What is it all About? (A bit of down to earth science) How Bad will it Be?

(Impacts and vulnerability)

What Can we Do about it?

(Solutions)

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat from the sun to keep the Earth warm.

Increasing levels of GHGs in the atmosphere make for a warmer world leading to abrupt changes in climate!

Methane Carbon Dioxide

Nitrous Oxide

CO2

CH4

NO2 SF6

H2O
Water vapor

HFCs
PFCs

CO2 N2O CO2 CO2 HFCs N2O CO2 CH4 CH4 HFCs N O PFCs SF6CO2 CH 2 CO2 4 CH4 CO2 CO2 SF6CO2 CO2CO SF6
2

The Greenhouse Effect

1
4

Human-made greenhouse gases.

GHG Sources in Phil.

(9,198 kt CO2)

(50,038 kt CO2)

TOTAL: 103,085 kt CO2

Source: 1994 Philippine GHG Inventory
(33,137 kt CO2) (10,711 kt CO2)

Whats it all about? To summarize

World has gotten warmer. It will continue to get hotter in this century and beyond.
We are causing this dangerous trend.

 What is it all About? (A bit of down to earth science) How Bad will it Be?

(Impacts and vulnerability)

What Can we Do about it?

(Solutions)

More intense and longer droughts since 1970 particularly in the tropics and subtropics due to increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation.

There is observational evidence of increase intensity of tropical cyclone activity in the North Atlantic since 1970 correlated with the increase in sea surface temperature.

Direct Observations of Recent Climate Change

Cold days, cold nights and frost have become less frequent. While hot days, hot nights, and heat waves have become more frequent.

Source: IPCC 4th Assessment Report: Summary for Policy-makers

Regional Effects of CC in Asia

Agriculture Many crops grown in Asia are very sensitive to soil moisture and temperature, and global warming may upset a delicate balance and reduce crop yields here.

Across Society
Vulnerable sectors
Agriculture Freshwater Health Biodiversity Forests
ENSO drought events and rice

1 oC increase leads to 15% decrease in rice yield

From: www.sciencentral.com: Cassman, IRRI, National Academy of Sciences

What can/should we do?

Mitigation
- Actions which are adopted to reduce the effects of anthropogenic activities on the global climate. Energy

Waste

Adaptation
- Adjustments in practices, processes, or structures of systems to projected
changes of climate

Industry Forestry

Agriculture
MCLE International Law Implications of Climate Change, 23 March 2007

Mitigation Measures and Strategies

Energy and Transport: Renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, tide, hydro, etc.) Energy efficiency, conservation Alternative fuels (e.g. biofuel) Public and alternative transport, traffic management Waste Solid waste and wastewater management Methane capture Land use and forestry Reforestation, afforestation Urban land use planning Agriculture Agriculture residue management Animal waste management

Adaptation Measures
Geo-hazard mapping: identify areas that are most vulnerable to landslides and forewarn communities Completed geo-hazard mapping of 27 provinces located in eastern Seaboard (most vulnerable to typhoons)
Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

In the Philippines

Other Government Programs

Bio-fuels Program Ethanol Jethropa (Initial 375,000 Ha allocated for production CoCo-Diesel Compressed Natural Gas
Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

In the Philippines

R.A. No. 9637: BIOFUEL ACT

Mandatory mixing in the following amount: 1% biodiesel in Petrodiesel and 5% ethanol in gasoline for first 4 years 2% biodiesel in Petrodiesel and 10% ethanol in gasoline after 4 years
Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

In the Philippines

Whenever possible, walk or bike. Use mass transit Promote and use alternative cleaner fuels - biodiesel, bioethanol Support renewable energy solar, wind, biomass Use energy efficient appliances

Some offices switch off aircons and light during lunch break and one hour before end of office hours

 Promote and organize carpools in your neighborhood, office, schools Use mass transit Walk or bike

Do not burn your waste including agricultural waste Support reuse and recycling programs

Protect remaining forest resources

Consume responsibly

What can/should we do? In summary

Change our carbon-based way of working and living Manage (conserve, optimize) our food and water and energy supplies Strengthen the role of local governments in disaster management and in environmental protection and management Move people out of harms way

Serve as Channels of Information by sharing the behavioral concept of Carbon reduction

and Channels of Inspiration by Personally being on the Low Carbon Diet in the School, at Home, in the Office, in the Car and Anywhere at Anytime

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

we should not wait..

we cannot wait.. we must not wait

Al Gore

Maraming Salamat Po!