induced chemistry that explains these unusual “natural disasters”, is well understood.
The root causes are known…human activities are causing these events to occur. Some of the
disastrous implications of a warming planet, because of greenhouse effect, are easy to predict (and
to see and confirm with the earth sensing satellites that record thousands of measurements a day,
only adding to the body of scientific evidence for human induced climate change.)
You ask “What does a hurricane have to do with global warming, man made or natural?” Even if you
are not traveling anywhere else other than your living room couch, convincing evidence providing
your answer, is at your fingertips (given that you are reading this).
So either you are so deluded by fear or some personal prejudice, or are incapable of normal
cognitive function, or your denial is actually due to a personal financial vested interest in fossil fuels
development, mining, or other commercial activity that is causing or contributing to the downward
spiral we are now rapidly accelerating into.
o
Andrea Olson
You are speaking to yourself.
o
Jose Cruz
are you stupid? Just a strong one? Are you out of your mind? Why did you post on this thread.

Todd Phillips
I know free thought is a threat to your beliefs. Propoganda cannot be challenged under any
circumstances.

Susan Uy
WOW! a very meaningful strong well said appeal on climate change also heartbreaking as i relate to his agony
as my helper Maricars family was devastated in eastern Samar.. Was crying reading his appeal…Its a strong
call for action & repentance as i know that God could send this massive storm again. God bless my country
Philippiness & may His mercy & grace be upon us all..

bon
with all due respect of the comments here, you cannot just say its a science problem and pin pointing
somebody to be blame.. we all do have needs and consumption that we need. we are just humans. what we
need is little act of responsibility and awareness of ourselves that this world is now facing its own catastrophic
tragedy, little by little. I live in the area in the Philippines where it has been hit with recent magnitude 7.2 earth
quake and the category 5 super typhoon haiyan/yolanda in the central part of the Philippines in Visayas we
cannot predict nature when its time to pay off. but we can help lessen the carbon consumption and other
waste that can help warmer temperature in the sea. My country is a little piece of the world but we are the
ones who faced and knew the great devastation that would come in the near future, if we cannot change a
little things now. the out come would the worst. A little changes, step by step because we cannot change
everything today but if we act on our little ways maybe we can change tomorrows future.

Steve Veltkamp
I am tired of people saying scientific consensus means the debate is over. Remember the great scientific
consensus of the last century was in favor of eugenics. Science is not about, and should never be about,
consensus.

Rene L. Lopez
Hopefully this time someone or somebody is listening!

Sonja
Actually yes. It is the time for insults directed to the deniers. I claim no higher sense of decency than the next
person. I don’t need to be the “bigger” person.
I call you deniers scum. You are worse than the person who aids and abetts a murderer, the person who
covers up for a paedophile.
You are trying to facilitate the death of my daughter and her future children. Your right to stupidity is trumped
by my right to life
I wish you deniers the worst. May you all be burned alive.

Michael Foster
I’m fasting with Sano for the climate in solidarity with the people of the Philippines who have lost everything.
Starting now. Will you join us? “until a meaningful outcome is in sight.”

Revell13
One of the easiest ways to describe climate change and climate change deniers.
“If you have a sore tooth, and your dentist tells you it has to be removed, you don’t then go off to a hundred
different dentists until you find one that says it might be ok to leave it, you simply get it removed (or a second
opinion, then removal)”
Climate deniers are going from one scientist to the next in search of one that will tell them that maybe its not
our fault, this is only going to leave us with an infected planet, much like leaving a rotten tooth to decay further.

Johnny Bautista
From a Fil-Am:> ” I totally agree with the message of this article. But then, why is the Philippines building new
coal-fired power plants in Mindanao when Ilocos Norte has been getting at least 40% of its electricity from
wind since 2005? Why shouldn’t Mindanao use wind turbines like Ilocos Norte to generate electricity? Wind
has zero carbon footprint and therefore, unlike coal, does not contribute to global warming. In addition, there is
so much free wind and sunshine in the Philippines for generating electricity, why is there a need for the
country to buy coal to generate more electricity?”
o
windmillgirl
It is easy to say, oh, yes let’s take our energy from wind. it is not easy to do. mindanao is
mountainous, hence, winds can be very gusty but intermittent. to have a viable and effective wind
farm, you would need constant wind flow. it does not even have to be very strong, it just has to be
constant. now, other sources of energy in mindanao include hydropower sources, i.e. ma. cristina
falls and lanao lake. the problem with this is, as the earth gets hotter and as our population gets
larger, the water levels are going down and we are finding it incredibly hard to sustain the power
needs of mindanao through this only; hence the regular blackouts in the area. also, rebels controlling
areas where some of the AGUS (hydropower plant) units are are making it difficult to build and
maintain these units until they are forced to shut down. what am i saying? it is not so simple. yes, we
wish it were… but there are too many factors surrounding this issue: poverty, insurgency, geography,
corruption (in the government and the senior leadership in the power plants) and plain indifference
towards the environment and the needs of the people – for it to be easily resolved by just saying lets
build windmills. in so saying, we did research years ago on the feasibility of a windfarm in a specific
area in mindanao. it is just not the type of energy source fit for the area.

peoplepower
Interesting comments here. I like the timing of the typhoons, it’s like someone presses an activate button
during COP, same thing happened last year during COP 18. I am really curious to know the life styles of
everyone here complaining about climate change, if you are really concerned live a sustainable life style in the
truest sense. Get off the grid and use sustainable energy sources stop the blame game, power lies with the
people not politicians. It’s all in your hands.

jednme
The utter devastation in the Philippines is beyond comprehension. How can anyone with a brain even begin to
think that Global Warming and climate change is a myth. The evidence is everywhere, yet still politicians and
so many in power, who could do something radical to make the people of this world sit up and take notice still
live in denial. It is shattering to see what has happened in the Philippines, there are no words to describe the
devastation of just everything. I cant begin to comprehend how these people will ever be able to get their lives
together again… People of this planet have to take notice and stop the greed and listen to what the scientists
and the earth is telling us. It is impossible to ignore! My heart goes out to the people who have had to endure
terrible disasters, because of the ignorance of mankind.

danhunt
Funny how deniers don’t do the science!!

Fryktlaus
Noone says that the climatic changes doesn’t exists. But what causes them? Not Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Look
at water/steam/clouds and solar activities. Magnetic fields on earth, Temperature trends from the past 10.000
years or even earlier.

wideEyedPupil
What are your “Proper limits”. My country Australia has the highest per capita consumption of energy in the
world so my 10% of average usage is still very high by developing nation standards.
There are some things which only governments can do and us all getting our energy efficiency together will
not force them to change. Only insistent and constant demands from the population will cause the paid-off
leaders to follow the will of the public on this.

Gallant011
I would prefer to Live without this kind of modernized conversation rather than watching more people die and
more devastation occurs..

Dale Jose C. Gozar
I’m a Building Architect in Japanese Oil & Gas Engineering company –doing projects with high level of
strength, quality, safety standards and precautionary measures (Safe Haven & Cyclone/Blast resistant
Building). In 2009 my family also was victim of Typhoon Ondoy wherein I almost died in trying to rescuing
them, Because of my current work specialization & years of living in Japan – I sincerely want to help or share
my knowledge on how to cope with the Hazard brought about by Climate Change.
In 2010, I joined a Global Design Competition about a housing project that is well adapted for Climate Change
(by Mr. Ilac Diaz) entitled “Design Against the Elements (Water or flooding, Wind or typhoons, Earth or
quakes, & Fire)”.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DAtE-Design-Against-the-Elements/132544990112155
Professional entry fee of P1300 approx.
Modesty aside my entry (no.135) was favorite during Quezon City Hall Exhibit and it was displayed first in front
row facing directly the exhibit entrance. Honestly, I also studied other entries in the competition so I was pretty
confident in winning and I was very excited to help our people & government by sharing my views, experience
and ideas about Climate Change adaptation.
A week prior to announcement of winners I was interviewed (recorded on video) by National Geography & Mr.
Ilac Diaz. One of the questions was ” If you win, what will you do with the Prize money”. I did not directly
answered the question and only said “I only want to share my knowledge & ideas about Climate Change
adaptation”.
On the day of announcement of winners, I was again interviewed (recorded on video) by TJ Manotoc @ my
office. One of his questions was “Why did I join this competition?” and so I said again “I only want to share my
knowledge & ideas about Climate Change adaptation”.
To my surprise, my entry was not included in the winners and all 5 Final entries was done by foreigners. In my
frustrations I immediately called Mr. Ilac Diaz to express my disappointment & questioned the results. I told
him that cost factor only constitute 15% of judging criteria when I easily get 85% in others factors. Also,
competition is not about Low Cost Housing.
I eventually understood that this Design Competition – although global did not generate funds because very
few joined (approx. 150 entries) with very few sponsor/support from private sector & new government(Pres.
Aquino). I only wish they had approached me directly about waving or giving the Prize money to charity.
Hence, my efforts and motivation in joining was not entirely fulfilled because without the win I cannot prove or
convince people. And people may not interpret my Vision correctly.
Every year (in the last 3-4 yrs), I always feel sad about news of disaster/calamities in our country and how our
people are dying or suffering and how our government is struggling to cope with the situation.
Hazards brought about by Climate Change & our Geography is imminent and will worsen @ a bigger scale &
interval.
How I wish can be heard and discussed my ideas with our leaders and other experts in our country.
May God Bless & Spare us all………….

Reshu Bashyal
I really appreciate the things mentioned in speech…we can’t deny the dreadful situations we’ll face on near
future. It’s high time we should collaborate…(in my view)

Robert Holmes
What Yeb Sano says or implies; that its our CO2 emissions that caused this Typhoon is rediculous rubbish.
Its even more insane to imagine that imposing taxes and incresing energy costs on people will make the
weather change for the better.

Joan Russow
It is unconscionable the way the major greenhouse gas emitting states can ignore the pleas of low lying
states, which, like the Philippines, are fighting for mere survival, and the way the major greenhouse gas
emitting states continue to ignore the science, to defy the precautionary principle and to abandon the principle
of common and differentiated responsibility.

Joan Russow
It is unconscionable the way the major greenhouse gas emitting states can ignore the pleas of low lying
states, which, like the Philippines, are fighting for
mere survival, and the way the major greenhouse gas emitting states
continue to ignore the science, to defy the precautionary principle
and to abandon the principle of common and differentiated responsibility.
At COP15 an IPPC scientist said at 2 degrees rise in temperature the poor, the
vulnerable and the disenfranchised would not survive, at 1;5, they might. After
the failure of COP 19 no one will survive
G77 states should take the major greenhouse gas-emitting states to International Court of Justice for defying
the precautionary principle, for ignoring the principle of common and differentiated responsibility, and for
violating Article 2 of the UNFCCC
At every Climate Change conference the question is posed “where will we get the funds to address the
urgency of climate change?” One answer is to end fossil fuel subsidies and invest in renewable socially
equitable and environmentally sound energy. Another answer is to reallocate Global military expenses.
Not only does militarism divert funds from climate justice but also militarism is a
major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
http://pejnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9466:cop-19-reallocate-at-least-50-ofglobal-military-budget-to-address-urgency-of-climate-change&catid=104:i-peace-news&Itemid=204

Mari Rose P D
I hope you got your expected meaningful outcome Mr. Yeb Sano! I hope your fasting served its purpose. I
have yet to read and know the result of this UN Climate summit… Congratulations for a powerful, meaningful
speech!

Greg Ernst
BRILLIANT THANK YOU Yeb Sano.
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