Lifestyle switch needed to help preserve environment says bishop

Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo has called on the faithful to switch to a simpler lifestyle to help protect and preserve the environment.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo (Manila Bulletin file photo)

A change in lifestyle, the bishop said, may help amid the continuous destruction of the environment and the problems posed by climate change.

The country observes the month of June as Philippine Environment Month. The World Environment Day will be marked on June 5, Monday.

“We all need to do our share in environmental protection. Our environment is in dire need of protection. Let us change our lifestyle to help preserve our environment,” said Bishop Pabillo, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Stewardship, over Radio Veritas.

“Being responsible stewards of the environment is not a difficult task if we take it to heart. We all need to preserve the world we live in also for the future generation,” the Church leader added.

The prelate said a simpler lifestyle may be reflected in the food we eat, in limiting the use of plastic bags, and by encouraging others to do their share in protecting the environment. The little contribution that we will make will yield good results for the protection of the environment, the bishop stressed.

As early as 1974, the United Nations urged countries to increase public awareness of environmental protection and preservation by declaring June 5 as World Environment Day.

In the country, the late President Corazon Aquino declared the month of June as Philippine Environment Month on April 4, 1988, to highlight the need for environmental care and protection.

— Christina Hermoso