F

Forum on Climate Crisis, Ecofeminism and Alternatives

Background
In the recent years, Philippines had experienced unprecedented and successive calamities that
claimed scores of lives, displaced millions of individuals and damaged billions worth of properties
and agricultural products. Many areas have become increasingly vulnerable to typhoons which
was never experienced decades ago. In 2011 and 2012, Typhoons Sendong and Pablo devastated
portions of the Island of Mindanao while in 2013, Typhoon Yolanda ravaged several areas in the
Philippines particularly in Visayas.
The melting of ice caps and permafrost, droughts, flooding, rising of sea level are rapidly
unfolding and becoming a common phenomenon. Undeniably, drastic changes in climate pattern
has caused the above mentioned phenomenon that are widely shared across the globe.
While many have pointed out that this crisis is caused by human activities, it is, however,
important to underscore that the bulk contribution to this problem is caused by the dominant global
order that permits private multinational companies to exploit natural resources in larger scale to
obtain excessive rate of profits. The massive extraction and exploitation of resources has
exacerbated the emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases responsible for the warming of the
world that alters the normal climate pattern.
The present erratic climate has constantly impacted the human existence. Specifically, it
exposed the grassroots communities into vulnerabilities. For instance, the pollution of water, land,
and air threatens the subsistence capacity of small scale producers to produce sufficient foods for
the society.
This crisis has become a time ticking bomb that demands an urgent and concrete local and
global solution. It is, therefore, imperative to outline alternatives that will usher a safer world and
would replace the current dominant system.
Joining the global movement for climate justice, some civil society originations in Iligan City
in partnership with the academe will be initiating a public forum where alternative framework to
the dominant system will be discussed highlighting the successful local initiatives and efforts of
the grassroots communities in attaining sustainable development.
The Forum
The forum will be held on July 25, 2014 (1:00 to 5:00 PM) at the Amphi Theater, College
of Education, MSU-IIT. There are expected 150 individuals coming from the grassroots
communities, the academe, and different civil society organizations from Lanao del Norte, Lanao
del Sur and Iligan City to participate in the said forum.
This forum is organized by Sumpay Mindanao Inc.; Sustainable Alternatives for the
Advancement of Mindanao (SALAMA), Inc.; Mindanao Tri-people Youth Center
(MTPYC); Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM)- Katawhang Migrante, Liga ng
Makabagong Kabataan (LMK); Ranaw Women and Children Resource Center (RWCRC),
Inc. in partnership with MSU-IITs Political Science Department, Kataastaasang Sanggunian
ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA), and the Center for Human Rights Education of the OVCRE
in coordination with International Institute for Research and Education (IIRE)-Manila.

Objectives

The forum aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. To popularize the alternative framework on climate justice;
2. To establish or organize new advocates for climate justice;
3. To link the efforts of climate activist in the locality.

Topics:
1. For an Ecofeminist Answer to the Climate Crisis
By Marijke Colle

2. Food Sovereignty and Climate Justice: Grassroots Communities Local Initiatives
By Ma.Gittel Saquilabon

3. The Bayug Island Eco-Governance Project: Partnership Model for the Academe,
Peoples Organization, National Government Agencies and LGUs in Mitigating the
Impact of Climate Change
By Prof. Elaine M. Baulete