Earth Day 2021: Available references on building resilience

PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshots: Human Health
PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshots: How the changing climate is detrimental to Human Health
April 7, 2021
Commentary: “Social sciences key to taming COVID-19”
April 30, 2021
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Image from EarthDay.org.

The 2021 Earth Day theme “Restore our Earth” shines the spotlight on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking which are crucial in restoring ecosystems. As the changing climate continues to intensify and affect communities, it is critical to understand climate-related events to build resilience, and at the same time, intensify ecosystem restoration.

Here are some resources that can help realize climate-resilient communities.

Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA) Sectoral Snapshots

The OML Center has produced the PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshots highlighting the climate vulnerabilities of Philippine forests and the public health sector. Derived from the findings of the PhilCCA working group reports produced by the Center, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), from 2016 to 2018, the sectoral snapshots illustrate the impacts of climate change, as well as the mitigation potential of these sectors and adaptation strategies. 

The PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshot on Forests highlights how the continuously warming temperature aggravates the already degraded condition of forests, further impacting their ability to provide life-sustaining services. 

The PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshot on Human Health underscores how the changing climate affects human health, disease, and death by exacerbating pre-existing health conditions. Increasing temperature and changing rainfall patterns are driving a surge in vector-borne, respiratory, water-borne, heat-related, and food-borne diseases. 

The PhilCCA Sectoral Snapshots on Forests and Human Health are available for download via the OML Center website

The Climate Resilience Challenge presents “COWET: A Nature-based Solution to Water Security”

A team of engineers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) developed a hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetland that makes use of low-cost technology and reusable materials to treat wastewater.

A finalist in the OML Center’s 2020 Climate Resilience Challenge, the “COWET: A Nature-based Solution to Water Security” aims to prioritize helping the agriculture sector, noting how farmers are confronted by challenges in water scarcity and water pollution. 

Watch the public presentation or read the highlights

Mga Kwento ng Klima

The award-winning documentary “Mga Kwento ng Klima” features the renewable energy system implemented by the Romblon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Romelco) and the rainwater harvesting units on the island of Cobrador, which has helped Romblon province adapt to the changing climate. It also highlighted how the Pecuaria Development Cooperative in Camarines Sur adjusted to sustainable farming practices to adapt to tropical cyclones, improve land use, and minimize their climate impact.

The documentary was co-produced by the OML Center and ABS-CBN DocuCentral, chronicling the effects of the changing climate in the context of the Filipino experience.

Watch “Mga Kwento ng Klima” via iWant TFC or ABS-CBN News’ YouTube page

Harvesting and Managing Rainwater Using Collapsible Rubber Tanks (May 2019) (Dr. Marisa Sobremisana, Engr. Antonio Gabino Sobremisana, Mr. Jasper Aliangan, and Mr. Simplicio Veluz)

Climate change and the El Niño phenomenon have affected water resources across the country, leading to water shortages even in urban areas. This study explored using Collapsible Rubber Tanks (CRT), a geotextile fabric-made container, and its potential in capturing, filtering, and storing rainwater for household use.

Read the abstract or download the journal article

Modeling of degraded reefs in Leyte Gulf, Philippines in the face of climate change and human-induced disturbances (August  2017) (Mr. Barron Cedric A. Tan, Dr. Jonathan A. Anticamara, Dr. Maria Ching S. Villanueva) 

This study assessed the status of reefs in 12 municipalities on the coast of the Leyte Gulf, noting that additional climate-related or human-induced disturbances on the already degraded Leyte Gulf Reef (LGR) ecosystem will further decrease its productivity. The article highlights the need for effective recovery and management to sustain the LGR’s productivity.

Read the abstract or download the journal article

Perceptions of Typhoon Haiyan affected communities about the resilience and storm protection function of mangrove ecosystems in Leyte and Eastern Samar, Philippines (December 2015) (Ms. Rafaela Jane Delfino, Mr. Carlo M. Carlos, Dr. Laura T. David, Dr. Rodel D. Lasco, and Dr. Dranreb Earl O. Juanico)

Local perceptions on the role mangroves played in reducing the impacts brought by Typhoon Haiyan in five affected municipalities and cities were studied, showing high awareness on the benefits of mangroves, but low involvement of local communities in mangrove rehabilitation. The study suggested that community awareness, participation, and institutional linkages should be improved to ensure a more sustainable ecosystem rehabilitation and management.

Read the abstract or download the journal article

A comparative analysis among disturbed, restored, and natural mangrove stands in the vulnerability and adaptability against climate change

This study, which was authored by Dr. Severino G. Salmo III and Ms. Eunice Lois D. Gainan and supported by the OML Center through a grant awarded to the Ateneo de Manila University, looked into the role of mangroves in climate resilience and showed that disturbances such as typhoons and conversion to aquaculture ponds contribute to changes in stocks and rates of carbon sequestration. It underscored that mangrove conservation should be complemented by more proactive restoration and suggested a more proactive approach on the rehabilitation of abandoned fish ponds to enhance carbon sequestration.

Visit the our website for more information on this study

Private Markets for Climate Resilience 

Launched by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the PMCR is an initiative to better understand climate resilience solutions provided by the private sector. The PMCR Global Report builds on the findings of national reports from country teams and resilience dialogues. Resilience Solution Factsheets on agriculture and transportation were also produced, which highlights the current practices and opportunities in Colombia, the Philippines, South Africa, Nicaragua, Kenya, and Vietnam.

Assessment on the Rice Sector of the Philippines notes various resilience solutions such as those addressing water-related challenges, development of resilient seed varieties, and financing and risk management.

The assessment on the Transportation Sector of the Philippines shows that innovative materials and technologies from private actors increase the sector’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The PMCR is led by a joint venture between the Global Climate Adaptation Partnership and Grupo Laera in partnership with the OML Center. Visit the PMCR page on our website to download the global report.

To learn about the earth day movement and access available resources, visit EarthDay.org.