By Paulo Loreto Lim

International non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace recently recognized the province of Guimaras for being 100 percent coal-free and offered the locale the Seal of Climate Leadership over the weekend.

“The people of Guimaras have embraced renewables over dirty, polluting energy,” said Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin. “We want to show that a sustainable development path, powered by renewable energy, is not only possible, but more viable.”

Local residents have previously been outspoken in their opposition to coal and promoted the use of wind power, particularly with the Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation establishing a wind farm a few years ago in the town of San Lorenzo.

“Our people here in San Lorenzo know the benefits of harnessing the blessings of nature to power our development,” said San Lorenzo Mayor Ninfa Gajo.

According to their website, Greenpeace is committed to promoting renewable energy in order to combat climate change.

“Greenpeace is driving the urgent shift to the future we all want: 100 percent renewable energy from the sun, wind, water, and earth,” the group stipulated in their ‘Stop Climate Change’ campaign. “Today’s children will be the first to live in a world totally powered by these clean, safe and secure energy sources.”/PLL, WDJ