Climate scientist one of 2013 oustanding women in nation's service

MANILA, Philippines - An Ateneo climate scientist and one of 2013 outstanding women in the nation's service on Tuesday said Filipinos need to be more aware of climate change in the wake of typhoon Yolanda.

"Yolanda is already an impact of climate change as global warming would increase the probability of more intense trpical cylcones," said Gemma Nerisma, a climate science professor working with the Manila Observatory of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Nerisma is among nine women chosen by the TOWNS Foundation for this year's Outstanding Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS) award. The winnners were presented to the public in Makati City Tuesday.

TOWNS Foundation Inc. is a national organization of women who by their common shared activities help transform the lives of Filipinos. The TOWNS awards are given every three years following a year-long nationwide search. Since its inception in 1974, TOWNS has cited 149 women.

Nerisma, who also teaches atmospheric science at the Ateneo, was awarded for her work in atmospheric science and for helping contribute to the national understanding of climate change. Nerisma h been working to refine climate models of the effects and risks to communities brought about by climate change. Her work is used by policymakers and national development planners in agriculture, oceanography, geological sciences and foresry in designing and implementing effective climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs. Last year, she was awarded as outstanding young scientist in atmospheric science by the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Education, especially on climate change, would help Filipinos deal more effectively with supertyphoons like Yolanda.

"Knowledge is always something very powerful as it would guide our decisions. In the case of yolanda, we are already studying the characteristics of this storm. we are now looking at historical records as well as projections of climate changes," she said.

"If we keep ourselves stronger and decrease our vulnerability, that is the thing that we can do. How do we decrease our vulnerability? We always say that a disaster happens when people are exposed and we are weak and vulnerable. How can we make ourselves not weak and vulnerable? It is really a development issue. It is about poverty. It is about the way we build our infrastructure, our early warning system, our governance and the way we protect our environment," she added.

Those who also recieved this year's TOWNS award are Noraida Adang Abdullah Karim (Social Work), Darlene Berberabe (Government Service) Ani Karina Brown (Sports), Karen Davila (Broadcast Journalism), Rachelle Gerodias (Performing Arts), Eleanor Pinugu (Social Enterprise/Education), Ma. Amihan Ramolete (Theatre Arts) and Maricor Soriano (Applied Physics).