10 Reasons To Declare Climate Emergency Now

Climate change knows no boundaries, emissions from a small or large country can have global repercussions. According to the 2017 World Risk Report, the Philippines is the third most vulnerable country to climate change. Evidently, the catastrophic typhoons and extreme heat that we are experiencing are brought by the immense impact. For that reason, we should declare Climate Emergency Now! Continue reading…

10 Reasons To Declare Climate Emergency Now

Here are the reasons why we are advocating for immediate action, and how we hope that acknowledging these differential impacts will lead to just and equitable climate action that meets the needs of individuals who have been unfairly put at risk. 

10. Wildfires are becoming more prone due to drought condition

Global warming worsened the effects of El Niño, the most recent of which was experienced in the country last February 2020. At least a thousand hectares of pine forest have been burned in an ongoing wildfire near Mount Pulag in Benguet.

9. Threat to water supplies

Water scarcity is already caused by climate change, which is reducing the quality and amount of accessible water. According to a World Resources Institute report, the Philippines would face a “high” degree of water scarcity by the year 2040 and out of 167 countries, the country ranks 57th with the most water pressure. 

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8. Destructive Typhoons

Between 2006 and 2013, the Philippines suffered 75 natural disasters, the most of which were typhoons, tropical storms, and floods. As a result of climate change, typhoons are becoming increasingly destructive and devastating. 

According to research conducted in 2020, Ulysses was the most devastating typhoon that caused significant damage to infrastructure and crops, followed by Rolly, Quinta, Ambo, Vicky, Pepito, Ofel, and Marce, then Odette and Agaton in 2021-2022. The majority of the impacted places are those located near water bodies, bordered by mountains with few trees to absorb a large quantity of water, and in low-lying locations.

7. Sea level rise  

Climate change has a domino effect, and one of them is sea-level rise, which is linked to devastating typhoons. The Philippines’ sea levels are increasing at nearly double the world average pace. When major storms reach land, such as Typhoon Haiyan, the increasing sea level adds to storm surges of up to 15–20 feet. 

The Philippines has the largest observed sea-level increase, at 60 centimeters, which is about three times the world average of 19 cm. This puts 60% of LGUs spanning 64 coastal provinces, 822 coastal municipalities, 25 major coastal cities, and an estimated 13.6 million Filipinos in danger.

6. Declining rice yields 

The great majority of climate change impacts on rice production are caused by changes in precipitation and temperature, which cause flooding, water scarcity, and an increase in pests, diseases, and weeds. According to an examination of temperature trends and irrigated field tests at the International Rice Research Institute, each 1°C rise in growing-season minimum temperature in the dry season reduces grain output by at least 10%.

5. Labor productivity declined

Climate change has a significant impact on the global workforce through labor. According to a study, climate change lowers performance during working hours because employees who are exposed to extreme heat slow down and take longer breaks to rehydrate and cool down.

4. More women are endangered and killed

Women and men are experiencing climate change in diverse ways, since gender inequalities remain across the world, limiting individuals’ and communities’ ability to adapt. Disasters do not affect everyone equally.

For example, in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India, an Oxfam survey revealed that males outnumbered women by nearly three to one. Men were more likely to be able to swim, whereas women lost evacuation time caring for children and other families.

3. Coral loss

The coral reefs of the Philippines are the second largest in Southeast Asia, supporting hundreds of  animal species. It is, however, already threatened by direct human activity and climate change. The temperature and acidity of the water are both rising brought by climate change. Coral bleaching is becoming more likely as temperatures rise.

According to the IPCC, the maximum fish capture potential of Philippine waters would drop by up to 50% between 2051 and 2060 compared to the 2001-2010 levels.

2. Health Crisis

Climate change increases the threats of human health problems, extreme heat can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The increase in temperatures can also lead to the surge of diseases such as dengue, malaria, cholera, and typhoid. 

Did you know that in 1998, the Philippines experienced the strongest El Nino phenomenon to date, and this resulted in almost 40,000 dengue cases, 1,200 cholera cases, and nearly 1,000 typhoid fever cases, were recorded nationwide.

1. Double impact on the poor

The majority of poor people rely on agriculture and natural resources to make a living. Droughts brought by the immense impact of climate change can last for months or years, wreak havoc on food supply and deplete water resources. When droughts, natural catastrophes, or other climate-related events push them off their land, they will fall further into poverty.

Climate Action Now!

Climate change is real, and its effects are already being experienced, from severe typhoons to serious health concerns. The Filipino people, are calling our dear aspiring leaders’ awareness, that we, the Filipino people will support leaders who boldly implement policies to safeguard the environment and leaders who have clear strategies to combat climate change.