MASONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS

It is certain that climate change has been caused by human activity. This is the main premise of the recently released 5^th Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change.

And the adverse effect of climate change is here to stay and disrupt our way of lives forever. This has been manifested by heat waves, glacial melt, creeping desertification, rising sea levels, and intensifying extreme weather events around the world.

The real and present danger of climate change has spurred countries in forging an international treaty to enable the world to cope with its impacts [adaptation] and cut down greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the global temperature [mitigation].

The urgency of the issue is reflected by the continuing efforts of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines' to include climate change as a key area of engagement.

Perhaps it would interest the brethren to know that in fact, a small group of Masons and their relations are leading the Philippine delegation in negotiating an international agreement in the arena of climate change adaptation.

Usec. Segfredo “Kuya Fred” Serrano of the Department of Agriculture, a Past Master of Makiling Lodge No. 72, is the lead negotiator of what is known today as Team Adaptation of the Philippines.

And since the 16^th Conference of Parties in Cancun, the author and Dir. Alicia “Ate Alice” Ilaga whose husband is a Kuya based in Canada has been assisting Kuya Fred in negotiating one text after in the war for adaptation.

Ate Dinah Umengan whose husband is a member of the Rafael Palma Lodge No. 147 also helps Team Adaptation from time to time, as well as Bangkok-based Dinah Fuestina whose father and brothers are Kuyangs too.

Outside the negotiations, Kuya Milo Tanchuling and Kuya Eman both of Rafael Palma Lodge ramp up the pressure for developed countries to deliver their commitment in supporting developing countries like the Philippines adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.  Malou Tabios whose father is a kuya is also on hand from time to time.     

In the negotiations for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, Dr. Rowena Boquiren whose father is a kuya is also actively engaged.

And many eyebrows were raised on hearing Kuya Fred address his underlings as “Kuya” and “Ate” when they are in fact younger than him and considering that he is the boss of the team.

Team Adaptation has been doing well in the negotiations and recognized by other parties as a solid team that delivers.

And this can be attributed by the strings of Masonry that not only bound them tightly as a family more than just a team.

In 2015 in Paris, a new international treaty on climate change is expected to be agreed upon by the world.

Should that day come, it would be a good feeling to think that the Craft has contributed in making the world a safer place through a small family of Masons.

First published in the July-September issue of "The Craftsman".