The worldwide recognition of the effects of climate change is a relief to mankind. We are glad that world leaders found occasion to divert their attention from their individual country's concerns to meet in Paris, France to talk about how to cope with the drastic environmental developments causing devastations throughout the earth. Their concern and hopefully their collective action will benefit all of us earthlings.
I am not sure if in their conference, those heads of states discussed about an asteroid that, in the last few years, the community of scientists has been focusing on. The spatial rock is still very far away that scientists are still scrambling to gather enough data about it. If we remember, the first time that modern technology forecast precisely the trajectory of an asteroid was in 2008. They calculated that TC3, the asteroid, would explode inside the earth's atmosphere somewhere in Sudan. Indeed, as they computed, it burst some 35 miles above Sudan's air space.
The asteroid I am talking about is called MN4. Per calculations, it is so large that if, God forbid, it collides with earth, it can punch through our planet with a hole as wide as Texas and cause tsunamis for about 6 months. What is heartwarming is that the latest calculations by our learned brothers put the asteroid as flying by our planet sometime in 2029. It is not going to hit earth although the numerologists among us have fear on their lips as they mention April 13, a Friday, in that year.
I write on this sketchy information not with undue alarm in mind. The estimated fly by is about 14 years yet forward. Since our scientists who are still studying this asteroid claim that it is tumbling in space, there is that chance that its wake can bring adverse effects on our planet when it passes us some 37,000 kilometers from our atmosphere.
It is good idea if our own leaders present to us a futuristic program. For purposes of the 2016 elections, let them tell us what they intend to do, if elected to office. While their terms can only range for 6 years, in so far as our national leaders and 3 years for local officialdom, they can put in place a program that seeks to anticipate the astronomical event in 2029.
We have to take our stock now. Number one consideration is our nature of doing things at the last moment. Here is an example: Was it not that our government officials notified us, voters, the last day to verify our biometric files with the COMELEC? Early on, only trickles went thru the process but when the last day arrived, we also came in unmanageable hordes.
The period of 14 years is long, but since the preparations required to meet what is yet unknown can be logistically burdensome, our officialdom better start their plans soonest. The May 2016 election should be timely. Those seeking our mandate must tell us that within their radar is a massive preparation to protect our people when MN4 wheezes by. A factor of our choice is how our elective officials look at 2029. After all, whoever gets elected president will serve office this 2022 and by the time he bows out of office, the world will already be scrambling in anticipation for MN4.
Is it possible that our city officials who will get elected in May 2016, lay out a program that will secure our people from any catastrophic impact in 2029? However it shapes up, we will not yet know. If a policy will be put in place, some kind of order will follow. The truth is what kind of refuge, or sanctuary or haven is necessary for our citizens, has to be a part of the preparation. Candidates for our city officialdom must tell us that as early as the term 2016-2019, they will have done something to help us cope with whatever comes in 2029. Absent such plan is equivalent to absence of realistic concern.