Climate Change Philippines

Initiatives for Climate Change Pushed

2011-09-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

SEARCA is one of the countries leading organization is taking the lead role in KC3. A digital portal that provides access to knowledge resources, including news, images, and other materials on climate change adaptations in agriculture and natural resources in Southeast Asia.

Knowledge management is one of the possible areas where agencies can possibly collaborate. The project will undertake vulnerability measurement and mapping, gender ethnographics of vulnerability and economic analysis of adaptation.

The environmentalist group hope that the climate negotiation in Panama and South Africa will result in fair, ambitious and binding commitment.

They appealed to president Aquino as the only president to head the Climate Change Body. To reject policies that increase the countries carbon footprint. Instead speed up plans that would inspire neighboring countries to put climate change at the forefront of ASEAN Cooperation.

Especially that Southeast Asian countries are among the most vulnerable and least prepared to deal with climate change impacts.

Anti-Climate Change Initiative for 2012

2011-08-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

The Aquino administration has allocated large sum of money for its anti-climate change initiatives. 12.3 billion is for flood control and mitigation since lately there has been many provinces consistently experiencing floods. and another 7.5 billion for disaster-stricken provinces,

Party list Rep. Arnel Ty said that it is vital for the Aquino administration to pour resources to boost the Philippines capacity to mitigate climate change. Here are the list of 19 provinces most susceptible to floods;
   1. Pampanga
   2. Nueva Ecija
   3. Pangasinan
   4. Tarlac
   5. Maguindanao
   6. Bulacan
   7. North Cotabato
   8. Mindoro Oriental
   9. Ilocos Norte
   10. Iloilo
   11. Cagayan
   12. Sultan Kudarat
   13. Ilocos Sur
   14. Bataan
   15. Leyte
   16. Davao del Norte
   17. Compostella valley
   18. Camarines Sur
   19. La Union

Apart from this provinces other agencies will share the large budget are the following;
1. Metropolitan Manila Development Authorities Solid Waste and Disposal Management Project
2. Philippine Atmospheric, geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
3. Laguna de Bay Institutional Strengthening and Community Participation Project
4. Pasig River Rehabilitation project.

These initiatives would hopefully make the Philippine a climate resilient country, prepared from any forms of disasters and extreme weather changes.

Via Reuter

Mindanao - Renewable Energy sources for Climate Change

2011-08-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

The World Wild Fund for Nature - International Energy Policy Coordinator Rafael Senga says that the government should focus on investing indigenous renewable sources of energy.

Renewable energy is important in obtaining energy security and economic stability and at the same time mitigates effects of climate change.

Mindanao should increase its use of renewable energy to ease the power supply shortage, which is the main cause of the rotating brownouts on the island.

WWF pointed out that the diverse types of power source from renewable sources will serve as a buffer from the adverse effects of climate change and the volatility of international fossil fuel prices. It further says that among the Asian counties the Philippines is one who has the highest rates of power source.

Clean energy is very important for the Philippines and on the island of Mindanao. Renewable sources will decrease the countries emission of harmful gases in the atmosphere, aside from its clean its also cheap. cheap sources is equally important as we face the unpredictable changes of climate.

Climate Change Threatens World Security - Act Now!

2011-07-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

The 4th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says "We have enough evidence, enough scientific findings which should convince people that actions should be taken." Scientist agreed that extreme weather events are expected, more violent storms and frequent flooding will rise.

Climate change as a direct threat to international peace and security is still on heavy debate. Developed countries should lead the action to mitigate climate change and encourage the developing countries to do their fair share.

These extreme weather events continue to grow both the rich and poor countries will be facing these and is expected to increase International threat to peace and security.

According to Nauru President Marcus Stephen that several islands could disappear leading to large cross-border relocations which could threaten peace and security in the relocation and evacuation areas.

Actions should be done now. Leaders of nations should lead their countries and countrymen to help mitigate climate change....

WWF Helps the Philippines in Climate Change

2011-07-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

WWF - World Wildlife Fund is introducing the Philippine Fund for Nature - it will empower WWF-Philippines to sustain its major long-term projects. Helping conserve our biodiversity and mitigating the impact on the environment through their investments.

It will serve as an investment to increase scientific and technical expertise in understanding marine science and marine biodiversity in the Philippines, and in understanding the science behind the impact of climate change in the country.

It will also provide funds for organizations to develop and sustain projects about biodiversity and climate change. Among its major projects are the following;
   - Watershed Management project in Isabela
   - Climate Change Adaptation Plan in Davao
   - Management of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea

The World Wildlife Fund is aware of the Philippine's richness in natural resources as well as its high exploitation rate. Hence, they are stressing the importance of preserving these life-giving systems by striking a balance between biodiversity conservation and human impacts.

via reuter

Baguio City for Climate Change Adaptation

2011-07-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

   Baguio City, Philippines was choosen as one of the four municipalities that has been chosen as one of the site for AsianCitiedsAdapt. These is a project where the local has to develop local adaptation practices for climate change. Facilitated by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

   These International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is committed to attain sustainable development at the local level.

   The said project will be launched on July 19, 2011 at Ridgewood Residence at Brgy. Lualhati.

Makati's E-Jeepneys for Climate Change

2011-07-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

Three e-jeepney was launched last July 12, 2011 in Makati City headed by the Major of the Financial district Jejomar Binay Jr.

Philippine's e-jeepney
The route of this e-jeepney is called the "Makati Heritage Route". This e-jeepney is very environment friendly. Since unlike the typical jeepney which is run by gasoline or diesel that emits harmful gases in the atmosphere. This jeepney is run by electricity, it is charged for 6 hours and can run 150 kilometers and can carry at most 15 passengers.

The Philippine is facing extreme challenge with regards to climate change. Climate change mitigation measures such as this jeepney is very essential to somehow reduce our emission of harmful gases in the atmosphere.

Major cities around the world are the users of the 70% of the worlds resources as well as the major emitters of pollutant. strong political leadership such as this - introducing a cleaner and greener way of living-. this efforts must be imitated by other cities and even municipalities. to strengthen our weapon in our plight against Climate Change.

Lessen the effects and greenhouse gas for climate change

2011-07-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Philippines -- A senior government technical expert from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) on Tuesday expressed optimism that greenhouse gas emissions in the Philippines may be eased and reduced significantly in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.

DENR's Office of Climate Change chief executive director Albert Magalang says that through government's eco-friendly initiatives and active involvement by the private sector, the philippines can contribute in easing the effects of climate change.

Companies that burn fossil fuels, like coal and gasoline, generally contributed to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

However, "the emission of these greenhouse gases, we can say, can be controlled." Methane, another greenhouse gas produced in open dumpsites can be minimized if local government units would strictly implement garbage segregation and recycling.

To achieve emission reduction, the key is to involve also the private sector by providing them with incentives.
"Basically, we have to involve the private sector and involve investors in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and those which will give them carbon credits and other initiatives,"

A greenhouse gas is a gas in the atmosphere, more particularly carbon dioxide, that absorbs and emits the heat from sunlight, which is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect or global warming.
Meanwhile, a "carbon credit" is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one ton or 2000 pounds (0.907 metric ton or 907.18 kilograms) of carbon dioxide or the mass of another greenhouse gas with a carbon dioxide equivalent or equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide. Carbon credit is used to promote the exploration and development of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.

The CDM, on the other hand, is a market-based system provided under the Kyoto Protocol designed to assist and encourage countries to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the CDM, companies in the country can earn carbon credits by implementing energy efficient and renewable energy projects. These credits can be exchanged for cash in international markets at prevailing market prices.
Because of these incentives, more companies are expected to venture into CDM projects to take advantage of the tax breaks and other perks available to renewable energy projects.

"If then the Philippine government will continue its strong stand to mitigate climate change then we are on a way of a climate resilient Philippines.

Via Reuter

Climate change official urges relocation of coastal settlers

2011-06-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

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

Green & Clean Philippines

2011-06-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

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

'Laughing' cicada among new species found in Philippines

2011-06-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

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."

Climate Change in the Basic Education in Albay, Philippines

2011-06-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

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

Integrated River Basin Management in Mindanao for Climate Change Adapation

2011-06-08T02:57:00.000-07:00

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

Climate Change: Protect the Philippine Forests

2011-06-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Philippine reaffirms support for climate change efforts at Geneva

2011-06-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

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

A 'sudden' climate change kills millions of fish in Philippines

2011-06-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

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

Scarcity of Water and Climate Change

2010-01-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf

"Four out of 10 people in the world live in countries with a severe shortage of potable water"

According to a CIA report, the shortage of water will in the near future constitute one of the major sources of tension and armed conflict in the world. The scarcity of water and climate change will have far-reaching implications for human health.

Water is one of the most essential resource without it human life would cease to exist. The scarcity of drinking water will have a disastrous consequences on the acceleration of desertification particularly in Africa where it has attained alarming proportions.

Climate change is one of the main causes of the high increases in the number of infectious diseases. Since the temperature at the higher regions will rise so the ability of the disease to conquer at higher elevations also increased. Climate change is not only a security issue; it is also a moral issue. Those who have contributed the least to climate change will be the most at risk.

Climate Change Adaptation

2009-11-20T20:43:00.001-08:00

by Juan Echanore

Adaptation is complex, since the severity of the impacts will vary considerably from region to another region. Concrete measures will range from the relatively inexpensive to the very costly, including the fields of agriculture, climate research, technological innovation and disaster preparedness. The involvement of all segments of society, business and the public is essential in the further development of adaptation strategies.

photo source

Is Climate Change to blame?

2009-11-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

by Sahlee Bugna-Barrer

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that warming oceans could lead to the intensification of tropical cyclones. in a warmer climate, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events become stronger and more frequent. their impact on the Asian monsoon could lead to high inter-annual variation in rainfall characteristics.

Tropical cyclones could become more intense. when combined with sea level rise, this would result in an enhanced risk of loss of life and property in coastal low-lying areas in cyclone prone regions.

Damages to livelihood and propetry can affect millions of already poor people and stress government resources necessary to help those in need.

The developing countries of Asia, where impacts of climate change are likely to be felt most severely because of resource and infrastructure constraints.

Photo source

More Perfect Storms

2009-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Climate change + Biodiversity loss = disaster in Asia

by Sahlee Bugna-Barrer

Meteorologist used the term the Perfect storm to describe a rare combination of two powerful weather fronts and a hurricane that created the storm of historic proportions that hit the US in 1991. Since then it has been used to describe weather so extreme that they wreak maximum damage on people and the environment.

Tropical cyclones could become more intense when combined with sea level rise, this would result in an enhanced risk of loss of life and property in coastal low-lying areas in cycline-prone regions.

photo source

"We must kick the Carbon habit"

2009-11-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon
Asean Biodiversity
news Magazine

Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, make us deny important thruts and blinds us to the consequences of our actions.

Our dependence on carbon-based energy has caused a significant build-up of green house gases in the atmosphere. climate change is happening, and we know that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is the cause.

The cost will be borne by all. the poor will be hardest -hit by weather-related disasters.

We are all part of the solution.....

We must kick the carbon habit.....

Photo

2009-10-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ondoy and Climate Change

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Ondoy brought Metro Manila its highest amount of rainfall in the last 42 years.
“In 1967, a typhoon brought Metro Manila 334 mm of rain in 24 hours,” said Pagasa spokesman Nathaniel Cruz in an interview. “Last Saturday’s storm brought us the 334 mm of rain in just six hours. ‘Ondoy’ brought us a total of 453 mm of rain in 24 hours.”
Cruz said it may have been “a manifestation of climate change.”
Climate change, however, is not the root: it is itself merely a manifestation of much worse things.
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released in 2007, states that human activities have contributed to climate change through increases in the emissions of four principal greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbons (a group of gases containing bromine, chlorine, and fluorine).
Carbon dioxide emissions increased from the use of fossil fuels (e.g. petroleum, coal, and natural gas) in the manufacture of cement and other goods, transportation, and building heating and cooling. Decaying plant matter also emits carbon dioxide.
Methane is emitted from landfills, as well as from natural gas distribution and a few activities related to agriculture.
Fossil fuel burning and fertilizer use cause the emission of nitrous oxide. But natural processes in soil and the oceans can contribute to nitrous oxide emission.
Among the principal halocarbons are the chlorofluorocarbons, which have historically been used as refrigeration agents and for other industrial purposes.
Based on the IPCC’s research, the emission of these gases have increased since 1750, or the start of the industrial age, and particularly in the previous century.
Changes in the emission of these principal greenhouse gases affect the presence and amounts of ozone, water vapor, and aerosols in the air.
The increased emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide have increased ozone in the troposphere, the atmosphere’s first layer, leading to increase in temperatures in a number of areas. On the other hand, high halocarbon emissions have depleted ozone in the stratosphere (the second atmospheric level), leading to cooling in some areas.
The amount of water vapor in the air is a significant determinant of the general warmth or coolness of an area; more water vapor means a warmer atmosphere. Methane undergoes chemical destruction when it reaches the stratosphere, thus producing water vapor.
Aerosols are small particles present in the atmosphere that vary in chemical composition, concentration, and size.
The burning of fossil fuels and biomass has increased the amount of aerosols with sulfur and organic compounds, as well as black carbon (or soot). Surface mining and some other industrial activities have increased dust in the atmosphere.
The IPCC further stated that carbon dioxide accounts for 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly resulting from the burning of coal and crude oil.
Ninety percent of carbon dioxide emission is from countries within the Northern Hemisphere. The Group of Eight (G8) countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, and the US – and several other European Union member-countries are historically responsible for 65 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, with the US accounting for 20 percent of emissions in 2003.

Ondoy (Ketsana) - Climate change impact in the Philippines 2

2009-10-02T23:12:00.000-07:00

Ondoy Pushes Tens of Thousands of Families Into Severe Difficulty, Long-Term Poverty. The depletion of the world’s forests has also significantly affected climate change. The growth of forests causes the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and its absorption into leaves, soil, and wood. Based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), deforestation worldwide took place at the rate of 13 million hectares a year for the period 1990-2005 – with little signs of decrease over the years. As of 2005, 3.95 million hectares or only 30 percent of the planet’s total land area was covered with forests.
Based on the IPCC’s research, the increased carbon dioxide emissions have been the biggest contributor to what is now known as global warming. The increase in the emissions of other principal greenhouse gases have contributed to warming trends experienced in many parts of the world.
Global warming is a significant factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of typhoons.
Typhoons develop from the heat that dissipates when water vapor from warm sea surfaces condenses and forms cloud drops. The strength of typhoons increases when sea-surface temperatures are higher than 26°C, and goes down at sea-surface temperatures below 26°C.
Based on data from the socio-economic think-tank Ibon Foundation, the Asia-Pacific region has experienced in recent decades a general trend toward warming, which is consistent with global temperature patterns. Southeast Asia has warmed by 0.32°C over the past three decades.
“It is unfair that people in the Philippines should be the ones paying a greater price for the damage that developed countries have wrought on the environment,” said Amalie Obusan, Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, in a statement.
“The plight of vulnerable developing countries such as ours should put forward a strong moral imperative for early and decisive action” Obusan also said. “The threat to our people’s survival is a harsh reality that should inform the actions of the industrialized world’s leaders.”
At the ongoing intercessional meeting of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) in Bangkok, UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said the floods wrought by Ondoy in the Philippines highlight the need for an international agreement on climate change. “One of the reasons why countries have gathered here is to ensure the frequency and severity of those kinds of extreme weather events decreases as a result of ambitious climate change policy,”

"We must therefore prepare for the next typhoon coz it might be as strong or even stronger than Ondoy"

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2009-10-02T23:06:00.001-07:00

"It is therefore the fault of man why the effects of continued rain has been so devastating"

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Ondoy (Ketsana) - Climate change impact in the Philippines

2009-10-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

The Philippines strongly urged developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions to stem the impact of climate change in the wake of its worst flooding in decades.
Tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rain in more than 40 years on Manila and its neighbouring areas over the weekend, killing 246 people and affecting more than two million.
"Tropical storm Ketsana is clearly a manifestation of the consequences of global inaction in addressing the immediate impacts of creeping climate change,"
Rich countries must act "to moderate these storms and spare the whole world from the impoverishing and devastating impacts of climate change, especially to low-lying archipelagic island-nations like the Philippines,"
The Philippines is calling for developed countries to make "deep and early cuts of emissions" of more than 30 percent from 2013 to 2017 and more than 50 percent from 2018 to 2022, pegged to 1990 levels.

"The wrath brought by typhoon Ondoy to the Philippines is a very good waking up call not only to the Filipinos but most especially to its leaders, to act immediately to mitigate climate change"

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