ZAMBOANGA CITY Philippines, – People living in low-lying and coastal areas should begin moving out now in anticipation of the likely impact of climate change, an official warned alluding to the projected rise in sea levels once polar ice melts as a result of higher atmospheric temperatures due to the phenomenon called global warming.
Presidential Assistant on Climate Change Elisea Gozun said a rise in sea waters and other disasters will endanger people living in these areas.
Gozun urged local government units and other agencies to undertake the necessary steps to safeguard the lives of coastal dwellers.
Gozun stressed that the effects of the climate change are gradually being felt, adding the forecasts have warned that low-lying areas in the country are really at high risk.
“Those leaving along the coastlines, depending on where they are and how near the sea they are and for those actually living on the sea itself and are staying in below sea level areas or already right now residing in areas that get inundated, the only way you can safeguard yourselves is really to move out down the line,” she advised.
She said one way to reduce the impact of climate change is through such measures as planting more mangroves as these can serve as natural barriers to storm surge and rising sea level.
“We should not wait for the disasters to happen. We do not want to have climate refugees later on. Let’s plan for this because we know it is likely to happen,” she stressed.
She said the number one objective of the national government is to develop a more climate resilient Philippines, as the impacts of climate change are reportedly already having major adverse impacts on the country.
“The priority action for us is really to adapt to this so we can be resilient so that our economic growth will continue and we can alleviate poverty in the country,”
"The Philippines is very at risk for climate change" The government should make a strong commitment to make the Philippines resilient to climate change"
Via Reuters
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Green & Clean Philippines
by Clarence Tuvera
Eleuterio C. Galvante, Program Director for Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund of the DOTC happily announced that the Philippines is well on its way to enjoying a cleaner, healthier air.
Galvante cited the recent favorable Environment Performance Index (EPI) rating of 71.7 points given by Yale University to the Philippines, proof that the country’s efforts to control its air pollution, including its other environment pollution issues, is finally paying off.
An EPI rating tracks a country’s performance indicator across 10 policy concerns that fall under two main categories: environmental public health and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale to measure how close a country is to achieving its environmental policy goals.
In measuring our Ecosystem Vitality, for instance, the following seven policy concerns are closely monitored: (1) Climate Change, which closely monitor efforts at curbing CO2 emissions which largely contributes to greenhouse effect, (2) Agriculture, which monitors the implementation of pesticide regulation and the purity level of agricultural water, (3) Fishery, which monitors the health of marine trophic index and trawling intensity, (4) Forestry, (5) Biodiversity, which focuses on the protection of Biome and Marine Habitats, and a close monitoring and management of identified critical habitats, (6) Water, which focuses on the monitoring of its health, availability and its effects on the ecosystem, and finally (7) Air.
The proper management of these seven critical policy categories contribute to a country’s performance in its overall Environment Public Health which tracks three concerns: (1) Water, which measures sanitation level and the public’s access to clean water, (2) Air Pollution, which measures the levels of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, and (3) Environmental Burden of Disease.
An EPI point of 71.1 indicates that the Philippines is finally managing the vitality of its ecosystem to reduce factors that endangers the public’s health. It placed the country at the 50th place alongside Australia, and just behind Malaysia and Singapore among the 163 countries that were surveyed.
The fight for clean air
Director Galvante underscored the continuing efforts of government to further lower the incidence of emission generated suspended particulates (floating pollutants) in the air. These are pollutants produced from fuel fumes, or emissions from cars that use petroleum products.
"The Philippines is still on a long way to clean its environmnet but it is already moving. Climate change would be become easier to address if we keep on moving for environmnetal protection and conservation"
Via Reuter
Eleuterio C. Galvante, Program Director for Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund of the DOTC happily announced that the Philippines is well on its way to enjoying a cleaner, healthier air.
Galvante cited the recent favorable Environment Performance Index (EPI) rating of 71.7 points given by Yale University to the Philippines, proof that the country’s efforts to control its air pollution, including its other environment pollution issues, is finally paying off.
An EPI rating tracks a country’s performance indicator across 10 policy concerns that fall under two main categories: environmental public health and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale to measure how close a country is to achieving its environmental policy goals.
In measuring our Ecosystem Vitality, for instance, the following seven policy concerns are closely monitored: (1) Climate Change, which closely monitor efforts at curbing CO2 emissions which largely contributes to greenhouse effect, (2) Agriculture, which monitors the implementation of pesticide regulation and the purity level of agricultural water, (3) Fishery, which monitors the health of marine trophic index and trawling intensity, (4) Forestry, (5) Biodiversity, which focuses on the protection of Biome and Marine Habitats, and a close monitoring and management of identified critical habitats, (6) Water, which focuses on the monitoring of its health, availability and its effects on the ecosystem, and finally (7) Air.
The proper management of these seven critical policy categories contribute to a country’s performance in its overall Environment Public Health which tracks three concerns: (1) Water, which measures sanitation level and the public’s access to clean water, (2) Air Pollution, which measures the levels of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, and (3) Environmental Burden of Disease.
An EPI point of 71.1 indicates that the Philippines is finally managing the vitality of its ecosystem to reduce factors that endangers the public’s health. It placed the country at the 50th place alongside Australia, and just behind Malaysia and Singapore among the 163 countries that were surveyed.
The fight for clean air
Director Galvante underscored the continuing efforts of government to further lower the incidence of emission generated suspended particulates (floating pollutants) in the air. These are pollutants produced from fuel fumes, or emissions from cars that use petroleum products.
"The Philippines is still on a long way to clean its environmnet but it is already moving. Climate change would be become easier to address if we keep on moving for environmnetal protection and conservation"
Via Reuter
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
'Laughing' cicada among new species found in Philippines
One of the new species — a barnacle — that has been discovered in Philippines —
A shark whose markings make it appear camouflaged for the desert and "laughing" cicadas are among 300 new species discovered by scientists in the Philippines. This shows the vast biodiversity of the Southeast Asian archipelago that is now under severe threat.
The six-week expedition of 35 US and Filipino experts led by California Academy of Sciences discovered 200 new marine invertebrates, 11 new fish, and at least 40 new spiders.
John McCosker said the team discovered several small catsharks with brown backs, dark stripes and white bellies, colours which he had never seen on any other shark before.
Dr Terry Gosliner said the Philippines' complex geological history made it a goldmine of new life forms."This is the place where the action is. The Philippines has more diversity on land and sea than any other place on earth."
Most of the marine exploration was focused on the Verde Island Passage, a deep-water channel separating the island of Luzon from Mindoro for at least 60 million years.
"If the Philippines is the centre of marine biodiversity, this area is the centre of the centre. It's been very stable for so long that marine life has really flourished," said Goslinger.
The hunt for new species on land was focused on four relatively unexplored mountains on the southern island of Luzon, which face threats from climate change, deforestation and poaching.
Among the other discoveries, the entomologist Ireneo Lit said his team had found a cicada that made a sound like high-pitched laughter.
"The local residents were afraid of them. They thought the laughter was from dwarves, laughing dwarves," he told AFP of the insect found on 2,158-metre Mount Banahaw, a volcano on Luzon.
However, the expedition was concerned by the state of deeper waters.
"There were a lot fewer fishes than I would have expected and a lot more plastic," said Goslinger. "We used nets dragging from our trawler to explore areas deeper than 80 metres and each of our 40 trawls brought up lots of plastic in their nets – in some cases more plastic than life. The ocean is being over fished and clearly used as a garbage dump."
"The Philippine is then so rich of undiscovered natural resources.. but some before they are even discovered are already has gone extinct.... We must work together to stop the increasing pressure on the Philippine natural resources.. strong political will must excerted. With the increasing pressure on climate change.. these species might not be able to adapt to the changing climate which makes them very vulnerable to climate change."
A shark whose markings make it appear camouflaged for the desert and "laughing" cicadas are among 300 new species discovered by scientists in the Philippines. This shows the vast biodiversity of the Southeast Asian archipelago that is now under severe threat.
The six-week expedition of 35 US and Filipino experts led by California Academy of Sciences discovered 200 new marine invertebrates, 11 new fish, and at least 40 new spiders.
John McCosker said the team discovered several small catsharks with brown backs, dark stripes and white bellies, colours which he had never seen on any other shark before.
Dr Terry Gosliner said the Philippines' complex geological history made it a goldmine of new life forms."This is the place where the action is. The Philippines has more diversity on land and sea than any other place on earth."
Most of the marine exploration was focused on the Verde Island Passage, a deep-water channel separating the island of Luzon from Mindoro for at least 60 million years.
"If the Philippines is the centre of marine biodiversity, this area is the centre of the centre. It's been very stable for so long that marine life has really flourished," said Goslinger.
The hunt for new species on land was focused on four relatively unexplored mountains on the southern island of Luzon, which face threats from climate change, deforestation and poaching.
Among the other discoveries, the entomologist Ireneo Lit said his team had found a cicada that made a sound like high-pitched laughter.
"The local residents were afraid of them. They thought the laughter was from dwarves, laughing dwarves," he told AFP of the insect found on 2,158-metre Mount Banahaw, a volcano on Luzon.
However, the expedition was concerned by the state of deeper waters.
"There were a lot fewer fishes than I would have expected and a lot more plastic," said Goslinger. "We used nets dragging from our trawler to explore areas deeper than 80 metres and each of our 40 trawls brought up lots of plastic in their nets – in some cases more plastic than life. The ocean is being over fished and clearly used as a garbage dump."
"The Philippine is then so rich of undiscovered natural resources.. but some before they are even discovered are already has gone extinct.... We must work together to stop the increasing pressure on the Philippine natural resources.. strong political will must excerted. With the increasing pressure on climate change.. these species might not be able to adapt to the changing climate which makes them very vulnerable to climate change."
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Climate Change in the Basic Education in Albay, Philippines
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines - In the province of Albay, students will be welcoming the new school year 2011-2012 learning about climate change.
Albay, Philippines
The concept of a warm planet may be a difficult thing to grasp for both young and adult learners. But local officials in the province assured that they have simplified the ideas with the help of teachers and scientists. They have then developed and included these ideas in the regular curricula of students in both elementary and high schools. The incorporation of climate change in the curricula in the province of Albay was already approved by the education department.
Terrel said this is in line with the Albay provincial government's climate change adaptation plan.
Albay is the only province in the Philippines that integrated climate change in school lessons.
Located some 500 kilometers southeast of Manila, the country's capital, Albay's geographical position made it a magnet to various disasters. The province sits at the typhoon belt and of the 20 typhoons that hit the country every year, five typhoons hit Albay directly. It faces the Pacific Ocean, making its coastal communities vulnerable tsunami. Albay is also home to Mayon Volcano, an active volcano that erupted 49 times in the past four centuries.
Climate change which is expected to worsen disaster impacts to this province. Local officials, private sector and residents, however, refused to remain victims of calamities and are preparing for the inevitability of a warmer planet.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda has set up the Center for Initiative and Research Center for Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) an agency that develops and implements adaptation projects which include mangrove planting, cleaning up of rivers and canals and organic farming.
Teachers in Albay are well prepared on this new curricula.
"We will also encourage students to be more involved in their community. For example, if the teacher lectured them on the effects of illegal logging, students must also participate in tree planting projects," she said.
"Albay sets a very good example to the entire Philippines I hope all provinces will also take initiatives to adap the changing climate. Strong political will is very necessary in every underataking of the province. I salute Governor Salceda for preparing its people to combat calamities that would come."
Via reuter
The concept of a warm planet may be a difficult thing to grasp for both young and adult learners. But local officials in the province assured that they have simplified the ideas with the help of teachers and scientists. They have then developed and included these ideas in the regular curricula of students in both elementary and high schools. The incorporation of climate change in the curricula in the province of Albay was already approved by the education department.
Terrel said this is in line with the Albay provincial government's climate change adaptation plan.
Albay is the only province in the Philippines that integrated climate change in school lessons.
Located some 500 kilometers southeast of Manila, the country's capital, Albay's geographical position made it a magnet to various disasters. The province sits at the typhoon belt and of the 20 typhoons that hit the country every year, five typhoons hit Albay directly. It faces the Pacific Ocean, making its coastal communities vulnerable tsunami. Albay is also home to Mayon Volcano, an active volcano that erupted 49 times in the past four centuries.
Climate change which is expected to worsen disaster impacts to this province. Local officials, private sector and residents, however, refused to remain victims of calamities and are preparing for the inevitability of a warmer planet.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda has set up the Center for Initiative and Research Center for Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) an agency that develops and implements adaptation projects which include mangrove planting, cleaning up of rivers and canals and organic farming.
Teachers in Albay are well prepared on this new curricula.
"We will also encourage students to be more involved in their community. For example, if the teacher lectured them on the effects of illegal logging, students must also participate in tree planting projects," she said.
"Albay sets a very good example to the entire Philippines I hope all provinces will also take initiatives to adap the changing climate. Strong political will is very necessary in every underataking of the province. I salute Governor Salceda for preparing its people to combat calamities that would come."
Via reuter
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Integrated River Basin Management in Mindanao for Climate Change Adapation
DAVAO CITY, Philippines - With the rising threats of climate change, drought and other environmental risks, key river basin stakeholders in Mindanao are pushing for an integrated effort to protect and sustain the island’s fertile river basins and watersheds.
Mindanao River Basin: Vulnerable to Climate Change
The Mindanao Development Authority, key government agencies responsible for the management of Mindanao river basins are strongly pushing for a Mindanao-wide River Basin Development Roadmap that will guide towards a coordinated and sustainable river basin rehabilitation and management in Mindanao.
“Our water resources have been at risk and therefore a collaborative effort among all stakeholders is needed to protect and conserve our headwaters,” said Luwalhati Antonino.
Mindanao has eight major river basins - the Agus river basin, Cagayan de Oro river basin, Tagoloan river basin, Agusan river basin, Mindanao river basin (Cotabato), Tagum-Libuganon river basin, Davao river basin and Buayan-Malungan river basin.
Mindanao River Basin
According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework, the region is endowed with rich ecosystems and dominated by fertile river basins and watersheds but these have been threatened by heavy reliance on extractive industries such as logging, fisheries and mining.
Mindanao 2020 said that watershed degradation in Mindanao has been largely due to heavy siltation, water pollution, unsustainable farming practices, and destruction of fish breeding grounds.
If not addressed, it will give rise to food security threats and hamper economic development. Mindanao’s total forest cover has also been rapidly denuded from 70% in 1900s to 23% in 1988 and down to six percent as of last year.
The island’s agri-based economy is also vulnerable to risks in rainfall change, El Niño and projected temperature increase brought abut by changes in climate.
"Sustainable development of Mindanao's river basin is very important to achieve security for its people. Climate change is already here, all we can do is to adapt to the changes"
Via Reuter
The Mindanao Development Authority, key government agencies responsible for the management of Mindanao river basins are strongly pushing for a Mindanao-wide River Basin Development Roadmap that will guide towards a coordinated and sustainable river basin rehabilitation and management in Mindanao.
“Our water resources have been at risk and therefore a collaborative effort among all stakeholders is needed to protect and conserve our headwaters,” said Luwalhati Antonino.
Mindanao has eight major river basins - the Agus river basin, Cagayan de Oro river basin, Tagoloan river basin, Agusan river basin, Mindanao river basin (Cotabato), Tagum-Libuganon river basin, Davao river basin and Buayan-Malungan river basin.
According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework, the region is endowed with rich ecosystems and dominated by fertile river basins and watersheds but these have been threatened by heavy reliance on extractive industries such as logging, fisheries and mining.
Mindanao 2020 said that watershed degradation in Mindanao has been largely due to heavy siltation, water pollution, unsustainable farming practices, and destruction of fish breeding grounds.
If not addressed, it will give rise to food security threats and hamper economic development. Mindanao’s total forest cover has also been rapidly denuded from 70% in 1900s to 23% in 1988 and down to six percent as of last year.
The island’s agri-based economy is also vulnerable to risks in rainfall change, El Niño and projected temperature increase brought abut by changes in climate.
"Sustainable development of Mindanao's river basin is very important to achieve security for its people. Climate change is already here, all we can do is to adapt to the changes"
Via Reuter
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Climate Change: Protect the Philippine Forests
The Philippines is so blessed to have a mega diverse resources. The Philippine forest serve as habitat of more than 6,000 plant species and numerous animal species including the endangered Philippine Eagle and other species on the brink of extinction.
Photo Credit
Climate Change and Philippine forest are directly linked to each other. changes in climate are affecting the forest and its ability to deliver its environmental services. Degradation of the forest resources results to emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will contribute to climate change.
Tropical forests in countries like the Philippines are important sources and sinks of carbon. Philippine forest can act as carbon sink, expending carbon stocks, and substituting wood products for fossil fuels.
With the dwindrling forests, coupled with the threats of more disasters brought by climate change, it is high time for a log ban and a massive reforestation effort. serious government efforts must be done to protect the Philippines from disasters brought by climate change.
Climate Change and Philippine forest are directly linked to each other. changes in climate are affecting the forest and its ability to deliver its environmental services. Degradation of the forest resources results to emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will contribute to climate change.
Tropical forests in countries like the Philippines are important sources and sinks of carbon. Philippine forest can act as carbon sink, expending carbon stocks, and substituting wood products for fossil fuels.
With the dwindrling forests, coupled with the threats of more disasters brought by climate change, it is high time for a log ban and a massive reforestation effort. serious government efforts must be done to protect the Philippines from disasters brought by climate change.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Philippine reaffirms support for climate change efforts at Geneva
The Philippines reaffirmed its support for efforts to address global climate change in the international meteorological meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Dr. Servando reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for global efforts to address the climate change challenge,"
The 16th World Meteorological Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, began on May 16 and will end on June 3.
According to Servando, the enormity of the climate change challenge requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from the global community, and thus expressed Philippine support “in principle" for the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
He said he expected that the GFCS “will go a long way to address risks and provide appropriate adaptation measures associated with climate variability and climate change at all levels."
Servando added the GFCS, which is one of the outcomes of the 2009 World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3), will help strengthen further existing local, national, regional and global networks of climate observation, research, and services programs.
The implementation of the GFCS will be crucial in capacity development to address the challenges and impacts of climate variability and change for countries such as the Philippines.
Servando noted the Philippines, being an archipelago of 7,109 islands with a coastline of 36,000 km, is among countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
He said the country is exposed to such disasters as sea level rise, coastal flooding and inundation due to the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones.
Also, he cited Philippine actions undertaken at the national level, including the enactment of the Climate Change Act, the issuance of the Climate Change Framework Strategy and the finalization of the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Servando added that PAGASA assists in efforts to incorporate integrated disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures into national policies.
These efforts include the identification of priorities and options in key sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, health, transport, tourism, disaster risk management and coastal management through existing national assessments and action plans, in support of national sustainable development goals.
He also said the Philippines contributes to meeting the training needs of the region.
"The Philippine should be very active in its Climate Change action plan since, Philippines is very vulnerable to minimal chnages in climate."
Via Reuter
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Dr. Servando reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for global efforts to address the climate change challenge,"
The 16th World Meteorological Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, began on May 16 and will end on June 3.
According to Servando, the enormity of the climate change challenge requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from the global community, and thus expressed Philippine support “in principle" for the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
He said he expected that the GFCS “will go a long way to address risks and provide appropriate adaptation measures associated with climate variability and climate change at all levels."
Servando added the GFCS, which is one of the outcomes of the 2009 World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3), will help strengthen further existing local, national, regional and global networks of climate observation, research, and services programs.
The implementation of the GFCS will be crucial in capacity development to address the challenges and impacts of climate variability and change for countries such as the Philippines.
Servando noted the Philippines, being an archipelago of 7,109 islands with a coastline of 36,000 km, is among countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
He said the country is exposed to such disasters as sea level rise, coastal flooding and inundation due to the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones.
Also, he cited Philippine actions undertaken at the national level, including the enactment of the Climate Change Act, the issuance of the Climate Change Framework Strategy and the finalization of the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Servando added that PAGASA assists in efforts to incorporate integrated disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures into national policies.
These efforts include the identification of priorities and options in key sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, health, transport, tourism, disaster risk management and coastal management through existing national assessments and action plans, in support of national sustainable development goals.
He also said the Philippines contributes to meeting the training needs of the region.
"The Philippine should be very active in its Climate Change action plan since, Philippines is very vulnerable to minimal chnages in climate."
Via Reuter
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A 'sudden' climate change kills millions of fish in Philippines
Hundreds of thousands of milk fish washed up dead at Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, south of Manila last May 29, 2011, baffling environmentalists and raising concerns over climate change issues.
"About 500 metric tons (500,000 kilos) of fish, worth more than 50 million pesos (U.S. $ 1.159 million) were seen floating in the water in the six towns of Batangas province the past two days", a local mayor said.
According to a local town agriculturist, the cause of the fish kill was a "sudden" climate change in the area.
The common perception of fish death is linked to depletion of oxygen in water, which is caused due to a number of factors. Gases released from volcanic activities often lead to poor oxygen levels in nearby lakes, but scientists believe that the deaths are not related to activitities inside Taal volano, which is surrounded by the Taal Lake.
However, they didn't rule out the possibility of a sudden drop in temperature for the cause of the deaths of millions of fish.
Important seafood in Southeast Asia, the milk fish aquaculture is one of the major revenue sources of Philippines economy. Such a huge mass kill of fish has not occurred before in Manila, an official said, adding that it's a great loss to the country.
Climate change is now showing its disastrous effect.It is not only deadly to the Bangus but also to the humans who loss millions because of that sudden changes.
Via Reuter
"About 500 metric tons (500,000 kilos) of fish, worth more than 50 million pesos (U.S. $ 1.159 million) were seen floating in the water in the six towns of Batangas province the past two days", a local mayor said.
According to a local town agriculturist, the cause of the fish kill was a "sudden" climate change in the area.
The common perception of fish death is linked to depletion of oxygen in water, which is caused due to a number of factors. Gases released from volcanic activities often lead to poor oxygen levels in nearby lakes, but scientists believe that the deaths are not related to activitities inside Taal volano, which is surrounded by the Taal Lake.
However, they didn't rule out the possibility of a sudden drop in temperature for the cause of the deaths of millions of fish.
Important seafood in Southeast Asia, the milk fish aquaculture is one of the major revenue sources of Philippines economy. Such a huge mass kill of fish has not occurred before in Manila, an official said, adding that it's a great loss to the country.
Climate change is now showing its disastrous effect.It is not only deadly to the Bangus but also to the humans who loss millions because of that sudden changes.
Via Reuter
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