A report released in a meeting of the House panel on climate change, chaired by First District Cong. Edgar Chatto revealed that there is an urgent need to put climate action into the mainstream.
The urgent need to put the climate action into the mainstream is the gist of in the 6th Assessment Report (AR6) crafted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The summary of the said physical science report was presented at the regular meeting of Chatto’s House Committee on Climate Change on Sept. 15, 2021.
The Congressional panel gathered technical experts for a briefing on the AR6, relaying of information on climate and weather trends as well as extreme weather patterns, a look at climate change through a disaster lens, as well as discussions on local and international policy implications on the climate crisis.
In a nutshell, the AR6 says that climate change is human induced. Its key message according to Dr. Abegail Cruz, head of the Regional Climate Systems Laboratory of the Manila Observatory, is about heightened global warming which will lead to increased rainfall, intensely hot temperature, frequent flooding, and higher sea levels.
As such, immediate, rapid and large-scale reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is needed, Cruz said.
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres describes the climate change problem as a “Code Red for humanity” – meaning the world is dangerously close to experiencing irreversible global warming.
Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Senior Weather Specialist Dr. Marcelino Villafuerte said the Philippines has been experiencing warmer temperature, greater number of hot days, more annual rainfall, and increased instance of intense tropical cyclones.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP)-Resilience Institute Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay, highlighted the importance of looking at climate change through the disaster lens.
He said all social and economic activities are main drivers of climate change.
In turn, climate change will have serious impacts on these activities, he said, underscoring that planning, specifically for a better understanding of uncertainties and looking at alternative options will lead to decisions or choices that can cater to a wide range of outcomes related to climate change impact.
The Climate Change Commission through Policy Research and Development Division Chief Dr. Jerome Ilagan outlined adaptation policies that include risk assessment rollouts, capacity development of multi-sectoral stakeholders, and budgetary support along with mitigation policies such as energy transition, transport, waste, and agricultural modernization.
With the budget season in motion at the House of Representatives, Chatto vowed to ensure the integration of climate change policies in the allocation of funds for programs and projects in the next fiscal year.
“As stewards of the Lord’s creations, we must be part of the solution to address the urgency of the climate crisis and let us all make this world, truly a home for all,” he said.