Climate Change and it’s Impact in the Philippines

Climate change is happening now.  The change cannot be just attributed to natural variation, according
to the evidence that is currently available. The most recent scientific analyses have confirmed that the
observed rise in greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels
and changes in land use, is what is most likely to be responsible for the warming of the climate system
since the middle of the 20th century. In the future, the effects of current warming will continue to
present both man and the environment with fairly significant concerns. There is currently some
autonomous adaptation occurring, but in order to maintain sustainable development, we need to think
about more proactive adaptation planning.

Today, let's discuss the effects of climate change in the Philippines. The Philippines is at risk from a
number of climate change-related occurrences, including sea level rise, an increase in the frequency of
extreme weather, rising temperatures, and high rainfall. This is a result of the nation's susceptibility to
natural hazards like typhoons and droughts, its dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources, and
its lengthy coastline, which is home to the majority of the nation's people and the country's major cities.

1. The Philippines' sea levels are increasing at around twice the rate of the rest of the world. The
increased sea level adds to storm surges of up to 15-20 feet when extremely strong storms, like
Typhoon Haiyan, hit land. 42% of coastal dwellers and 14% of the total population are predicted
to be impacted by storm surges. In the Philippines, 45% of the urban population lives in informal
settlements, and because of their unstable infrastructure, difficult access to clean water, and
lack of health insurance, they are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
2. Due to a decline in the quality and amount of accessible water, climate change is already
contributing to a water shortage. Extreme rainfall results in floods and landslides, which raise
runoff, degrade water quality, and destroy infrastructure for water delivery. In the Philippines,
saltwater intrusion into groundwater sources has led to water quality issues in around a quarter
of the coastal districts. This issue is anticipated to worsen as sea levels rise.
3. Climate change may affect the Philippines' energy supply and lead to higher energy
consumption as a result of rising air conditioning demand. Water shortage brought on by
climate change poses a threat to the country's hydropower industry, which provides 20% of the
nation's electricity. For instance, hydropower output was 20% lower in 2010 than it was in 2009
due to drought. Storms that are stronger and more frequent put other crucial energy facilities,
like the Malampaya offshore natural gas field, in danger.
4. Drought conditions have led to an increase in wildfires, which are thought to be made worse by
climate change. These fires destroyed substantial areas of forest over 15,700 hectares.
Additionally, the spread of plants and insects that destroy natural ecosystems has been related
to the greater temperatures and humidity in these areas.
5. The danger of contracting illnesses including malaria, dengue fever, and diarrhea transmitted by
mosquitoes is expected to increase due to increased rainfall and warming temperatures. Even
though dengue epidemics occur every three to four years and malaria rates have significantly
decreased in recent years, diarrhea was still the sixth highest cause of death.

Thus, in order to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The Climate Change Act, passed by the
Philippines in 2009, mandates local governments to create a local climate change action plan. as of July
2016, only 160 of 1,700 LGUs had LCCAPs in place. According to the Philippine Climate Change Act, the
Climate Change Commission (CCC) is the main institution responsible for formulating policies related to
climate change. The CCC said in April 2021 that it was altering its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions
by 75% by 2030 from 70%, which had been set four years earlier, as part of its commitment to the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change. In addition to promoting sustainability and sustainable development, the
Philippines' climate change policy needs to take into account how heavily the nation depends on fossil
fuels to generate electricity, power machinery for transportation, and run factories.

Last thoughts. The Philippines' future is uncertain at the moment. Threats to the nation's environment,
industries, and citizens' lifestyles and means of subsistence present serious difficulties. Governments
worldwide, including those in the Philippines, will need to coordinate their efforts to fight the climate
problem by reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy sources. The best thing we can do is
educate ourselves on the best ways to deal with these difficulties. Even while it may feel at times as
though there is nothing we as individuals can do, if we arm ourselves with knowledge of the science
behind climate change and its effects on both people and the environment, we can begin to make
changes for the better and persuade others to join forces.