Phil. Geography on Climate Change

     In Australia the region focused on dry and wet tolerant crops. Since they are used to unpredictable rainfall patterns. Filipinos on the other hand is not used to shifting rainfall patterns. A farmer in Cagayan Valley was complaining that their corn crops was destroyed by a fungus due to unseasonal heavy rains. The same unexpected rainfall ruined the manggahan festival in Guimaras. Jared Diamond of UCLA says that the economic development is much hampered by the climate and geography of the region.

     The issue of climate change means seeing beyond the increasing concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere and fluctuating global surface temperatures. We imagine how and why these concentrations have risen and how human societies can and will cope with changes they bring. Just as importantly, we imagine who has been and will be benefiting and who has been and will be losing, and where they are.

     Climate models predict an increase in global surface temperatures that can translate to more destructive storms, extreme drought conditions, sea level rise and highly stressed ecosystems—changes in local conditions that will inevitably impact food production, infrastructures, economies and communities everywhere. We know that not all countries in the world may have mechanisms to adjust and cope with these conditions. Not all places and communities are equipped to survive in drastic changes in the immediate environments. And not all countries have contributed to all these the same way.

     This is where one realizes that all are interconnected at the local, regional and global levels. That what you do to the strand you do to the web. I hope that we all will realize the significance of our individual action to mitigate the climate change.

Battle for climate change

     President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seriously recognizing that the effects of global climate change will have an impact on Philippine society.

     In her meeting with the US President Barack Obama climate change is on the top issues to be discussed. President Arroyo are seeking funding for a $120- million dollar facility to assist the IRRI and PhilRice in accelerating the field testing of "climate ready seeds" adaptable to climate change.

     The Philippine economy is very dependent on Agriculture. According to the Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap "The climate change is greatly affecting our planting and harvesting schedule. We need seeds that don't need too much water and seeds that have short gestation periods".  The dramatic changes in rainfall patterns has produced a new set of refugees. Population displacement is next big problem of the Philippines.

   The shift in rainfall patterns and unpredictable monsoons are affecting the historically productive areas such as Central Luzon, and South Central and Eastern Mindanao in to marginal environments. Food security of the nation will be pressured.

    Environment is the 3rd E in the synopsis of  achievements of the current administration, the first E stand of economics. Today's trend on climate change is "adaptation" but the present administration focuses on mitigation. Either we choose to address climate change, one this is for sure it will surely hit us. Or it might be hitting us already.

Climate Change Efforts of the Arroyo Administration

In the edge of her presidency, President Arroyo is hoping the next leadership would continue her efforts on climate change. The current administration hopes the incoming government would also rally behind the 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gases, assistance on climate programs, and more concrete incentives for financial and technology transfer to developing countries like the Philippines.

Today President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo will be meeting with the US President  Barack Obama. climate change is on top of the issues to be discussed being the  first president to be invited in the white house she would be speaking on behalf of the region on its efforts to combat climate change.