ISSUES CONFRONTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

The relationship between humans and the environment is

interdependence and permanent interaction. Almost everything that a
human does is in response to the environment. The earth affects humans,
and humans affect it back. Human beings then are determined and defined
by the environment in which they live in.
Climate change has been one of the greatest challenges of our time
that detriments the development of life on earth and adversely affect the
livelihood of the people. It places the environment and human health to an
immediate and great risk and threat. The consequences of climate change
have considerably interfered with the enjoyment and realization of human
rights, such as the right to life; right to health; right to food; and right to
water and sanitation.
1. Right to life
Right to life is the most important right of human beings.
It is the supreme right and basic to all human rights. This right
shall be protected by law and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived
of this right. Human beings cannot possibly survive without clean
air, clean water, food and habitable climate. It is therefore
imperative to preserve the environment in order to enjoyably
exercise the right to life.
President Obama said in one of his interview that climate
change kills more people than terrorism. Records show that each
year about 4.9 million deaths worldwide are caused by climate
change and projecting deaths to increase to over 5.9 million per
year by 2030. From this data, 1.4 million deaths yearly are
cause by air pollution; this being the most numbered deaths.
Air pollution is the contamination of air, irrespective of
indoor or outdoor. The causes of air pollution among others are
the emission of gasses from vehicles; the release of chemicals
into the air by the factories and industries; and the dust and
chemicals released during mining operation. Though, in one way

or another, we rely on them, but the overuse of which is killing

our environment and consequently, the death of the people.
In China, air pollution has become a major issue in its
environment and people. More than 1.6 million people per year
die in China from breathing toxic air. Their leaders have been
waging war against pollution and have been trying all types of
innovations to clean up its air.
2. Right to health
Every human being is entitled to a life
physical, mental and social well-being and not
absence of disease or infirmity. The World Health
defines right to health as the enjoyment of
attainable standard of physical and mental health.
of this right requires also the preservation
environment.

of complete
merely the
Organization
the highest
The exercise
of a clean

3. Right to food
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural rights recognizes the the right of an adequate standard
of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, as
well as the fundamental right to be free from hunger. It is the
obligation of the state to take whatever steps necessary to
ensure that everyone is free from hunger and as soon as
possible enjoy the right to adequate food.
The world faces a great problem of extreme shortages of
food. About 795 million people in the world are suffering from
chronic hunger. Poor nutrition causes nearly half of deaths in
children under five. The increased frequency and intensity of
extreme weather; rising temperature and sea levels; as well as
floods and drought have a significant impact on the right to food.
According to United Nations, climate change poses severe
and distinct threats to food security and could subject an
additional 600 million people to malnutrition by 2080. Today,
more than 36 million people face hunger across southern and
eastern Africa because of draught and rising temperature.

4. Right to water and sanitary

The access to safe water is a fundamental human need
and therefore a basic human right. Water and sanitation are
essential element for life, health, dignity, empowerment and
prosperity. Over two thirds of Earths surface is covered by
water; less than a third is taken up by land. Humans use water
for everything from drinking and bathing to their means of
livelihood such as the growing crops, supporting livestock and
fish farms and also to the generating of electricity.
Water scarcity has been one of the effects of climate
change in our environment. It has caused receding glaciers,
reduced stream and river flow, and shrinking lakes and ponds.
Climate change also affects the cleanliness of the water. Water
pollution means one or more substances have built up in water
to such an extent that they cause problems for people. Heavy
downpours and flooding cause pollution to water making them
unusable and unsafe.
Today, nearly 783 million people do not have access to
clean drinking and safe water worldwide, and more than 3
million people die every year from water-borne illnesses. Water
scarcity and water pollution affect everyone, but it is most
serious in the developing countries and countries who suffer
draught and rising temperature.

APPLICABLE LAWS
September 2010 United Nations Human Rights Council
Resolution on Human rights and access to safe drinking water
and sanitation
The resolution, adopted by consensus by the Human Rights Council,
affirms that the right to water and sanitation are part of existing
international law. This body has therefore confirmed that these rights
are legally binding upon States.
This is an important step, States parties to the International Covenant
on Economic Social and Cultural Rights can no longer deny their
responsibility to provide safe water and sanitation for all individuals.

Republic Act No. 9275 March 22, 2004

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Republic Act No. 8749

June 23, 1999
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION
CONTROL POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8749
PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999