Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
BACK in September, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said: "There can be no climate justice under Marcos ... we stand in solidarity with the martial law victims seeking justice and the human rights defenders pursuing the democratic rights of people and climate justice." Greta referred to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr as a "fascist leader." This video message was played at the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law at the University of the Philippines. While this statement was on brand with climate activists' plea for protection of human rights, it dilutes the message and strategies of addressing climate change.
Greta appeared on video with another European climate activist named Alde Nilsson and a Filipino, Mitzi Tan. Together they said things like, "the fight for climate justice is a fight for democracy." While I don't disagree with that, I find it convoluted. First, in any environmental management matrix, the fight for climate justice begins with the recognition that groups are affected by climate change differently regardless of the form of government. Second, the Philippines is a democracy, recognized as a sovereign nation by the UN and all other countries, and praised for having a peaceful and legitimate elections by no less than the EU last May. Third, fascism is a harsh allegation which these young activists are throwing at Marcos with no proof or reference. He has only been president for a little over 100 days.
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