‘Philippines must prepare for worsening effects of climate change’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines must prepare for the worsening effects of climate change, such as sea level rise and hotter weather already affecting the country, according to Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In an interview with “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal TV’s One News last Tuesday night, Solidum stressed that global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius has dire effects on one of the most at-risk countries from the climate crisis.

“Here in the Philippines, climate change is something that we need to prepare for. Roads and bridges below one meter and other airports should be planned out to be inland. There are communities that might be flooded. That level of temperature has a significant effect on our sea level and, of course, the hot weather, which is really hot,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

The DOST chief noted that there is a looming El Niño phenomenon, characterized by below-average rainfall that may last for months and could spell trouble for agriculture, drinking water and hydroelectric power plants that generate electricity for parts of the country.

“During El Niño, when there is not much water, our agri crops could be affected, the water supply could diminish and the reservoirs are not filled. And energy, hydropower will be affected,” he said.

Solidum urged the public to conserve water even before the onset of El Niño to be prepared for its adverse effects.

“Overall, there will be decrease in rainfall in various parts of the Philippines. We should conserve water, hopefully, conserve electricity because scarcity in water affects our beverage and power,” he added.

Solidum said that before El Niño arrives, the country may still expect stronger rains on its western side due to the southwest monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier noted that stronger monsoon rains and tropical cyclones tend to develop before an El Niño episode.

“Sometimes, the southwest monsoon is so strong during an El Niño event. Warm air and moist air from Indian Ocean meet, and where they meet, that’s where heavy rain occurs,” Solidum explained.

In terms of Typhoon Betty, the DOST chief defended PAGASA’s forecasts and said its predictions were accurate even if rains were not felt in Metro Manila.

He urged local government units (LGUs) to keep updated on weather forecasts, especially in areas where farmers supposedly conducted early harvest to prepare for the effects of the cyclone.

“Perhaps, LGUs should study the forecast rainfall that will change; what a tropical cyclone will bring could change,” he said.