No doubt, the duty of Philippine courts is to give force and effect to the prohibitions, regulations and obligations found in multilateral environmental agreements, whether or not they have been transposed into local laws. 114 This is even more relevant in the light of increasing environmental challenges that are transboundary in nature such as climate change; and where domestic laws are traditionally limited to regulating and addressing problems within national boundaries such as in the Philippines. Therefore, the Petitioners appeal for the Honourable Commission’s wise, novel and courageous investigation to hold accountable the big, powerful, multinational Carbon Majors for the human rights implications of climate change and ocean acidification. Conclusion In summary, what we, the Petitioners, are saying, is that the production of fossil fuels by the Carbon Majors has been found to be primarily responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gases. The concentration of said gases, especially carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causes climate change. An estimated 25-30% of the carbon dioxide already emitted by these activities has been absorbed by the oceans, causing ocean acidification. The adverse impacts of climate change and ocean acidification brought harm or pose the threat of harm to people, on top of or in addition to damage resulting from natural disasters. These harms resulting from the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification affect the exercise and enjoyment of Filipinos’ human rights to (a) to life; (b) to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; (c) to adequate food; (d) to water (e) to sanitation; (f) to adequate housing; (g) to self-determination; and (h) the human rights of marginalized and disadvantaged groups particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including (1) women; (2) children; (3) persons with disabilities; (4) those living in extreme poverty; (5) indigenous peoples; (6) displaced persons; and, (7) workers; as well as the right of Filipinos to development. Whether or not the Respondent Carbon Majors should be held accountable for the human rights implications of climate change and ocean acidification is what we ask the Honourable Commission. Why do we ask?                                                                                                                         114 In a public lecture on environmental law and protection at the Graduate School of the University of Sto. Tomas, Manila, Nov. 20, 2010.             29