changes that we have to face

Few weeks ago, we were surprised by heavy rain brought by the monsoon. It flooded in some part of the country, and it rained almost everywhere. Classes were suspended in many places including Laguna. I, personally was surprised to know that almost 18 ‘bayans’ here in Laguna were flooded.

There was no typhoon then. I say that this is one of the ill-effects of climate change. It does not only happen in the Philippines but this is a global phenomenon. The world experience drastic change in climate that brings destruction. With this, nations as well as international organizations are alarmed.

A year ago, I wrote an article about the effects of climate change in the marine biodiversity. I focused on its effect in Coral Triangle—a rich marine biodiversity lies in the coastal areas of six countries including Philippines. Through research and interviews I made, I found out that Coral triangle is at risk due to several factors including coral bleaching caused by climate change.

Climate change has been a global issue of our time. Studies are made to predict its possible effects in our world. Now, we are experiencing it undoubtedly. In a seminar held last August 16, 2012 in our college, the speaker mentioned some of the calamities happening in other parts of the world like Flooding in Australia, landslide in Brazil, severe drought in US, etc.

Global warming is one of the results of climate change. It is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. According to wildlife.org, our atmospheric concentrations of CO2 are 3% higher that it was before. Rich countries contribute a lot to the emission of GHGs because of industrialization, and unfortunately, it’s the poor countries experience more of its impact.

 Continuous increase of GHGs in our atmosphere will result too much trouble. It may lead to flooding, drought, landslide, rise of sea level. Worst is that these four may happen in one geographic area simultaneously.

Effects of climate change will not only be felt through the calamities. It will also be felt in area of agriculture, economics, environment, tourism, etc. The speaker also mentioned that 4-5% of the GDP will be lost if a country fail to address this problem. He also mentioned that climate change is the new normal. We cannot just sit back and wait how this phenomenon will destroy us. We have to do something.

In agriculture, there will definitely be decrease in yield of crops, and it will result to increase in food prices. Then, there will be this problem of food security. There will also be salinization of fresh water, coral bleaching, decrease in the thickness of sea shells.

If the amount of carbon in our atmosphere continues to increase, it will sink in the ocean that will lead to acidity. Acidity may cause reefs to collapse. If it happens, there will be a large consequence for many species depending on the corals.

These problems are no longer far away from us. Most of these are now visible in some parts of the world. But as I said earlier, we cannot just sit back and wait. We have to act on it. We have to work for this not to destroy our world. We have to do our part in preserving our planet.

Our country made specific laws for our environment. There are 21 of them, but we cannot see it fully implemented. Some of these laws are regarded as best in the world. The problem is in the implementation of these laws. We, people, should be responsible in obeying these. And the government, on the other hand, should see to it that it is implemented. Laws are made to be implemented and obeyed not to be stacked in a file and forgot about it after.

Adaptation and mitigation are the two ways that will help us address climate change. These two backed up with the best laws for environment, and discipline of the people will surely take effect. It may help us provide solutions to the problems brought by climate change.

It is important that information about the effects of climate change, laws being implemented to address this problem, and call for action reach the general public. Not all information about this will be understood by all. The educated, yes, but how about those who are not? We have to laymanize it for them. This is where our role as development communicators comes. The problem cannot be solved by the elites, educated, and those who understand alone. It can be solved if and only if there is complete participation among all the key players of the society which includes every people.

But the most important is we have to remember who we really are in this world. In Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 2:15, God said, “…rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.”, “The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it.”. We are stewards to look after the earth. But what is happening nowadays? Climate change happens because of our irresponsible actions. It is us who devastated the world. We should have learned how to be good stewards. We do not own this world. This is something the Almighty lent us.

Now, let us give our best to address this problem that might destroy the world. We are responsible for this. We have to do something before it is too late. Let us get back to our duty, our duty to be the stewards of this beautiful world.