Global Warming in the Philippines

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.

Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, are the third largest emitters of carbon among developing countries. 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.

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 most parts of the country. 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.