Thread by @cmuffett1

Today, more than 6.5 years after launching its landmark inquiry into the role of #CarbonMajors companies in climate-related human rights violations in the Philippines, @CHRPhilippines released its final report. bit.ly/3MRB7lW. First thread:

The petition was filed by @GreenpeaceSEA on behalf affected Filipino citizens. Key findings and quotes from petitioners are here. bit.ly/3MPS8gi In this thread, I will walk through key findings and messages from the report. There are many.

In the course of the nearly 7 year inquiry, @CHRPhilippines conducted fact finding missions across the country; held 12 hearings on 3 continents; heard from 65 witnesses and dozens of experts; and compiled the most extensive body of testimony and documentary evidence anywhere.

You can find that evidence here: chr.gov.ph/nicc-2/ and here: chr-observatories.uwazi.io/page/e4igfcf46…

@CHRPhilippines rejects #CarbonMajors argument it lacks jurisdiction. “Stripped of legal niceties, the contention was that our Commission, or, indeed the Philippine State…may only inquire into the conduct of corporate entities operating within Philippine territory,

even if the corporations’ operations outside our territory were negatively impacting the rights and lives of our people.
We cannot accept such a proposition.” (4)

It is unequivocal that climate change is caused by human activity. (31) Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are higher than at any time in the last two million years. “These increases in GHG concentrations are unequivocally caused by human activities since around 1750.” (32)

The warming of the atmosphere and oceans, ocean acidification, cryosphere loss, sea level rise, and increase in the frequency, intensity, extent, and duration of extreme weather events “can all be traced back to the influence of human activities on the climate.” (32)

“Climate change impacts, including the degradation of the environment; deprivation of resources; prevalence of life-threatening diseases; widespread hunger and malnutrition; and extreme poverty, among others, prevent and individual from living a dignified life.” (33)

“The effects of extreme weather events attributed to climate change dehumanizes the human person. The combination of loss of lives, deprivation of basic needs, material loss, emotional trauma and hopelessness that these survivors experience strip them of their dignities.” (34)

The Philippines is the fifth most climate change affected country in the Global Climate Risk Index, yet accounts for only 0.3 percent of global emissions. “It is evident that the burden of climate change falls disproportionately on the Filipino people.” (35)

A study prepared for @TheCVF found climate change responsible for an estimate 400,000 deaths per year due to the direct effects of extreme weather events, flooding, heat waves, disease, and water and food insecurity.” (36)

Increases in “malnutrition, malaria, dengue, diarrhrea, and heat stress” will cause an addition 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. (36)

Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 resulted in 6,300 dead, nearly 29,000 injured, and nearly 1,100 missing. (37) As witness and survivor Emilio Onate recounted: “one moment people were reaching above the water, fighting for their lives, and the next moment, they were gone.” (37)

Grief of losing loved ones is compounded because “their bodies remain missing up to this day.” (Test. Amalia Bahia, Washi Survivor, 37) “My two younger siblings and I waited for our parents and older brother but they never came….” (Test. Honeylyn Gonzales, Washi Survivor, 38)

@CHRPhilippines “These are just three of the thousands of similar stories spanning decades of extreme weather events. Filipinos carry the brunt of anthropogenic climate change by paying with their lives.” (38)

"Climate change also causes the collapse of all determinants of human health ‘such as food and nutrition, housing, access to safe and potable water, and adequate sanitation, safe and healthy working conditions, and a healthy environment.’” (40)

Effects on mental health are profound and widespread: “…We couldn’t also bear the thought of eating fish that may have fed on the dead bodies of our dead neighbors and the people we know.” (Test. of Marinel Ubaldo, Haiyan survivor, 42)

Climate change increases food insecurity. Experts confirmed dwindling fish catch and reduction in agricultural produce due to climate change. Rice production declines by 10% for every 1C increase in night temperatures. Fruits and vegetables also have yield reductions. (43)

“These result in food supply challenges, higher food prices, higher malnutrition and food insecurity.” (44)

Next thread soon.