...no to coal..., a photo from Manila, NCR

Photographer's Note

Protesters in front of our office opposing a coal plant in Calaca, Batangas. While the operation of the coal plant is under the watch of the Department of Energy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ensures that there are no environmental regulations are violated in the course of its operation. Yeah, sounds lame for some, but it's true. The DENR thru the Environmental Management Bureau do baseline characterization of the area and determine if there was a "negative externality" produced or effected to the environment by its operation (sounds too good eh?..well, that's one face of this "regulation" thing).

And, related to this opposition to coal plants...climate change. Yes, climate change is a highly pressing environmental issue/problem...and highly political too. And while the Philippines committed 70% (the highest per my conversation with my boss Usec. Met) in the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the Philippines is less than 1/3 of 1% to the total carbon emission. Question is, "why did we commit 70%, Lord oh Lord?!" Are the "international political lobby groups" representing big multinational companies so strong that they can buy governments? Why do industrialized countries cannot reduce a much larger chunk of its contribution instead of offsetting it by financing forestation projects thru carbon trading in developing countries? We do our part in the mitigation even if our emission contribution is highly insignificant to the overall carbon emission...BUT, We need more funds for adaptation as developing countries are most vulnerable to the ill effects of climate change. I've seen this so many times... "if you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money"....

PS: The protesters that picketed in front of our office were actually members of a left-leaning group...

pajaran, ikeharel, delpeoples, fotka, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115751) 2016-07-24 23:32

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, kompozicija, perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak.
Lepo uhvacen trenutak sa demonstrantima.
Imajte lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela, srecno.
Paja.

Good day.
Beautiful view and the moment, interesting and good text ...
Good work, composition, perspective and contrast, nice colors, nice place and a moment shown.
Beautifully captured the moment with the demonstrators.
Have a nice and successful day, all the best for the new week, which began, good luck.
Paja.

emka (158004) 2016-07-24 23:40

Hello Mics,

I do not understand exactly the case here, it is an interesting composition. The problem of coal is important also in Poland. We have many coal mines that give no profit./ But what about the miners? They do not want to loose their job.

Warm regrads Malgo

Nicou (193806) 2016-07-25 3:13

Hlelo

quelle vue et sc鋝e superbe compo et iamge quel personnages qui portent leur pancartes avec les messages splendide compo.
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

lousat (139164) 2016-07-25 15:51

Hi Mics,interesting post showing us something of different and talking about a very serious problem like the pollution made by the carbon centrals. I'm with these boys,but i know too that it's difficult to made a war versus the big interests of the lobbies and politicians....my best compliments for this nice idea for the today pic! Have a nice day,Luciano

willperrett (14215) 2016-07-27 10:49

Hello Michelle

I didn't have you down as a documentary photographer, but this is a strong example of the genre. Not a very big demonstration it seems, however... Have you heard what the Australians are doing with a new huge coal mine in FNQ that is going to wreck the Great Barrier Reef for many miles?? I'm voting Green! (And I voted Remain, if you've heard much about "Brexit")

Regards

Will

batalay (41261) 2016-08-08 15:51

Hello Michelle,

Photos of social protest are always eye-catching, but an informative note has to explain the context... and yours does! Thank you for this piece of photojournalism from the Manilla.

Warm regards,

Bulent

delpeoples (60342) 2016-08-15 2:45

Dear Mics

An excellent reportage shot on what is basically happening all around the world: politicians are being bought out by Big Business and ignoring their obligations towards the people who voted them in the first place. Impressive commentary and reportage shot.

Thanks for sharing
Lisa

fotka (8973) 2016-08-24 5:42

Hi Mics,
Great photo of daily life. Protest are always eye-catching moment for photographer. Well done composition, colors, light and sharpness.
Kind regards,
Zbigniew

mcmtanyel (68369) 2017-02-26 20:04

Hello Mics,
I do not understand these most recent environmental regulations and "carbon trading" procedures. I like the strong colors in your frame. I see that the protestors are holding signs in a different language from English while the signs at the entrance to your office are in English. What is the official language of the Philippines?
Regards,
MT