CLIMATE change, or the Earth’s usual long-term weather patterns, has become a critical global challenge affecting every country, including the Philippines, and disrupting economies.
These weather patterns, like temperature and rainfall, are drivers in displacing communities, threatening human well-being and ecosystems worldwide.
Climatologists say these are driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions which act like a “risk multiplier,” worsening existing issues and disproportionately harming vulnerable populations, requiring urgent global action to adapt and mitigate further warming.
With climate change, weather patterns are shifting, getting warmer faster than ever before, mostly because humans are burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) which release heat-trapping gases (like carbon dioxide) that act like a blanket, making the planet hotter and causing more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and stressed ecosystems.
But we are gladdened the government is vigilant in standing up to this climate crisis which is severely affecting this country of more than 7,000 islands and 117 million people, making it one of the world’s most vulnerable countries due to its archipelagic nature and about 36,289-km-long coastlines.
Reliance on natural resources has not been of help, and intensified typhoons, sea-level rise, droughts, disrupted agriculture, health risks, and threats to food security, with millions already facing displacement and economic losses have been in the population’s eye range.
Climate change has become a global challenge as it affects every continent, disrupting economies, food production with droughts and floods, and increasing risks to health, safety, and housing.
It has intensified storms, heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, causing widespread destruction and displacement while worsening ir quality, spreading diseases (malaria, dengue, Lyme), and increasing heat-related illnesses, undermining health progress.
We are glad the government has not been intimidated by the challenges in climate change and gas emission reduction, primarily in the areas of energy policies and infrastructure, limited financial capacity and technical expertise, and vulnerability to extreme weather events which often divert resources to adaptation and recovery efforts.
It has introduced policies and programs, though their effectiveness is debated and implementation faces challenges.
For instance, the Philippines has set a target for 30 percent of energy to come from renewables by 2030.
But the country continues to rely heavily on coal and is increasing its use of imported liquefied natural gas as domestic gas supplies dwindle, raising concerns about locking in long-term fossil fuel dependence and stranded assets.
A moratorium on new coal plants was introduced in 2020, but allowed previously approved projects to proceed.
The country is also developing a National Plan on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, which includes accelerating methane reductions in rice production.
Initiatives also focus on waste management, as the waste sector is a major source of methane emissions, projected to increase significantly with population growth.
Overall, while the Philippines has strong climate goals and is actively implementing various programs, achieving its ambitious reduction targets requires overcoming significant financial, political, and regulatory hurdles, including a faster transition away from fossil fuels.
