Heat index, global warming, El Niño, and reclamation

Summer months, April and May, are known here in our country as the hottest months. In the past, there were no classes during these months, hence, students and teachers could choose where to protect themselves from the extreme heat.

Not this time. Classes are still ongoing.

Amidst reports of many students and teachers getting sick from the extreme hot temperature and high heat index, many schools, especially public schools, with congested classrooms and inadequate ventilation, are now considering alternatives to actual classes.

Suggestions about not conducting classes or school sports tournaments during the hot months of April and May and returning to the previous June-March school calendar are now being seriously considered.

PAGASA warns that the extreme heat index, now above 40°C, may rise to even 50°C and has alerted the public that a heat index from 42°C to 51°C, is classified as “danger,” with heat cramps and heat exhaustion likely, with heat stroke probable with continued exposure.

Related to the extreme heat, a grassfire was reported in Alicia, Bohol last Tuesday.

The extreme heat has also been linked to reduced water level, affecting water supply to residents.

Water bodies, rivers, seas and oceans are also experiencing the effects of extreme heat affecting marine life and hence, fish supply as well as livelihood of those dependent on fishing.

We sincerely hope that everyone experiencing the inconvenience and harm caused by the extreme hot temperatures now will realize and recognize how much more devastating global warming can be and hence, should urgently unite together soonest to avert/mitigate any further increase in local and global temperatures!

Many still shrug and ignore alerts about global warming, however.

The skeptics and unbelievers, including those in politics/business, who favor reclamation projects which affect water bodies and marine life, may say that “it is still 2023 anyway- far from the 2030 deadline set for global warming.”

Best they heed this urgent alert that El Niño, which will heat even more the already heat -affected ocean and water bodies, is fast approaching in the coming months of 2023!

A recent BBC report noted:

“Warmer oceans can kill off marine life, lead to more extreme weather and raise sea levels. They are also less efficient at absorbing planet-warming greenhouse gases.

The average surface temperature of the world’s seas (which) has increased by around 0.9C compared to preindustrial levels, with 0.6C coming in the last 40 years alone” may seem small but this has “the following significant real-world consequences

- loss of species: more frequent and intense marine heatwaves lead to mass mortality of sea life, particularly damaging for coral reefs.

- More extreme weather: increased heat in the upper ocean surface means hurricanes and cyclones can pick up more energy, and can become more intense and longer-lasting.

- Sea-level rise: warmer waters take up more space - known as thermal expansion - and can greatly accelerate the melting of glaciers, which raises global sea levels, increasing risks of coastal flooding, and

- Less ability to absorb CO2: the oceans currently take up about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Warmer waters have less ability to absorb CO2. If the oceans take up less CO2 in future, more would accumulate in the atmosphere - further warming the air and oceans.”

Can you imagine how much more damage reclamation projects will bring to people, water bodies and marine life if added to the present extreme heat, global warming and the forthcoming El Niño?

Food for thought for pro-reclamation projects, especially those in government and business: You may think you have a better way?

This reflection from Vernon McGee : “This is God’s universe, and God does things his way. You may have a better way, but you don’t have a universe.”