The obvious Filipino risk to natural disasters is due to its location. As a country located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In addition, the country is surrounded by large waters and overlooks the Pacific Ocean where 60% of the world's cyclones are made. One of the most devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines in 2013 is Haiyan Hurricane, or "Yolanda", which killed more than 10,000 people and destroyed property worth more than one trillion pesos and damaged various sectors. Other environmental problems facing the country include pollution, mining and illegal logging, deforestation, marine fishing, landslides, coastal erosion, wildlife blackouts, global warming and climate change.
Video Environmental issues in the Philippines
Polusi air
Although water resources are becoming scarce in some areas and seasons, the Philippines as a whole has more than enough surface and ground water. However, ignoring coherent environmental policies has led to contamination of 58% of groundwater in the Philippines. The main sources of pollution are domestic waste and unprocessed industries. Only one-third of the Philippine river system is considered suitable for public water supplies.
It is estimated that by 2025, water availability will be marginal in most major cities and in 8 of the 19 major river basins. In addition to severe health problems, water pollution also causes problems in the fishing industry and tourism. The national government recognizes this problem and has since 2004 been trying to introduce sustainable management of water resources development (see below).
Only 5% of the total population is connected to the sewer network. Most use a flush toilet connected to a septic tank. Because mud treatment and disposal facilities are rare, most of the waste is disposed of without treatment. According to the Asian Development Bank, the Pasig River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. In March 2008, Manila Water announced that a wastewater treatment plant would be built in Taguig. The first Filipino to build a wetland serving about 700 households completed in 2006 in the suburb of Bayawan City that has been used to resettle families living along the coast in informal settlements and have no access to clean water supply and sanitation facilities.
Maps Environmental issues in the Philippines
Deforestation
During the 20th century forest cover in the Philippines fell from 70 percent to 20 percent. In total, 46 species are endangered, and 4 species have been completely eradicated. 3.2 percent of the total rainforest has been abandoned. Based on the analysis of land use pattern maps and road maps, an estimated 9.8 million ha of forests disappeared in the Philippines from 1934 to 1988. Illegal logging takes place in the Philippines and increases flood damage in some areas.
According to intellectual Jessica Mathews, quick policy by the Philippine government has contributed to the high rate of deforestation:
The government regularly grants logging concessions for less than ten years. Since it takes 30-35 years for second growth forest to mature, lumberjacks have no incentive to replant. By adding errors, the average royalty encourages loggers to remove only the most valuable species. Nearly 40 percent of the harvested timber never leaves the forest but has been damaged by logging, decaying or burning on the spot. The surprising result of this and related policy is that of the 17 million hectares of closed forest that flourished early in this century, only 1.2 million are left today.
Air Pollution
Due to industrial waste and automobiles, Manila suffers from air pollution, affecting 98% of the population. Each year, air pollution causes more than 4,000 deaths. Ermita is the most polluted district in Manila due to open disposal sites and industrial waste. According to a report in 2003, the Pasig River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world with 150 tons of domestic waste and 75 tons of industrial waste disposed daily.
Climate Change
One of the most pressing environmental issues affecting the Philippines is climate change. As an island nation located in the Southeast Asia Pacific region, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Some of these impacts include increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, sea level rise, extreme rainfall, global warming, resource shortages, and environmental degradation. All of these impacts have simultaneously affected Philippine's agricultural, energy, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal ecosystems and are projected to continue to suffer destructive damage to Philippine economy and society.
The impact of global warming
Climate History
Due to its geographical, climatic, and topographical location, the Philippines ranks third in the World Risk Index for the highest disaster risk and exposure to natural disasters. Its 16 provinces, including Manila, Benguet and Batanes, are among the 50 most vulnerable places in Southeast Asia, with Manila being ranked 7th. Four cities in the Philippines, Manila, San Jose, Roxas and Cotaboato, are among the top 10 cities most vulnerable to sea level rise in the East Asia and Pacific region. The country is consistently at risk from severe natural hazards including cyclones, floods, landslides, and droughts. It lies in the region that experienced the highest typhoon rate in the world, averaging 20 typhoons per year, with about 7-9 actually making landfall. In 2009, the Philippines had the third highest number of casualties from natural disasters with the second highest casualties.
Climate change has and will continue to have a drastic effect on the climate of the Philippines. From 1951-2010, the Philippines saw an average temperature rise of 0.65 degrees Celsius, with fewer cold nights recorded and hotter days. Since the 1970s, the number of cyclones during the El NiÃÆ' Â ± o season has increased. The Philippines not only saw 0.15 meters of sea level rise since 1940, but also saw an increase in sea surface temperature of 0.6 to 1 degree Celsius since 1910, and 0.09 degrees C increase in sea temperature since 1950. Over a period of time from years 1990 to 2006, the Philippines experienced record-breaking weather events, including the strongest typhoons (wind velocity), the most devastating cyclones (damage), deadly storms (casualties), and typhoons with the highest recorded 24-hour rainfall.
Super Typhoon Haiyan
Main article: Haiyan Cyclone
At 4:40 am on November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan, also known as "Yolanda", made landfall in the Philippines in the municipality of Guigan. Category 5 cyclists continue to travel west, make landfall in some municipalities, and end up destroying much of the islands of Samar in the Philippines, Leyte, Cebu, and the Visaya islands. Tied to the strongest recorded tropical cyclone, the Haiyan Typhoon has wind speeds of over 300 km/h (nearly 190 mph) that sparked a massive storm surge that wreaked havoc in many parts of the country. Leaving more than 6,300 people dead, 28,688 wounded, and 1,062 missing, Haiyan Hurricane is the deadliest recorded storm in the Philippines. More than 16 million people are affected by storms, suffering storm surges, flash floods, landslides, and extreme winds and torrential rains, destroying homes, and many are destroyed. Haiyan cyclone is devastating more than 1.1 million homes across the country and making more than 4.1 million people displaced. According to NDRRMC, the storm cost the Philippines about 3.64 billion US dollars.
Future Projection
Future projections for the current trajectory of climate change predict that global warming is likely to exceed 3degrees Celsius, potentially 4degrees, by 2060. Particularly in the Philippines, average temperatures are "almost certain" to see an increase of 1.8 to 2.2 degrees Celsius. This increase in temperature will determine the local climate and cause wet and dryer seasons to become wetter and drier. Most parts of the Philippines will experience a decrease in rainfall from March to May, while Luzon and Visayas will see a high increase in rainfall. There will also be an increase: the number of days exceeding 35 degrees C; which has rainfall less than 2.5 mm; and which has more than 300mm rainfall. In addition, climate change will continue to increase the intensity of typhoons and tropical storms. The sea surface around the Philippines is projected to increase by 0.48 to 0.65 meters by 2100, which exceeds the global average for sea level rise. Combined with rising sea levels, this stratification into seasons and more extreme climates increases the frequency and severity of storm surges, floods, landslides, and droughts. This exacerbates risks to agriculture, energy, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal ecosystems.
Vulnerability of different sectors
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the largest sectors in the Philippines and will continue to be harmed by the impacts of climate change. The agricultural sector employs 35% of the working population and generates 13% of the country's GDP in 2009. The two most important crops, rice and maize, accounted for 67% of the cultivated land and stood to see reduced yields of heat and water. emphasize. Rice, wheat, and corn crops are expected to see a 10% decrease in yield for every 1 degree C increase over 30dC average annual temperature. Increased extreme weather events will adversely affect agriculture. Typhoons (high winds) and heavy rain contribute to the destruction of crops, reduced soil fertility, changes in agricultural productivity through severe flooding, increased runoff, and soil erosion. Droughts and reduced rainfall lead to increased pests that damage crops and the increasing need for irrigation. Rising sea levels increase the salinity that causes the loss of fertile soil and irrigation water. All of these factors contribute to higher food prices and increased import demand, which harm the general economy and the livelihoods of individuals. From 2006 to 2013, the Philippines experienced a total of 75 disasters that cost the agricultural sector $ 3.8 billion in damages and losses. Haiyan cyclone itself weighed on the Philippine agricultural sector about US $ 724 million after causing 1.1 million tons of crop losses and destroying 600,000 ha of agricultural land. The agricultural sector is expected to see an estimated annual GDP loss of 2.2% by 2100 due to climate impacts on agriculture.
Agricultural production and civil conflict:
In the Philippines, there is a correlation between rainfall and civil conflict, and manifests through agricultural production. Increased rainfall during the rainy season in the Philippines proves to be hazardous to agriculture because it causes flooding and/or logging. This above-average rainfall is associated with "more conflict-related incidents and casualties". Rainfall has a negative effect on rice which is an important crop that the majority of countries depend on food sources and jobs. Poor rice crops can have a major impact on the welfare of the poor Filipino people and cause great insult to the government and more support for rebel groups. Climate change is expected to strengthen seasonal rainfall variations in the Philippines and exacerbate ongoing civil conflict in the country.
Gender disparity among farmers:
Small farmers in the Philippines are expected to be the most vulnerable and affected by climate change in the region. However, there are differences in how men and women experience this impact and often lead to differences in farming patterns and coping strategies. Some of the problems caused by extreme climatic events in agrarian areas vulnerable to civil disputes that disproportionately affect women include loss of customary land rights, forced migration, increased discrimination, resource poverty and food insecurity. The effect that the combination of severe climatic events and civil conflict on Filipino women is further exacerbated by discriminatory policies, beliefs and practices, and limited access to resources. For example, climate change is concerned to increase civil conflict in the Mindinao region that increases the number of victims and deaths of youth in the area. It effectively widows the women who marry these men and leave them alone to care for them and their children, even when society and government make it difficult for single mothers to succeed. Women are often degraded into caregivers of children who increase the burden and pressure placed on them and keep them out of confined areas of control
Energy
Climate change simultaneously can reduce the Philippines' energy supply and increase its energy demand. Increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events will reduce the production of hydroelectric power, which accounts for 20% of the country's energy supply, as well as causing widespread damage to infrastructure and energy services. There will be more average power outages in addition to an increase in power demand, particularly cooling.
Water
Several factors of climate change have an impact on water availability in the Philippines. The increasing number of intense droughts reduces water levels and river flows thus creating water shortages. Floods and landslides caused by extreme rainfall degrade the health of watersheds and water quality by increasing runoff and erosion which increases sedimentation in reservoirs. Many freshwater coastal aquifers have seen sea water intrusions that reduce the amount of fresh water available to use. About 25% of coastal cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are affected by this and the problem is expected to deteriorate with sea level rise.
Infrastructure
Rising sea levels, heavy rains and floods, and strong cyclones pose major risks to Philippine infrastructure. 45% of Filipino urban residents live in informal settlements with already weak infrastructure and are particularly vulnerable to flooding and typhoons. A giant storm will wreak havoc in this informal settlement and cause the death and displacement of millions of people inhabiting 25 different coastal cities. This natural disaster will also cause millions of dollars in damage to urban infrastructure such as bridges and roads. In 2009, Tropical Storm Ketsana spent $ 33 million to repair damaged roads and bridges.
Risk to "Double Exposure"
Major cities in the Philippines such as Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, and Davao City see increased risks from both climate change and globalization. For example, in addition to being one of the most vulnerable cities in the world for climate change because of its geographic location, Manila has also been shaped by globalization and adheres to many of the neoliberal urban tenants, including "a strong focus on private sector led development, attracting global capital, market-oriented and decentralized ". These cities face challenges to their own climate resilience due to the dual exposure to climate change and globalization, where many of the cities are at greatest risk to climatic events in addition to having a large percentage of the population living in informal settlements with weak infrastructure. Four million people, or about a third of Manila's population, live in informal settlements that place them at higher risk and danger from tropical storms and floods, and they often have fewer resources available to recover from damage caused by hazards environment. Several factors and governments in the history of the Philippines have contributed to a great focus on urban development and its relationship to the "global system of material production and consumption." The Spanish colonial government from the 1500s to 1898, the annexation of America from 1898 to 1946, the Japanese occupation and bombings during the War World II, Ferdinand Marcos's authoritarian regime from 1965 to 1986, and many more contributed to urban development that focused on globalization, market-oriented development, privatization, and decentralization.
Human Health
Climate change, heavy rain, and rising temperatures are associated with increased vector transmission and waterborne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and diarrhea (whom). Heavy rain and increased temperatures cause increased moisture that increases the likelihood of mosquito breeding and survival. Increased natural disasters not only directly contribute to the loss of human life, but also indirectly through food insecurity and destruction of health services.
Coastal and Fishery Ecosystems
Climate change and global warming and increasing amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere have contributed to ocean warming and ocean acidification. The oceans have been acting as carbon sinks for the Earth for thousands of years and are currently slowing down the rate of global warming through carbon sequestration. These come at a cost but as the oceans become more and more acidic as they sequester more carbon dioxide. Ocean acidification has dire consequences for causing coral bleaching and ultimately leading to the collapse of coral reefs (usaid). Rising sea levels lead to an increase in salinity that could have a devastating impact on the country's vast mangrove forest system. Both coral reefs and mangroves help reduce coastal erosion and support water quality. This erosion from the loss of coral reefs and mangroves increases the likelihood of coastal flooding and soil loss. Coral reefs and mangroves also act as a feeding and spawning venue for many fish species that depend heavily on fishermen to survive. More than 60% of coastal populations rely on marine resources such as coral reefs or mangroves for their contribution to fisheries, tourism and storm protection.
Government Policy
Sustainable Development
Recognizing the need to address environmental concerns and the need to sustain development and growth, the Philippines emerges with the Sustainable Development Strategy. Nations for Sustainable Development Strategies include assimilating environmental considerations in administration, pricing of natural resources, conserving biodiversity, rehabilitating ecosystems, controlling population growth and human resource development, promoting growth in rural areas, promoting environmental education, strengthening citizens. 'Participation, and promoting small to medium enterprises and sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. One of the initiatives signed in the strategy section is the 1992 Earth Summit.
After signing the 1992 Earth Summit, the Philippine government is constantly seeking initiatives to improve the country's environmental aspects.
Environmental protection
Currently, the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been busy tracking illegal loggers and spearheading the project to maintain the quality of many of the remaining unpolluted rivers.
See also
- Pasig River Contamination
- The anti-nuclear movement in the Philippines
- Green politics in the Philippines
- Ekoregion in the Philippines
- List of protected areas in the Philippines
Species:
- Philippines Wildlife
- List of endangered species in the Philippines
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress Country Studies website http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/.
Further reading
- Cavanagh, John; Broad, Robin (1994). Heaven's looting: the struggle for environment in the Philippines . Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-08921-9.
- Magno, Francisco A. (1993). "Philippines Growth of Environmental Conservation". Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies . 9 (1). ISSNÃ, 2012-080X
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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