- Climate change is a global challenge that affects the Philippines in various ways, such as more frequent and intense typhoons, rising sea levels, declining agricultural productivity, and increasing water scarcity.
- We can all do our part to mitigate and adapt to climate change, by adopting more sustainable practices in our daily lives, such as using renewable energy, reducing waste, consuming responsibly, eating healthily, and living simply.
- We can also collaborate with NGOs and NPOs that work on climate change and environmental issues, to access information, education, skills, training, resources, services, networks, communities, actions, and advocacy.
- By doing so, we can not only protect the planet, but also improve our lives and well-being, and contribute to the development and progress of the Philippines and the world.
- We can also celebrate and honor our Earth Month theme, which is “Planet vs. Plastics.”
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, impacting developing countries like the Philippines, where climate awareness and eco-friendly resources are crucial for mitigating risks and fostering sustainable living. NGOs play a pivotal role in providing NGO resources for climate initiatives. It influences all parts of our lives, from health and happiness to money and safety, to culture and self. Developing countries like the Philippines struggle more with climate risks and fewer resources.
How does climate change impact the Philippines in 2024? This blog answers this question using the most up-to-date scientific data and reports. Discover ways to reduce your environmental footprint and embrace sustainability. See how working with green groups can help the Earth.
Learn about the Earth’s issues with our campaign. We reward our users who act with green partners. You can find more details about our Earth Month campaign and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners at the end of this blog.
PREVIEW:
I. Understanding Climate Change
A. The Science Behind Climate Change
B. Major Causes of Climate Change
II. The Impact of Climate Change on the Philippines
A. Effects on Weather Patterns
B. Impact on Agriculture and Fisheries
C. Consequences for Biodiversity
III. Sustainable Practices for Climate Change
IV. Reducing Your Environmental Footprint
V. Collaborating with NGOs for Climate Action
Understanding Climate Change
Climate change is the Earth’s long-term weather shift. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) cause these changes. These gases trap heat from the sun and warm up the planet, creating a greenhouse effect.
Human actions like fossil fuels, deforestation, farming, and industry emit greenhouse gases. The Earth 2024 Update says the world is 1.2°C hotter than before and will hit 1.5°C by 2030. This small rise affects the Earth and people.
Some of the impacts of climate change include:
- Worse and more weather disasters like heat, drought, flood, storm, and fire.
- Melting glaciers and ice caps, lead to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
- Changes in rainfall patterns and water availability, affect agriculture and food security.
- Fewer species and nature’s benefits like pollination, pest control, and water cleaning.
- Spread of diseases and pests, affecting human and animal health.
- Migration and displacement of people, lead to social and political conflicts.
- Economic losses and damages, affecting various sectors and industries.
Many factors affect how sectors emit greenhouse gases, and green options and sector fixes, supported by NGO collaboration, can lower emissions and combat climate change.
The Science Behind Climate Change
The scientific evidence for climate change is overwhelming and undeniable. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading authority on climate change assessment and policy. Thousands of scientists from around the world have contributed to the IPCC. The IPCC’s six reports, the latest in 2021, cover climate change science, effects, and solutions.
Major Causes of Climate Change
Humans’ greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change. Four sectors cause the most greenhouse gas emissions, they are:
- Energy: Electricity, heat, and fuel use cause 73% of emissions. Coal, oil, and gas are dirty and finite emission sources.
- Industry: Material production and processing cause 18% of emissions. Fossil fuels, waste, and industry cause emissions.
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use: Farming, land use, and biomass burning cause 12% of emissions. The main sources of emissions are CH4, N2O, and CO2.
- Waste: Waste disposal and treatment cause 3% of emissions. The main source of emissions is CH4.
Many factors affect how sectors emit greenhouse gases. Green options and sector fixes can lower emissions and climate change.
The Impact of Climate Change on the Philippines
The Philippines, being vulnerable to climate change, requires a concerted effort for green living practices. Collaborating with NGOs can provide valuable eco-friendly resources and support for affected communities. It is one of the worst affected countries in the world. This is because of its geographic location. It also has a high population density and a low adaptive capacity. It depends a lot on natural resources. The Climate Performance Index 2024 says the Philippines does well on climate change. The World Risk Index 2023 says the Philippines is the riskiest country for 13 years.
Some of the impacts of climate change on the Philippines include:
- Deadly typhoons like Rolly, Ulysses, and Odette.
- Sea levels rise and endanger millions in coastal areas like Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
- Coral reefs decline and affect fisherfolk and coastal communities’ food, income, and protection.
- Farming is in trouble. It affects food and income. Many farmers and consumers suffer. Rice, corn, coconut, and banana are the worst hit.
- Water shortage is getting worse. It affects water for different uses. Home, farm, and industry need water. Luzon and Mindanao are especially affected.
- Forests are shrinking. They lower the country’s ability to store carbon, prevent erosion, regulate water, and support life. Forests help with these things.
- Diseases are more common like dengue, malaria, cholera, and leptospirosis. They affect the health and well-being of millions of people. Children, the elderly, and the poor are especially affected.
Climate change impacts the environment and society. They affect many things like the human rights, dignity, and development of the Filipino people. Some groups are more affected such as women, children, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. They challenge Filipino traits such as Bayanihan, resiliency, and nature-loving.
Effects on Weather Patterns
Climate change alters the Philippines’ weather patterns. Weather changes make extreme events more common and severe.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirms the Philippines’ average temperature rise. PAGASA predicts Philippine temperatures will rise 0.9-1.1°C by 2020 and 1.8-2.2°C by 2050. As a result, the Philippines is likely to experience more hot days and nights, and fewer cold days and nights. Various factors affect human well-being.
The Philippines’ wet season is wetter, and the dry season is drier. Luzon and Mindanao will experience more dry spells. Visayas and Mindanao will have more intense rainfall. Water, food, and disaster issues may arise.
The Philippines’ wind is less predictable and stable. The Philippines will face a problem. Typhoons will be more frequent and stronger. They will affect the eastern and northern parts of the country more. The storm surges and coastal erosion will also increase. They will affect the low-lying and densely populated areas more. This can affect infrastructure and transportation, livelihood and economy, and safety and security.
Impact on Agriculture and Fisheries
Climate change affects the food and income sources of millions in the Philippines. Natural resources and the environment affect these sectors.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) says agriculture adds 8.9% to 2022 GDP. It employs about 24.2% of the labor force in the Philippines. The Philippines grows rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, banana, and pineapple. These crops are sensitive to changes in temperature, rainfall, and pests. Climate change lowers crop yield and quality and raises production costs and risks.
Fisheries contribute 1.3% to the GDP of the Philippines and provide jobs for 1.6 million people, or 4% of the labor force. Marine, inland, and aquaculture are the main sources of fishery products indeed. Aquatic ecosystems’ health and productivity affect these. Climate change impacts fishery resources, fisherfolk, and coasts.
Climate change affects agriculture and fisheries. This can have serious consequences. Food security and income of millions of Filipinos are at risk. The poor and marginalized groups are especially vulnerable. These include smallholder farmers and fisherfolk. It can also affect the food supply and demand, and the food prices and inflation, of the country and the region.
Consequences for Biodiversity
Climate change affects biodiversity, the diversity and richness of life, in the Philippines. The Philippines is a megadiverse country with many species and ecosystems. Biodiversity benefits humans and the environment with food, medicine, materials, and ecosystem services.
The Philippines has about 207 mammals, 691 birds, 419 reptiles and 120 amphibians. Most of these animals are endemic. The Philippines has iconic, endangered species like the eagle, tarsier, crocodile, and tamaraw.
The Philippines has many ecosystems: rainforests, reefs, mangroves, and caves. The country has many ecosystems. Some of them are terrestrial ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks, and marshes. Brackish/Estuarine ecosystems include mangrove and nipa swamps. Saltwater/Marine ecosystems include mudflats, seagrass belts, and coral reefs. The Philippines also has special ecosystems like caves.
Climate change can harm species and ecosystems by changing their habitats. Climate change has negative effects on biodiversity. It increases the threats and pressures on it. Biodiversity suffers from habitat loss, invasions, overuse, and pollution. Biodiversity and ecosystem services suffer from climate change, harming humans and nature.
Sustainable Practices for Climate Change
While the situation may seem grim, there is still hope and opportunity for action. Let’s fight climate change with sustainable habits. Sustainable practices balance present and future needs. They also respect others and the environment.
Some of the sustainable practices that we can adopt for climate change include:
- Use renewables, not fossil fuels.
- Save energy, use public transport or bike.
- Cut waste and pollution, recycle, and compost.
- Buy local, organic, and fair-trade, and avoid waste and harm.
- Eat less meat and dairy, and more fruits, and veggies.
- Embrace simplicity and awareness and cherish nature and culture.
These sustainable practices are not only good for the planet, but also good for us. They can help us save money, improve our health, enhance our well-being, and enrich our lives. They also help us share our ideals, goals, and cultures.
Reducing Your Environmental Footprint
Calculate environmental footprint to measure sustainability. Environmental footprint measures resource use, waste, and pollution. It measures land, water, carbon, or overshoot.
Online tools and calculators can help us. They can estimate our environmental footprint. E.g. Global Footprint Network, World Wildlife Fund, Carbon Footprint. These tools also give us customized advice to lower our footprint and live greener.
The Philippines has ecological deficit for 50 years, the population needs more resources than ecosystems. The Philippines exceeds ecosystems’ resource and waste limits, causing an ecological deficit.
To lower footprint and balance ecology, we need less resource demand and more supply. We can adopt sustainable practices and support green initiatives and policies.
Collaborating with NGOs for Climate Action
Another way to amplify the impact of our sustainable practices is to collaborate with NGOs and non-profit organizations (NPOs) that work on climate change and environmental issues. NGOs and NPOs are non-governmental and non-profit organizations that operate independently from the state and the market. They are driven by a common vision, mission, and values, and they aim to address the needs and interests of various stakeholders, especially the marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
Some of the benefits and opportunities of collaborating with NGOs and NPOs for climate action include:
- Access information and education to understand and raise awareness on climate and environment.
- Get skills and training to develop and improve sustainability practices and competencies.
- Use resources and services to apply and measure sustainability practices and outcomes.
- Join networks and communities to connect and collaborate with like-minded people and organizations.
- Act and advocate to influence and support climate and environment policies.
Many NGOs and NPOs tackle climate and environment in the Philippines and globally. Some of them are:
- Greenpeace Philippines campaigns for environmental protection and justice. They stop coal and plastic pollution. They promote renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. They protect marine and forest ecosystems.
- WWF Philippines works on the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and natural resources. They conserve and restore coral reefs, mangroves, forests, and wildlife.
- Haribon Foundation focuses on research and education on Philippine biodiversity and ecosystems. They study and teach about birds, plants, and habitats.
- Oxfam Philippines tackles poverty and inequality. They especially help women and Indigenous peoples. They promote climate justice, disaster resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Climate Reality Project Philippines trains and mobilizes climate leaders and advocates. They include youth, media, and professionals. They spread awareness and action on climate change and solutions.
These are some of the examples of NGOs and NPOs that we can collaborate with for climate action. Visit their sites and social sites for more info. See our Earth Month page for NGO features.
Climate change is a global challenge that requires a collective response. Let’s fight climate change with sustainability and less waste. Let’s partner with eco-groups for learning, support, and action.
This helps the planet, us, and the Philippines’ growth. Let’s cherish our Earth Month theme: Planet vs. Plastics.
We hope that this blog has inspired and motivated you to act for the planet. Join our Earth Month campaign. Visit our site and socials for Earth Month info.
Thank you for reading and happy Earth Month! 🌎
SUMMARY:
Join the Earth Month campaign and collaborate with NGOs and NPOs for climate action.
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