Global Warming affects countries worldwide, but what about a tropical country

such as the Philippines? Find out what could happen and what has happened.
Global Warming is one of the most talked and campaigned about issues of the 21st century. We all
know that it is an undeniable fact that while the world population is increasing, the pollution is also
increasing in a larger ratio. Many countries successfully implemented “Green” policies, to protect our
environment and our future. These policies are increasingly being implemented in Central Europe in
countries such as Germany. Recycling garbage, plastic, and even old appliances belongs to the
strict regimen. Other policies such as fines imposed on littering, burning of waste or leaves, and
even the encouragement of collective transportation have been imposed.
Unfortunately, the Philippines cannot brag about any environmental policies in any way. It is indeed
true that a Waste Management Act has been implemented, yet if we look at our everyday lives; the
sad reality comes crushing down on us Filipinos. We barely care for our environment. We see
wrappers all over what should have been a green environment. We see people burning their
garbage in their homes and on the streets. We even love to shower ourselves with the abundance of
fresh water, which could have been saved. All of these things do not really imply that
the Philippines is really affected by global warming (which it is in fact, but more of that later), rather it
seems that Philippines plays a big role as a contributor in global warming.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/global-warming-in-the-philippines/#ixzz1BfH8L0xo

Let us analyze the facts of outside causes of global warming. Many people believe (which is also
true) that so called greenhouse gases that emit CO₂ into the atmosphere which causes the rays of
the sun to be kept within the earth atmosphere for a longer time, since it bounces back. This causes
an increase of temperature, which in turn causes more natural catastrophes. Although this is the
main cause of global warming, there is yet another cause, which has something to do with the cycle
of our Sun. Every ten to twelve years, the sun is in its peak and vice versa. The peak is the solar
maximum, which means that this is when the sun is the hottest and emits more solar storms than
ever. This period should be the solar maximum of the sun, since the last was in the 90s. This is also
an important factor that contributes to global warming.
 Let us look into what the Philippines are contributing in positive and negative ways; Our
National Capital Region is clearly overpopulated and packed with vehicles. As we know, the air
pollution problem is very much present in Metro Manila and the quality of our motor vehicles is far
inferior than to those in first world countries. Our cars and motorcycles emit far more CO₂ than the
refined ones abroad, which adds up to the worlds total in a significant way. Even though we produce
far less CO₂ than USA or China, we have to acknowledge that our country is an archipelago and a
developing country, and putting those two factors together, our greenhouse gas emissions do make
a difference.
Another problem we are facing in the Philippines is not only corruption but the lack of strict
implementation of the Republic Acts concerning the environment, such as RA 7586 a.k.a. NIPAS,
the Waste Management Act, so on and so forth. The waste management act stated that by 2007,
every City should have a waste facility, which has not been established so far in Dumaguete City.
The recycling and collecting of garbage is also very problematic in the Philippines.
Finally we should ask ourselves the question if global warming is really that bad. And for the most it
does not seem so, but let me remind you;
• It is because of global warming, that our Summers are getting hotter and our so-called winters are
becoming more monsoon-like
• It is because of global warming that Dengue fever is spreading much farther and faster around the
country due to increased humidity
• It is because of global warming that our shores will soon move closer by a meter or more each year
(melting of the icecaps)
• It is because of global warming that more and more floods are affecting the Philippine islands and
surrounding regions
• It is because of global warming that people hunger because their crops were destroyed in natural
disasters such as storms, floods, or heat/dryness
The Philippines could even cease to exist because of global warming, because once the sea level
has risen a couple of meters, even our highest mountains may not be high enough anymore to
sustain a whole country.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/global-warming-in-the-philippines/#ixzz1BfHW4IXO

Volcano's Eruption in Philippines May Counteract Global Warming - 6/30/91

A global warming trend that began in the 1980's and has continued into 1991 could be
offset over the next few years by atmospheric cooling caused by the eruption this
month of the Mount Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines, scientists say.
The major factor at work in the climatic effect is not the familiar dust cloud, but a
chemical reaction. Volcanic eruptions spew out vast quantities of sulfur dioxide gas that
later combine with water to form tiny supercooled droplets.
The droplets constitute a long-lasting global haze that reflects and scatters sunlight,
causing the earth to cool. This last occurred in 1982, when haze from the eruption of El
Chichon volcano in Mexico depressed global temperatures for about four years before a
warming trend that began around 1980 resumed in late 1986. Decline Seen for Several
Years
Experts believe that the haze it is producing could lower the average global
temperature by more than half a degree Fahrenheit for three or four years, countering
the global warming. A number of scientists expect the warming of the last few years to
resume after the mid-1990's, once the haze disperses.

Global warming hits the Philippines, part 2

Man-made warming is displacing and killing more Filipinos these days. From drowning to
cold-related disease infections, global warming is indeed terrible. Some recent news reports
here.

(1) Baguio temperature could plunge to record low

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 01/04/2011 10:17 PM | Updated as of 01/05/2011 12:18 AM

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The temperature in Baguio City dropped from 10 to 9.8
degrees Celsius on Tuesday....

The coldest temperature in the nation’s summer capital was recorded at 6.3 degrees
Celsius on January 18, 1961. PAGASA said it is possible that the same temperature will be
recorded this year.

While temperature readings continued to drop, the number of people in the city who have
fallen ill is rising.

Long lines of patients suffering from colds, cough, and fever have formed at the Baguio
General Hospital's out-patient ward....

(picture of frost-cabbages in Baguio City

from Manila Bulletin)

2) PAGASA: Baguio temperature may drop to 9 degrees Celsius

gmanews.tv 01/05/2011 | 09:44 AM

Saying the weather will become even colder in the coming days, state weather forecasters
hinted on Wednesday that the temperature in Baguio City, the country's summer capital,
might drop to 9 degrees Celsius.

Expect a nine-degree Centigrade weather in Baguio City. However, we are worried with the
agriculture there. Frost may affect the vegetable industry there.

(3) PAGASA sees stormy 1st quarter of 2011

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 01/04/2011 4:28 PM | Updated as of 01/04/2011 4:28 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday said it will be a very rainy first
quarter of 2011 in the Philippines due to the combined effects of the La Niña phenomenon
and global warming.

In an interview on ANC, PAGASA officer-in-charge Graciano Yumul revealed only 11

storms hit the Philippines last year, way below the average of 20 to 22 storms a year.

Because of this, Filipinos can expect more and even stronger typhoons this year especially
during the peak of the La Niña season from January to March.

(4) Floods displace 92,000 families

Manila Times, Friday, 07 January 2011 00:00

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter
A total of 26 persons have been confirmed dead and over 92,000 families or almost half a
million people have been affected by continuous heavy rains in seven regions of the
country, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC).

Lashed by heavy rains since December 29, 2010, were Regions IV-B, V, VII, VIII, X, XI,
Caraga and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), covering the provinces
of Palawan, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor,
Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Wesstern Samar, Leyte, Lanao del Norte, Compostela
Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur,
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Maguindanao.

The tally of the dead does not include three children who died from a measles outbreak that
hit two towns in Mindanao.

The measles epidemic that hit Talaingod and Kapalong towns in Davao del Norte province
came as the region reeled from rain-induced flooding and landslides.

Over 30 persons were also hospitalized because of the disease and eight of them were
confirmed to have contracted measles, according to Mayor Basilio Libayao of upland
Talaingod town.

(5) Chills can kill – doctors

Cold and feasting trigger strokes, heart attacks
Manila Bulletin, By JENNY F. MANONGDOJanuary 6, 2011, 5:47pm

MANILA, Philippines – Four people taken to the Manila Doctors Hospital on UN Ave.,
Ermita, last Tuesday night were found to have suffered strokes and heart attacks, as a
result of the nighttime chill and uncontrolled eating during the holidays.

“Cold temperature causes blood vessel constriction for heart and brain leading to high blood
pressure and chest pain with post-holiday effect of over-indulgence, weight gain, high blood
pressure, high blood sugar, stress, smoking, alcohol, drinking, and lack of exercise,” said
Dr. Anthony Leachon.

(6) PAGASA: Luzon’s turn next week for rainy days

By Kristine L. Alave, Inquirer Bureaus

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:37:00 01/07/2011

MANILA, Philippines—After Mindanao and the Visayas, Luzon is expected to experience

rains but not as heavy and destructive as in previous days, the weather agency said on
Thursday....

Heavy rains are currently experienced in the Bicol region and the Samar-Leyte area, forcing
thousands of people to leave their houses in mountainous and low-lying areas for fear of
flash floods and landslides.
------

The warming fanatics say "extended drought and lack of rains is due to man-made
warming." Then they add, "extended rains and more cold front is also due to man-made
warming." Thus there should be more carbon taxes, more climate loans, more global
climate junkets. Yeah, right.

1) climate change is a real problem that affects all of us and is critical in the short and long run, as
we’ve just witnessed; 2) clogging our rivers and canals with waste products that aggravate flooding is
our own doing and NOT an act of God; 3) denuding our forests causes mud-slides that causes death
as we’ve experienced once again…and again…and again;

Kiko Matching identifies some of the reforms the government should implement to minimize the
impact of climate change

Now it is imminent, the effects of Climate change is already affecting people’s daily lives… the
Government should impose stricter policies to help prevent continued denudation of the forests,
initiate better garbage collection and disposal thru the local governments as well as have mass
cleaning and re-forestation projects. The government should be busy on helping the nation instead of
being more of a liability as what many Filipinos perceived them to be.

goIloilo.com fears that several cities in the country would be uninhabitable because of climate change

I’m afraid that this may be a permanent and ever-worsening affect of climate change which may make
large parts of the Philippines uninhabitable. Low-lying river front cities such as Manila and Iloilo (and
many others) may be especially hard hit.

Because of the twin flooding disasters, Better Philippines notes that there is an increased public
awareness about the dangers of global warming:

If there’s one good thing to come out of the ordeal caused by tropical storm Ondoy it would probably
be an increase in awareness among Filipinos of the dangers of climate change and global warming. It
would really be such a shame if in spite of what has already happened Filipinos would continue to be
ignorant or worse unmindful of the fact that the environment is changing.

It should be clear by now that a lot of adjustments have to be made not only by the government but
by ordinary citizens as well to ensure that a similar calamity of this magnitude would not happen
again.

Embrace life observes that many people are now beginning to understand the need toprepare for
weather disasters:

In life, there is always a lesson learned after the storm. Now, the people are monitoring the weather
condition. Some evacuated already in a higher grounds…We can not prevent natural calamities but we
can do something to survive. Brace for stronger and heavy rainfall in the future due to climate change
but let us all prepare ourselves to face such emergency.

Control Yourself echoes a similar point:

This isn’t just about the need for relief, this is also about climate change…The past few days have
been really eye-opening for me. In the end, it’s not about whether or not these disasters happen. It’s
about doing something to prevent them from happening, or at least slowing down the inevitable.

Slingshot Journals appeals for an efficient use of disaster funds:

The wrath of Ondoy is a message (a big, hurtful, devastating message) that we Filipinos should take
into heart. It is a message to our leaders: that climate change and environmental protection is now
and will be the most pressing concern in the near future; that budgets meant for disasters and MEANT
to be spent in disasters; that they should moderate their greed and spend the people's money in
matters of their welfare and safety.

It is also a message to our countrymen: that it is about time that we change our current ways of life
and give a little to preserve nature; that we as Filipinos start to unite and be as one family in helping
each other and be with one another.

Bloggers Kapihan is participating in the October 15 Blog Action Day on climate change

We cannot be apathetic or cynical. We as a people have the solemn duty to accept the reality of
climate change, to study it, and to take a stand.

Bloggers Kapihan thus calls on Filipino bloggers to take time out on Oct. 15 to post your thoughts and
aspirations, frustrations and hopes, photos, videos and stories, on climate change and how it affects
our family, community, country and the globe, and how we wish to make things better