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CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN PHILIPPINES
Written by Jiny Kim (17), Lily Kim (15) and Leila Jamolangue (12)
The Philippines was considered as the most affected country by climate change in 2013.
Today, in the present time, we are going through the different effects of climate change in many ways, which we aren't happy about -NOT AT ALL-.
One of them is having more intense typhoons. Last 2013, we had one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded and which is also the deadliest natural disaster in the country’s history. This typhoon was called “Haiyan”. The typhoon got lots of innocent lives and destroyed most of the livelihood. Unfortunately, until now, we still get many devastating typhoons. And it's getting worse.
Because of the effects of climate change, typhoons are now stronger and more frequent, sea levels are rising(which WILL endanger agricultural activity and important ecosystems), coral reefs are slowly becoming extinct, and there are water borne disease outbreaks. This will have a direct impact on the 14 million Filipinos who live on the coast, many of whom make a living from fishing.
Second effect of climate change is rice yield decreasing associated with increase of temperature. This is happening because the average mean of temperature has increased by 0.57 degrees Celsius during the last 58 years, with an increase in the number of warm and hot nights while cold days and nights are decreasing and the seasons are shifting.
Aside from this, there are a lot landslides, floods, and droughts that are happening here in the Philippines. We know that this dreadful climate change wont stop, it's inevitable. But, all of this is happening because we, humans, have caused it.
During the unfortunate events in typhoon Haiyan, we had a quote saying “Filipino spirit is stronger than any typhoon." Even with all the hardships we have gone through, the flames of our hope still burn. But sometimes, that flame doesnt last long and we dont know when it will burn out. There are families who lost their dear ones and whose lives has turned 100% upside down in a painful way and we dont want that to happen anymore. So, even if its small, we all have to at least try to do something to lessen the catastrophic weather events that will happen in the future.
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7 Comment(s)
I am in agreeance with your points in this blog, and the things happening in your home country truly are devastating. Do these natural disasters happen where you live? It would be interesting to learn from someone with first hand evidence and raw information regarding these horrible happenings. Your piece is excellent also (:
good job, pretty funny but also quite serious. u have a unique view on climate change :). i agree that during the unfortunate events in Typhoon Haiyan it was important to keep spirits high, i also agree that an effect of climate change is rice yield decreasing associated with increase of temperature.
I agree with you Rele. The Philippines may not be storm-proof or climate-change-proof, but our smiles and spirits are :) Our farmers are currently suffering from El Nino, or dry spell. It makes the temperature higher by 1.5 degrees Celcius. In fact, 58% of the Phillipines will experience El Nino until 2016 ends. Although, it is expected increase into 85% in Febuary 2016. More than 65,000 farmers we're affected by this dry spell. Most of them plant corn and rice. It damaged PHP 3.3 billion or $151,765,020 worth of crops and other businesses related to agriculture. As a solution, our government started to send cloud seeding operations in the provinces that are affected by El Nino.
I do think that what has happened to Philippine is unfortunate but do you have any plans/ideas for reducing the effects of climate change?
I agree with you. Philippians has been going through a lot for a long time. Whether it be tsunamis, typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, they still continue to pick themselves up and continue to survive through these harsh conditions. The climate change hits the Philippines hard and will continue to hit if we(all of the people in the world) don't start to make a change in our ways, and really understand the wrong that we are doing and can fix very easily. :)
Ang ganda po nang pagkasabi niyo sa nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran.
I have lived in Canada now for almost two years but I'm truly devastated about what happened to our environment in the Philippines. I still hope that we can rise from all of the hardship our community has faced. I truly believe that the Filipino spirit is stronger than any natural disaster. Also, our government in the Philippines dosen't do anything to lessen the waste that is everywhere and dosen't educate people how to prevent climate change and lessen the burning of plastics that causes climate change.The evidence of this is that in 2013 the Philippines was named the most affected country by climate change because of the burning of plastic.
Our government really needs to step up their game because people are dying because of this issue called climate change. I can relate by this because on typhoon Hiyan my aunt died. I believe that it's not just the government that needs to step up their game also, the people, because the people are the ones who make change happen.
I'm sorry your way of life is changing. What do the people who make their living off fishing do when a typhoon hits?
Excellent piece Betty.
It is devastating to hear that the community you care about has faced a disaster for which ultimately we are all responsible for. I also realize that like many other countries, the environmental issues in Philippines have become heavily mixed up with political and often violent actions. But let's not lose hope. If there is a solution to this problem, it will be found with community involvement. We have to ensure that we are doing everything we possibly can to care for each other during crisis, and demand more safety-related, green policies from our government.
Meanwhile, there are some very useful programs running in your country that are helping the process of divesting from fossil fuels. for example "The Philippines Biofuels Act 2006" which makes it mandatory for all oil companies to use biofuels. This act-if executed properly- can have a positive effect on agriculture industry too.
Jordan Hallam
Oct 27, 2015