BASICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE by Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz Climate change is such a huge issue that it requires strong, concerted, consistent and enduring action by governments. - Peter Garrett The Climate is changing and human activities contribute to this change. Our lifestyle has led to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. These GHGs trap heat from the sun, making the Earth warmer. Manifestations of warmer world include rising temperatures, sea level rise and increase in the frequency and intensity of weather events like droughts and amount of rainfall. What is Climate Change? The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines this as the “change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable periods.” What is the cause of Climate Change? Climate change is primarily caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat commonly known as the greenhouse effect. The “Greenhouse Effect” is the warming that happens when certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat. These gases let in sunlight but keep heat from escaping, like the glass walls of a greenhouse that is why it is called greenhouse effect. First, sunlight shines onto the Earth’s surface, where it is absorbed and then radiates back into the atmosphere as heat. In the atmosphere, “greenhouse” gases trap some of this heat, and the rest escapes into space. The more greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere, the more heat gets trapped. Through the burning of fossil fuels and other GHG emissions, humans are enhancing the greenhouse effect and warming Earth. Examples of these gases are: Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxide Human-made gases generated during industrial processes such as sulphur hexafluoride, hydro fluorocarbons and per fluorocarbons. What are the impacts of Climate Change? Climate Change has the impacts to a diverse range of sectors. Examples of these are: Agriculture. Too much or too little rain can lead to decrease in crop yield that can affect food supply Health. Increase in the number of cases for vector-borne disease Biodiversity. Certain species might not survive in areas where temperature is changing. This would lead to the change in the composition of species of a certain ecosystem Coastal. sea level rise would affect communities and business found in coastal areas. What are the strategies to address the impacts of climate change? Addressing climate change requires adaptation and mitigation strategies. Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. On the other hand, mitigation in the context of climate change pertains to human intervention that address anthropogenic or human-induced emissions by sources and removals by sink of all greenhouse gases, including ozone-depleting substances and their substitutes. What is the international community doing to solve climate change? Responding to the call for action, the international community crafted and signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which seeks to stabilize “greenhouse gas concentration in he atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieve within a time frame sufficient allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.” What is the Philippine Government doing to helping the global effort to fight climate change? The Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act 9729 otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009. This law created the Climate Change Commission. What is the Mandate of the Commission? The Commission is the sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate action plans of the government related to climate change. The Commission is also tasked to formulate the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change and the National Climate Change Action Plan. Other Philippine Government Efforts: National Framework Strategy on Climate Change A technical document formulated by the Commission, which is the basis for the action plan for the climate change planning to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change. National Climate Change Action Plan In line with the Commission’s vision of having acclimate risk-resilient and adaptive Philippines, the country’s roadmap towards this goal was formulated after multi-sectoral consultations and workshop. It identifies specific plan of actions to be implemented nationwide through other national agencies. The plan has been approved by the President. Climate Finance Group The Commission, together with the Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management, established this group to efficiently manage foreign funding for climate change programs. As individuals, what can we do to help fight climate change? As responsible citizens, we can also help reduce GHG emissions. Here are some tips for you: LIGHTS Change your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Turn off lights when not in use. Whenever possible, bring natural sunlight into your home. VEHICLES Regularly have your cars/vehicles serviced for efficient engine performance. For short distances, you can just walk or use bicycle. When going to your work or to some distant places, take the public transport. REFRIGERATORS Regularly clean your refrigerator. Don’t set the thermostat higher than necessary. ENERGY GUZZLERS Minimize or avoid the use of home appliances that eat up too much energy. Some of these are water heaters, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. USE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES If you have the means, have solar panels installed in your home to provide some of your electricity needs. Use electricity coming from renewable sources such as wind, geothermal or hydro if available in your place. PATRONIZED RECYCLED PRODUCTS Buy recycled products and actively help create a market for them. Before you buy an item, check if the product or its packaging is recyclable. REDUCE CONSUMPTION Buy less, use less and re-use as much as possible!
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:46:40 +0000
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