Hot off the press: Changing Philippine Climate
- Written by Regina Mae C. Ongkiko
- Published in News
Climate change has been a hot topic for years now. Its impacts on civilizations have been dramatic and vivid. As generations come and go, more and more factors contribute to climate change. Now, human activity influences it as well. Its possible impacts to society have made our government, specifically the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Climate Change Commission, concerned over the past years.
One of the initiatives of DOST is The Balik Scientist Program (BSP), which aims to attract foreign-based Filipino researchers to return to our country and share their expertise on topics related to national development. Four Balik-Scientists organized a workshop sponsored by DOST and hosted by UPLB. The workshop then paved the way for a team of experts from various prestigious organizations to come together to consolidate information about climate change and its major impacts.
Led by NASA Senior Scientist Josefino C. Comiso, USDA/NIFA Program Leader Catalino A. Blanche, Retired Technology Development Leader of Georgia Pacific Terry I. Sangumba, UPLB Professor Felino P. Lansigan, and our very own Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, ten authors converged to assure that the message is conveyed to the public.
From the ten authors, six were from UPLB: Professor Nestor T. Baguinon, Assistant Professor Jesusita O. Coladilla, Lecturer Rafael D. Guerrero III, College of Forestry and Natural Resources Dean Juan M. Pulhin, School of Environmental Science and Management Dean Leonardo M. Florece and our very own Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz. Four high-profile experts also joined the team. These were Roger C. Birosel, the Secretary-General of Earth Savers Movement, Rodel D. Lasco, Senior Scientist at the World Agrofrestry Centre and also Scientific Director of The OML Center, Rosa T. Perez, Senior Research Fellow at the Manila Observatory, and Lourdes V. Tibig, an Independent Climate Change Consultant and also a member of the National Panel of Technical Experts,Climate Change Commission.
As a result, a book was published through the University of the Philippines Press. “Changing Philippine Climate: Impacts on Agriculture and Natural Resources” contains comprehensive details about the changes in climate and the influence on the country’s environment, natural resources, agriculture, ecosystem, biodiversity, weather, and the quality of life of its inhabitants. Aside from these, risk management, resilience, and strategies for mitigation and effective adaptation especially in agriculture, forestry, grassland, livestock, fisheries, and health are also discussed.
Hopefully, this book will pave the way towards more collaboration related to battling the negative impacts of climate change.
