Time is Running Out! by Pam Pastor
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tik Tok Campaign for Climate Action’s artist advocates speak up about the environment, climate change and what you can do about it
TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
The Dakila Artist Collective partnered with international NGO Oxfam GB to spread this important message—that we have no time to waste and that we all need to do something about climate change.
Part of the international tck tck tck campaign, Tik Tok Campaign for Climate Action has one mission—to tell Filipinos that action is needed now.
Realizing the importance of protecting our environment, more than 80 artists from different fields—from television and fashion to music and visual arts—joined the campaign to help tell spread the word.
Around 50 artists recorded the song “No Time To Waste,” which has become the Tik Tok Campaign Anthem of the Philippines. A music video was also made. On Dec. 12, a 12-hour concert will be held at the Marikina Riverbanks simultaneously with other events all over the globe to support this advocacy as world leaders meet at a UN Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark to talk about climate action.
Super asked some of the campaign’s artist advocates to talk about climate change, climate action and why you should spend Dec. 12 with them, pushing for change.
Why she joined the campaign: “I believe in caring for the environment and the advocacy for sustainable living because it will eventually provide abundance and fullness of life.”
What she wants you to know: “We have heard about global warming for years and it’s not just fiction. It’s really happening. Ondoy and Pepeng are not just one-time events but we could expect such super typhoons to happen every now and then. The global temperature has come to a critical point such that if we don’t take drastic steps in order to reduce it, it could wipe out the human race all together. The youth today could be the last generation.
Therefore if we want to see life in the future and still enjoy our grandchildren, everyone must take action. A change in lifestyle within each of us will contribute a lot.
What you can do: 1. Say no to plastics and styrofoam.
2. Bring your own water bottle when going to the gym to reduce the use of water bottles. When in a coffee shop, you can bring your own coffee container, or better yet, enjoy it in a mug.
3. Go Hybrid. Walk more, Bike more. Take carpools. More exercise, healthier alternative and reduce carbon emissions of cars. Convert your gas engine car to LPG or diesel engine vehicle with vegetable oil. LPG is 35-40 percent cheaper than regular gasoline.
4. Give a full load when washing laundry to conserve water. Use a tumbler when brushing teeth.
5. Unplug appliances when not in use.
6. Use eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products at home.
7. Eat more vegetables. Reduce the amount of meat and poultry in your diet. Eighteen percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the consumption of meat and dairy. For more info, search for “Save the Human, Don’t Eat the Planet” Music video on youtube.
8. Go organic. If you can, grow your own herb/vegetable garden.
9. Buy Filipino and help reduce packaging waste and transportation waste.
10. REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.
What she does: “I do all of the above plus I am inviting people to do the same.”
Why you should go to the concert: “It enlists those to join in on the climate action movement. Plus it coincides with Climate Change negotiations happening in Copenhagen for developed countries to reduce their carbon emissions and for developing countries to be compensated for the effects of climate change. Plus, it’s going to be a fun TikTok Rock Concert with everyone joining in for climate action.”
Isko Cordero, musician
Why he joined the campaign: “I believe that there is an urgency to promote this advocacy!”
What he wants you to know: “Time is running out! Climate action will be effective if each and every one of us will recognize the fact that we are all responsible for the damage that has been done to our environment.”
What you can do: “Educate yourselves about the problem and help create simple, yet effective solution. For example, simply following waste management programs is a huge contribution! Recycle!”
What he does: “I am supporting the whole campaign religiously. Also, the songs that I am writing for my band, FMD, support the calls of this campaign. I have even ventured into more “serious” lyrics that focus on supporting the environment. I am encouraging that fellow artists and individuals continue this campaign even after the Copenhagen talks.”
Why you should go to the concert: “To learn more about the campaign and to encourage others to help this campaign!”
Pochoy Labog, musician
Why he joined the campaign: “Because I am a citizen of the Philippines and a citizen of the world and I want to do something about climate change.”
What he wants you to know: “It is easy and difficult at the same time. On the small scale—on the level of the individual—there are acts that ordinary citizen/person can do that can help build awareness like simply talking about it, writing about it, singing about it, making noise. But the difficult part is on the larger scale, when you talk about nations and coming up with international agreements, will the world leaders heed our call?”
What you can do: “First, there must be a change of perspective when it comes to how we treat Mother Nature—that the Earth is the only home we have and it is sacred. After that, we can all contribute by throwing garbage at the proper places, joining organizations that promote conservation and preservation of the environment—just doing the so-called little things can really go a long way.”
What he’s been doing: “By being an artist advocate for climate action, I am in a very good position to spread the word. In addition to that, I plan to plant hardwood trees in my province; I will be doing this with friends and family.”
Why you should go to the concert: “It is gonna be AWESOME!!!”
Tuesday Vargas, actress/musician
Why she joined: “I decided to join this campaign because as a mother, an artist and as a citizen, I feel that it is my moral obligation to actively participate in matters concerning the environment.”
What she’s doing: “I feel that I should be setting an example not only for my fans but more importantly for my son.”
Why people should go to the concert: “I know that this concert will not only strengthen the awareness of people about climate change but it will also be a united effort to find a solution to enforce them.”
Nityalila Saulo, singer-songwriter
Why she joined: “Paos na si Mother Earth, ako na ang kakanta.”
What she wants you to know: “Laging may oras para sa magandang pagbabago.”
What you can do: “Lakarin ang kayang lakarin. Good for the health, less carbon emissions.”
What she’s been doing: “Naglalakad and staying vegetarian.”
Why you should go to the concert: “Para lubusang maintindihan at maunawaan nating lahat ang masaklap na kaguluhan na bumabalot sa ating Inang Kalikasan.”
Buwi Meneses, musician
Why he joined: “Make a change and influence whoever I could.”
What he wants you to know: “That the environment is seriously being damaged and we can do something about it.”
What you can do: Eating less meat, segregating waste and raising awareness of good causes.
What he’s been doing: “By being aware I support the movement of this cause. I personally practice steps of taking care of my own environment.”
Why you should go to the concert: “It will be education, fun and worthwhile.”
Miko Pepito, beat poet/entertainer:
Why he joined: “To be more involved in all efforts to spread awareness regarding the issue of climate change. I know that being with other peope who are also into this will help me be more aware and at the same time provide more information and avenues to get more people in this.”
What he wants you to know: “Climate action would be easier if everybody is involved. Climate action is not a solution to the problem, but a prevention.”
What you can do: “If everyone starts to accept or realize that everybody else is affected by their actions, then they are already doing the first step.”
What he’s been doing: “Being a responsible human being.”
Why you should go to the concert: “People should go to the concert to be encouraged to take part in thie prevention. They should go to the concert to see that they are not alone in this situation.”
Joyce Makitalo, jeweler/painter
Why she joined: “Because I could only do so much by myself. When you’re with a group like Tik Tok, you inspire each other. And because of that, I believe we are able to accomplish more collectively and individually.”
What she wants you to know: “Everybody must take part in climate action because the threats of global warming are real. For us in the Philippines, global warming means typhoons and storms will be more devastating to our water and food supplies and more damaging to our lives and property. The best way to act is to help restore our forests because healthy well managed forests will prevent floods and landslides, and increase our food and water supply. In 1976, the Philippines had 50 percent of its forests. Now they are down to 5 percent. The more we destroy forests, the more carbon we release—plus, greenhouse gases are being emitted by vehicles on a daily basis.”
What you can do: “There has been great damage brought about by small careless acts, but small careful acts could eventually reverse it. Go online, find out what you can do—the simple habit of ‘unplugging after use’ can change the world. It’s easy to do our part, all it takes is to care. When you shop, look for green products. Familiarize with eco-labeling. Get involved in tree-planting and ecologically sound activities.”
What she’s been doing: “I have a project called Free the Tree—for every purchase of my jewelry, a portion goes to the Mt. Halcon reforestation project of the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. It’s like purchasing trees with the jewelry, but someone else takes care of them for you. Reforestation is one of, if not the most, important solution to global warming. It goes beyond just tree-planting—it’s planting AND maintaining forests, taking care of trees and making sure they grow to be huge, strong and healthy.”
Why you should go to the concert: “Come to the concert, be one with Tik Tok’s voice and be part of the largest mandate for action the world has ever seen!”
Steph Zubiri, model/chef
Why she joined: “Climate change is not something we can not ignore anymore. If I can help in any little way to get that message across, I’m happy. I used to study sustainable development and it is a worldwide cause that is root for many other disasters and issues. I’m a firm believer in sustainable development and combatting climate change in a worldwide cooperative manner is the key to achieving this.”
What she wants you to know: “People tend to see CC as an intangible concept that can’t affect them on a normal day to day basis, but what they don’t realize is that CC affects all aspects of economics, society and environment. It’s direct effects such as desertification, increased meteorological activity, and all other related disasters (floods etc) have a direct impact on politico-socio-economic growth and stability.”
What you can do: “Small steps can definitely go a long way. There is no need to become a hippie and live on communal farms. Consumption is good for economical growth, but sustainable consumption. Remember our choices as consumers directly affect sales and the choices of companies. Small changes make a great impact when done in bulk. Make wiser decisions: buying quality over quantity, avoiding petrol products, reducing electrical consumption.”
What she’s been doing: “I’m trying to educate people as this is what I can contribute. Everyone should find their forte and see how we can use it to help. I try to offer organic produce to my clients.”
Why you should go to the concert: “It’s to make a statement. One alone can not make a change but one with many can.”
Clem Castro, vocalist, Camerawalls
Why he joined: “The idea of collaborating with other esteemed artists for a certain cause is most appealing. I was initially introduced to the climate change campaign with the recording of “No Time To Waste” produced by Noel Cabangon. And the more I look into it, the more I seriously consider being an advocate in my own little way.”
What he wants you to know: “Although for a country like the Philippines that has a myriad of other issues and problems topped by calamity, poverty, corruption and violence; climate action will be taken for granted. But being aware of what is happening to the world and that most of the problems are brought about by people themselves is very important, that even a small country like the Philippines SHOULD make a stand. Climate action is a universal problem that needs to be convened by world leaders especially with the cooperation of rich and developed countries who contribute a large percentage of carbon emissions that causes global warming. Because if not, us Filipinos will be one to suffer the most.”
What you can do: “Awareness will make a lot of difference. Technology and Internet communications is at hand and learning more about it is of essence. It’s futile to preach and demand from everyone to cut carbon emissions if people have no in depth information of the problem. It must come from within themselves, a personal decision to contribute little things like energy conservation. This will be more encouraging if more and more people join in the campaign supported by different private and government agencies in terms of budget, mobilization and awareness.”
What he’s been doing: “Personally I vow to minimize my carbon footprint by walking more often, use public transportation whenever possible during my trips from Bulacan to Manila and conserve energy at home. I also drive a subcompact vehicle that uses less petrol. As an artist advocate, I am most willing to lead, encourage and inform the network I have built or correspond with and take part in any Tik Tok Pilipinas or Dakila/Oxfam activities related to climate action.”
Why should you go to the concert: “It’s fun and also because we need YOUR SUPPORT. and your presence is a statement of LOVE for ourselves, our country and mother earth.”
Junji Lerma, musician
Why he joined: “I decided to join to TikTok because I wanted to be a part of a global campaign for concerned artists and citizens to return to Mother Earth all that she has given. And to hopefully sustain whatever bounty is left for future generations.”
What he wants you to know: “Climate action is a call to Developed Countries to be responsible for their actions. By emitting more than 70 percent of the world’s wastes, they should be held accountable for the degeneration of the earth’s living capacity. Most especially the underprivileged ones that affect it the least and which suffer the most.”
What he’s been doing: “By being vocal about this cause, I hope as a musician, I am able to reach out to people to become aware of the impending catastrophies should the Copenhagen talks falter.”
Why you should go to the concert: “People should go to the concert first of all, cause it’s a free show! Which espouses our need to unite as a majority so we may be heard. That we are concerned and are willing even as individuals to do our part, no matter how small it may seem.”
Armi Millare, vocalist/musician (up dharma down)
Why she joined: “I have always wanted to do something like this but I never got the chance to. Or so I thought. The problem wasn’t the chance nor the time but it was me not giving it much thought and attention. I suppose it was timely that two of the biggest storms in recent history happened and that I was gravely affected by it, that made me act and become the person that I should have been a long time ago.”
What she wants you to know: “That something has to be done! That there are options. There are people and there will be victims as consequence to this man-made problem, and an inherent problem which is negligence and ignorance. I understand that it doesn’t seem so important nor does it look pressing but that’s precisely the thought process that people have kept that lead us to this point where time is almost running out and that the thing we hold dearest—our lives—are at stake. We do everything we can to protect ourselves; being humans, we respond to survival by watching our needs fit snugly. But what we don’t realize is that it would all be pointless putting all that effort to prolonging our lives when in one snap, the world could literally break and fall apart. And there’s only one world we live in. No second chance. No second life.”
What you can do: “Put themselves in the picture of a world that is trying hard to subsist. I think that the mere thought of the loss of what we have right now is enough to get people acting on their feet. We can assure them that we will be here to guide them and educate them in what they can do. All they have to do is to use the most powerful medium right now, which is the Internet. They can start merely by researching and going back to the basics. There is nothing to lose trying to find out what to do for us not to lose what we have.”
What she’s been doing: “I am the kind of person who keeps things at a minimum and that’s how it has always been. I suppose that for once, I can give my maximum into something that the entire world can benefit from no matter how ambitious it may seem. I like the world I live in and I don’t want it to go to waste.”
Why you should go to the concert: “Because people need to understand the importance of knowing what is at stake.”
Katwo Puertollano, vocalist/visual artist:
Why she joined: “Sometimes explaining the science of climate change becomes a very intimidating task, but when we use music to call action to the issue, the content becomes more engaging, hopefully enabling the younger generation to appreciate and understand the issues with genuine interest.”
What she wants you to know: “Each small action (like recycling, turning off lights when not needed, unplugging chargers when not in use, etc) helps the environment, but it is also in our collective effort to demand from our lawmakers to create and enforce laws to protect the environment that takes our actions to the next level.”
What you can do: “Our lawmakers can start banning plastic bags and demanding that manufacturers to switch to biodegradable plastic technology is a big step. Or force big businesses like malls, supermarkets, etc., to start charging for plastic bags and to launch a campaign for manufacturers to return to glass bottles (instead of plastic) for beverages would all help.”
What she’s been doing: “As a musician, I contribute my time to spreading the word about climate change through music. As a homeowner, I segregate recyclables and compost my organic trash.”
Why you should go to the concert: “You can hit two birds with one stone with attending the concert! You can have a great time with the awesome lineup of bands and it’s a great chance to know more about the issues and how we can all be more proactive with creating sustainable change.”
Gazelle Canlas, speed talker/host
Why she joined: “Because mankind is contributing to the slow destruction of earth and people tend to think that while the earth is polluted and dying, it wouldn’t happen anytime soon. Urgency, action and awareness are needed.”
What she wants you to know: “That the earth is dying as we speak.”
What you can do: “Act and help out, take the initiative and set an example to people around you.”
What she’s been doing: “By being vocal and using my God-given skills to raise people’s awareness of climate change.”
Why you should go to the concert: “They will get to see various artists share their music for a good cause. And it’s fun!”
Yael Yuzon, vocalist (Spongecola):
Why he joined: “Seriously, I decided to join because of the Mayan calendar. During a random road trip, my friends started talking about it and I got so scared I ended up thinking about it. From our conversation, I realized that the world may end at around that time, not because of some ancient prophecy, but because it makes sense given how we’re treating the one livable planet in our solar system. About a month later, Ping Medina and Buwi Meneses contacted me about Tik Tok. So there, believe it or not, it started from a doomsday theory. That’s how you handle fear!”
What he wants you to know: “The polar bears aren’t the only ones suffering. It only makes sense for us to take care of our environment since we are all living in one planet. We should also be aware that we can make a difference by being conscientious, and that talking about it can encourage others as well.”
What you can do: “Aside from promoting action on climate change, we can also do little things we learned as kids. Minimize the use of plastic bags and plant trees—then on to “grown-up” activities such as car-pooling and using fuel-efficient cars.”
What he’s been doing: “I have replaced old light bulbs with energy-saving ones.”
Why you should go to the concert: The more people go, the stronger we send the message.
Abby Asistio, host/singer-songwriter
Why she joined: “This is a great opportunity to use our talents and individual platform to create awareness for the environment and help ignite positive change.”
What she wants you to know: “Climate change is real, it is happening, and it is extremely dangerous--most especially to the poor countries like the Philippines. But we can slowly reverse it with simple yet significant efforts.”
What you can do: “Let us learn about climate change--what it is, how it came about, what the effects are, and what we can do to stop it. In our own little ways, like sticking to organic materials, consuming less gas and producing less waste, we could contribute to easing the consequences.”
What she’s been doing: “Informing people about the issue and about the different campaigns that they could participate in to raise awareness and encourage action. From simple things like Facebook and Twitter updates, to writing songs and making videos about it. And of course, living a lifestyle that contributes to lessening climate change. Acting on the issue is practical and easy! Positive change is inevitable if people cooperate and cause a chain reaction of participation.”
Why you should go to the concert: “To know what artists and existing advocates are doing to inform, raise awareness and promote climate action. Perhaps if people see how grave the issue at hand is and how simple it is to actually do something about it through individual and group efforts, like what Dakila and Oxfam is doing, then they would be empowered to act on it as well.”
