Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry

College of Arts and Sciences

DIZON, CHELZI DINZ D. March 18, 2019

REACTION PAPER ON PHILIPPINES CLIMATE CHANGE

The documentary Philippines Climate Change on Coastal Areas tackles about climate
change that caused mainly by human activities. It also talks about the impacts of climate change
in our environment especially in our coastal areas. To reduce the effects of this problem from
happening, disaster management strategies and different adaptation and mitigation measures have
been made.

Researchers projected that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come,
largely due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities. Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases
that trap heat in the atmosphere as a result of excessive use of energy in our daily life. Some
greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Carbon dioxide enters the
atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) to generate electricity and to
run our cars, solid waste, trees and wood products. Methane is emitted from the production and
transport of coil, oil and natural gas and can be found in our garbage. Nitrous oxide is produced
during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid
waste. Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride are powerful gases that are
produced from aerosols and industrial coolants.

Health, agriculture, forest, water resources, coastal areas, physical and biological systems
are greatly affected by climate change. In the video, it shows that climate change increases the
number of respiratory diseases, infectious diseases and weather-related mortality. Subsequently,
climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways including the change in crop yields due to
high temperature, irrigation demand and productivity in terms of quality and quantity of crops.
Forest, on the other hand, is affected by the geographic change of species, pest outbreaks, fires,
drought and human development. In addition, water is essential to both society and ecosystems.
We need clean supply of water to sustain our health and it also needed in agriculture, energy
production and many more. Due to climate change, warmer temperature increases the rate of
evaporation of water hence, competition issues will arise. At the present time, Philippines’ coastal
areas are considered to be the most affected by climate change. Philippines is composed of 30,000-
40,000 sq. km coastlines- areas which are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Direct effects of climate change in coastal areas include flooding, salt water intrusion and sea level
rise. Since our country is abundant in different natural resources, it contributes to the livelihood of
the locals living in coastal areas. Industrialization along with the fast growing population, climate
change causes a massive effect on the livelihood of the people. Subsequently, Philippines is located
in the western pacific ocean thus, typhoons are most likely to hit the country. The fact that the
Philippine temperature has been recorded to be 25.4oC in 1920 and increased to 26.2oC in 2000 is
very alarming. Due to global warming, rapid increase of temperature in the surface causes the
formation of super typhoons. Furthermore, effects of climate change on physical and biological
systems involve the increase in frequency and intensity of El Nino and Southern Oscillation
(ENSO) phenomena, increase in sea level that can lead to beach and shoreline erosion, increase in
sea salinity resulting to lesser mangrove production and is harmful for the sea grasses thus, the
availability of nutrients are less to sustain marine life, coral bleaching which destroys the food
chain since corals will die because of warm temperature, and the sudden change of weather
conditions activate the organisms.

With the help of different sectors, many adaptation measures have already been made in
order to control this problem. This include the academe which can provide technical knowledge
regarding this issue, Non- Government Organization (NGO) for training and capacity building,
private institutions for financial support and most importantly, people who participate with the
strategies and measures implemented by the national government. Fortunately, the government is
raising awareness and taking actions regarding climate change. In order to prevent serious damage
and deaths, hazard maps are made. It is to provide information for the people the risks of natural
hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanoes and tsunamis. Also, early warning
systems have been developed by the government for us to be informed of possible storm surges,
floods and landslides. The video also discussed the different disaster management strategies that
are being implemented by the government.

The documentary serves as a wakeup call to all filipinos that we should take actions to
resolve this global problem that we are encountering today. Climate change is a serious global
problem which requires a global solution. When we say global solution, not just the government
or other sectors all over the world would take actions but we, all people regardless of position will
unite as one to prevent this occurrences.