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The climate-vulnerable Philippines was among many countries that voted in favor of making countries legally responsible for addressing climate change, while the world’s biggest climate donor, the United States, unsurprisingly voted against it.
I won’t blame you if the Cayetanos, Legadas, and Batos of this world distract you from the important climate news that happened last week: the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on May 20 voted 141-8 to to pass a resolution to support 2025 world court opinion which said countries have a legal obligation to address climate change.
The climate-vulnerable Philippines was among the majority of countries that voted in favor, while the world’s historic largest donor, the United States, unsurprisingly, voted against. The resolution was co-sponsored by Vanuatu and 12 other countries, including the Philippines.
What does this mean? In Instagram In a post, the United Nations wrote: “Through this #UNGA resolution, countries reaffirm that addressing the climate crisis is a legal obligation under international law, not just a political choice.”
With consecutive victories at the World Court and the UNGA, the Philippines “must now prove that it can ‘speak up,'” he said when the Aksyon Klima Pilipinas union joined other civil society organizations in calling on “the world’s biggest corporations and wealthiest polluters” to pay for climate damage.
Learn more about the historic opinion of the International Court of Justice from Rappler’s report in 2025:
Aside from the UNGA resolution, it would be remiss of me not to highlight some of the amazing work our group has produced recently, starting with this fascinating series on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Iya:
Then there’s this video explainer by Rappler’s Shay Du and Leah Sagaad on our outdated power grid and what it means for us consumers (Watch out for the third video, coming soon!):
Help us continue these deep concerns in the most important environmental and domestic issues by being a part of Rappler+. Hopefully, you won’t be disappointed again when the next weather win comes around, whenever.
See you next Tuesday!
Here are some stories you shouldn’t miss:
– Rappler.com
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