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Cebu - With the advent of climate change and disaster risks, many sectors in the country today are slowly adopting ‘green’ projects to make a climate and disaster-resilient nation.

During the 1st NCR Cooperative Sector Conference on climate change, Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the senate committee on climate change urged the cooperative sector to focus on ‘green’ technologies and enterprises.

Cooperativism must be translated into a nationwide crusade that make use of recycles and natural materials that promote the creation of products and designs that various cooperative communities and livelihood groups can advocate and develop.

Legarda encouraged cooperatives to advocate green living, fair trade, and care for the environment. One of the principles of cooperativism — the concern for community — is geared towards the achievement of sustainable development, which is essential in climate change adaptation, she added.

The cooperatives sector according to Legarda has the capacity to improve current activities that promote sustainable development and unite and mobilize collective efforts in confronting climate change challenges.

The coop sector can create partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct livelihood programs that promote green skills such as newspaper bag weaving, creating slippers and bags from water lilies, and making accessories such as bracelets and rosaries from old magazine strips.

It can also forge a partnership with the Small Business Guarantee Corporation (SBGC) that can provide loans to help micro, small and medium enterprises with green projects.

Legarda said, it is the task of every citizen to be involved in efforts to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change.

Furthermore, the cooperative sector has the capacity to be key participants in meeting the challenge of this global phenomenon. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from the Office of Senator Legarda)