Manila (AsiaNews) – Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales of Manila urged the government and the faithful to tackle the moral dimension of climate change. In a statement he said it was high time for the country to take action on the growing environmental challenge to advance the common good.

Stressing the need to use the country’s abundant natural resources without doing irreversible harm, he said that “we are in a position to do our part in addressing climate change.”

“We need to inculcate energy efficiency and energy conservation measures in our daily lives as well as in our workplaces and communities,” he explained.

In his view, this must include using less electricity and gasoline, planting trees, collecting garbage selectively and turning away from a highly consumerist and wasteful lifestyle.

The prelate added that the government should take serious steps to address the extent and impact of climate change.

Whilst scientists have been warning about the consequences of global warming for a long time, local environmentalists noted that the issue was not given as much attention in this country.

“On the national level, let us call on the government to encourage and prioritize the use of renewable sources of energy with which the Philippines is abundantly blessed,” Rosales said.

“The warming of our planet is not a natural occurrence; it is mostly a man-made situation. Unless we reform our ways, there will be no miracles for us in the future,” he added.