Filipina Tells Obama, APEC CEOs: ‘Climate Change is Like Cancer — and the World is at Stage 2’

Climate change is like cancer and the world is at Stage 2, young Filipina entrepreneur Aisa Mijeno told United States President Barack Obama and participants in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit 2015 here Wednesday.

“Climate change is real and not a myth created by scientists to get funding. It is like cancer,” Mijeno said, citing the four stages of the disease — cell mutation, symptoms, manifest effects, and decline.

“I believe we are at Stage 2,” said the founder of SALt Lamps, which manufactures ocean water-powered lamps for island communities that are not connected to major power grids.

“Believe me, you don’t want to go to Stage 4,” interjected President Obama, who played host to tech giant Alibaba CEO Jack Ma and Mijeno.

At the start of his session, Obama made a pitch for renewable energy, noting how big US businesses like Apple, Google, and Costco are saving billions of dollars by tapping into solar and other renewable energy sources.

Obama said climate change could be viewed as a business opportunity.

The US President is one of 20 economic leaders from the Pacific Rim attending the APEC Summit that is being hosted by the Philippines. (PCOO APEC Communications Team)