Lobaton, Miles BEED-3A September 13, 2023

Environmental Science

Reaction Paper to "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Negros

Occidental

The report on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Negros Occidental

discussed about climate change, the vulnerabilities of Negros Occidental to climate

change, and the different adaptation strategies that have already been practiced in the

province. This topic mainly focuses on the Negros Occidental province, but the effects

of climate change does not only affect us locally, but globally.

Climate change are long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, may be it

due to natural causes such as the sun’s own activity or large volcanic eruptions. Human

activities such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas have had a big contribution to

climate change, which can greatly affect our own health, ability to grow food and day to

day activities. Climate change will continue to grow worse if we don’t take steps to help

our planet heal and he impacts of not taking action leads to big consequences. Its

impacts are not only local, but global. Some of these impacts lead to rise in

temperature, extreme weather events, agricultural disruption, and biodiversity loss.

We may not be able to really feel how climate change affects us right away because the

destruction of the planet through this effect happens gradually. But we all know in the
future, when someday we would all look back and remember how much of a better

place the world was back then.

Listening to the group’s report, it saddens me knowing that if we don’t act as soon as

possible and take action as stewards of the planet, our future generation will never

enjoy the world as much as we do now and as much as we did when we were younger.

The group report tapped into the atmospheric circulation and the greenhouse gas

emission effects’ contribution to the change of climate in Negros Occidental.

Atmospheric circulation transports heat over the surface of the Earth that affects the

water cycle, including the formation of clouds and precipitation events. The Negros

Occidental, being located at an elevation of 41.97 meters (137.7 feet) above sea level,

has a Tropical monsoon climate. The province’s yearly temperature at 27.37 degrees

Celsius is 0.15% higher than Philippines’s averages.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process in which certain gases in the Earth's

atmosphere trap heat from the sun, helping to maintain the planet's temperature at a

level conducive to life. About 90 percent of rice farmers burn left over rice straw, while

64 percent of sugarcane fields are set on fire before or after harvesting.

Almost half the land in Negros is reserved for agricultural purposes, hence being

dubbed as The Sugar Bowl of the Philippines. The largest producer in the country

known as the Victorias Milling Company is one of the largest sugar millers and refineries

in Asia.

Factories for so many years have been one the biggest contributors of waste making

the province of Negros Occidental vulnerable to environmental issues. Therefore,

implemented.

Sugarcane and rice field burning causes pollution of nearby waterways through acid

rain, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and depletion of soil nutrients and microbial

life, along with harm to communities caught in the flame when not done and guarded

properly.

Acid rain can be formed by natural causes, such as volcanic eruptions. More commonly,

however, acid rain is due to human activities. Burning fossil fuels, manufacturing, oil

refineries, electricity generation, and vehicles all release sulfur and nitrogen oxides into

the atmosphere.

We need to practice being responsible citizens such as considering how much of the

toxic waste and greenhouse gas emissions we could be contributing to the world.

Changing weather patterns causes Heat waves, extreme weather events, and air

pollution, which are all contributing to an increase in heat-related illnesses, respiratory

problems, and other diseases. In addition, climate change is having a major impact on

food production, leading to malnutrition and even starvation in some parts of the world.

All of these will then affect our everyday lives as well, like we could be stranded at home

because of heavy rain instead of going to work or booking a private vehicle for an

expensive price just so you wouldn’t be late. Street vendors will have to take the day off

and some shops will also be closed. Some plans and schedules can be cancelled as

well if they are not favorable with the day’s weather.

the capital stock and labor supply, and labor productivity will weaken as the world

economy adjusts to higher temperatures. When the supply decreases, the demand will

be high, leading to increase of supply price. Inflation will then rise through the growing

cost of food, energy, and insurance.

A lot of adaptation strategies have already been implemented in the Negros Island.

Rallies dedicated to climate change and for the island to be coal-free, renewable energy

forums. Through these talks and rallies, environmental advocates can reach out to more

people so that they would be aware of what is happening to our environment and the

future damage that we will face later on.

The ”May Bugas sa Basura” program by the Public Affairs and Assistance Division at

Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City was a really smart move for me. Through this program, a lot

of people will not only be able to clean the coastal areas of Banago, but will be able to

feed their families with the sacks of rice that they receive for every sack of coastal trash

that they turn over.

Green harvest is the alternative to sugarcane pre-harvest burning that is practiced in

Florida. It is done by mechanical harvesting machines that have fans to clean the leaves

and tops from the stalks before cutting the stalks, leaving the biomass on the ground. If

only our farmers would practice “green harvesting”, they will no longer be contributing to

the greenhouse gas emissions problem that we all face.

More forums and activities that are open to the public would be helpful initiatives. Most

people nowadays especially the young are fond of making memories and posting on
social media. Through the use of social media, environmental helpful activity posters

can be posted there to tap more volunteers. If we can find a way to make environmental

helpful practices and activities “trendy”, it can make a huge difference.

We cannot stop producing sugar in the Negros Island because it has become a very

sustainable livelihood for so many years and sugar has always been a necessity.

However, the production of it causes harm to the environment such as: the loss of

natural habitats, intensive water usage, heavy use of chemicals needed, and air

pollution. These disadvantages will then lead to wildlife, soil, air and water degradation.

According the given report, better management practices is a potential sustainable

strategy. This includes changes to national and international policies, investment in

appropriate irrigation infrastructure, and stronger sustainability commitment from sugar

and food industries.

If laws regarding the use of clean energy are implemented, it will be a very big

adjustment to our economic culture regarding the agriculture industry, but it is a very

powerful move that will cause a big beneficial impact.

At first of course many will protest because farmers and sugar produces they will then

have to change the ways that they have practiced for their business, but small steps can

be initially taken for them to understand and see the beauty that it will give to our

environment later on. Some equipment to help reduce green gas emissions could be

costly but with research and development of equipment as well as fund and continuous

support of both local and national governments, I think we will all be successful to have

a greener future.
Some actions that can be done in helping the environment are utilizing renewable

energy resources, implementing energy management systems, enhancing energy

conservation and efficiency in transportation, and promoting energy efficient

technologies and practices throughout the supply chain.

Solar panels can be installed in our homes for us to use. As a renewable source of

power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and

mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and

ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from

energy production. Through the use of solar panels, we will not only be helpful to the

environment, but will also help us conserve energy and unnecessary expenses in terms

of electricity bills.

Solid waste also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through the generation of

methane from the anaerobic decay of waste in landfills, and the emission of nitrous

oxide from our solid waste combustion facilities. Because of this, we must also take

actions in helping to keep our environment clean. Segregation of waste is also a good

way to do this by separating biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste and as well

as waste that can be recycled and turned into a new product. Every step no matter how

small as long as it helps the environment is never a waste of time. It will not also only

help the environment, but will also help us discipline ourselves to be better citizens and

stewards of our planet.

appreciate more of what Negros Occidental has to offer as province be it

environmentally or economically.

Our planet provides us with everything we want and everything that we need to survive.

From the food we need for fuel, water we need for hydration, air and the oxygen we

breath, raw materials, literally everything we need comes from this one planet.

We must continue our effective strategies such as forums and environmental activities

and research other ways to improve them or to add more.

Wherever we go, we experience the effect of climate change everyday and we may not

be able to feel it, but everyday it gets worse. May we be Filipino, Korean or from other

nationalities, but we all live in the same Earth. We all live in the same on planet. This

planet is our home and we all must take part to do our responsibility in taking care of it.