as to the full extent of the damage and devastation as information trickles in in an agonizingly

slow manner because power lines and communication lines are cut off and may take a while before

they are restored. The initial assessment shows that Haiyan left a wake of massive destruction

that is unprecedented, unthinkable and horrific. And the devastation is staggering. I struggle

to find words even for the images that we see on the news coverage and I struggle to

find words to describe how I feel about the losses. Up to this hour, I agonize, waiting

for word for the fate of my very own relatives. What gives me renewed strength and great relief

is that my own brother has communicated to us and he has survived the onslaught. I speak

for my delegation, but I speak for the countless people who will no longer be able to speak

for themselves after perishing from the storm. I speak also for those who have been orphaned

by the storm. I speak for those people now racing against time to save survivors and

alleviate the suffering of the people affected. We can take drastic action now to ensure that

we prevent a future where super typhoons become a way of life. Can we ever attain the ultimate

objective of the convention - which is to prevent dangerous and tropogenic interference

with a climate system. By failing to meet the objective of the convention, we may have

ratified our own doom. We have to confront the issue of loss and damage. Loss and damage

is a reality today across the world. We cannot solve climate change when we seek to spew

more emissions. In solidarity with my countrymen who are struggling to find food back home,

and with my brother who has not had food for the last three days, with all due respect,

Mr. President - and I mean no disrespect for your kind hospitality - I will now commence

a voluntary fasting for the climate. This means I will voluntarily refrain from eating

food during this cop until a meaning outcome is in sight. Until concrete pledges have been

made to ensure mobilization of resources for the green climate fund. We cannot afford cop

with an empty GCF. Until the promise of an operalization of a loss and damage mechanism

has been fulfilled. Until there is a assurance and financial adaptation. Until we see real

ambition on climate action in accordance with the principles we have so upheld. Mr. President,

this process has been called a farce. It has been called an annual carbon intensive gathering

of useless frequent fliers. It has also been called saving tomorrow today. We can fix this.

We can stop

this madness. (Applause) Thank you Philippines for your great speech. It’s always hard

to attribute a single weather event to climate change, but we know that science is also clear

that climate change will mean more intense typhoons, potentially. Even if we cannot attribute

Haiyan to climate change directly, my country refuses to accept a future where super typhoons

will become a regular fixture.