Facing the Challenges of the Environmental Situation

(The National and Local Scenario)

Prepared forSangguniang Kabataan-Iloilo City

during the JCI-Iloilo WeekApril 10, 2011

Outline:1. The science of global warming2. The national environmental situation (an overview)3. The local environment situation4. The challenges ahead5. Taking the tasks for environmental protection and

preservation- Gearing towards disaster risk reduction

6. Workshop

Duration: maximum 1 hour input

1. Center for Environmental Concerns2. Kalikasan People’s Network for the

Environment3. Presentation of DR. ALICIA L. LUSTICA,

Regional Technical Director for Research, DENR, R-6 (September 24, 2010)

4. Presentation of Noel Hechanova, CENR Officer during the Environmental Summit of Iloilo City (January 2011)

5. Local daily newspapers

One of the major tribulations today is climate change

PFCsHFCsSF6

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat from the sun to keep the Earth warm.

H2O

Water vapor

CO2

Carbon DioxideCH4

Methane

NO2

Nitrous Oxide

The The GreenhouseGreenhouse Effect Effect

CO2

CH4

N2O HFCs

PFCs SF6

CO2CO2

CH4CO2 N2OCH4HFCs

SF6 SF6

CO2 CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2CO2 CO2

CH4

N2O

Increasing levels of GHGs in the atmosphere make for a warmer world leading to abrupt changes in climate!

• Increasing global air and ocean Temperatures

• Rising global average sea level

• Reductions of snow and ice

The evidence

“Warming of the Climate System…..is unequivocal” (IPCC-AR4, 2007)

• Burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal, gas and others in transportation, manufacturing processes and industry among others, and land-use changes contribute to the increase of carbon dioxide emissions.

Climate change is considered one of the most serious threats to sustainable development, with adverse impacts expected on the environment, human health, food security, economic activity, natural resources and physical infrastructure. Scientists agree that rising concentrations of anthropogenically-produced greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere are leading to changes in the climate. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the effects of climate change have already been observed, and scientific findings indicate that precautionary and prompt action is necessary.

Earth Negotiations Bulletin, Vol. 12 No. 354, Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Rich industrialized countries are

responsible for the lion’s share

of GHG emissions

Rich industrialized countries are responsible for the lion’s share of GHG emissions

• During the pre-industrial revolution, levels of Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere was 280 parts per million (ppm) by volume.

So are the greenhouse gases really increasing?

• By the end of 2005, levels had increased to 379 ppm. Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent GHG accounting for 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect or global warming. It is produced by burning of oil, coal and natural gas, land use and land use change including steel, cement and lime production.

Human activities that lead to the increase in concentration of greenhouse gasses include:

Burning of fossil fuel Deforestation Increasing industrial

activity Motor vehicle emission Improper waste

management practices Intensive agriculture

Conference of Parties 16, Cancun Mexico November 29 to December 10, 2010

What’s it all about?What’s it all about?To summarize…To summarize…

• World has gotten warmer.

• It will continue to get hotter in this century and beyond.

• We are causing this dangerous trend, both through emitting GHGs and air pollutants.

But the poor majority suffer the worst consequences of CC

• 75–250 million people across Africa could face more severe water shortages by 2020.

• Agricultural production and access to food will be severely compromised in many African countries: agricultural land will be lost, and there will be shorter growing seasons and lower yields. In some countries, yields from rain-fed crops could be halved by 2020. In Central and South Asia, crop yields could fall by up to 30 per cent

• An estimated 50 million more people will be at risk of hunger by 2020 plus another 132 million by the middle of the century.

• Rising sea levels will cause more flooding in low-lying areas, and warmer sea waters will diminish fish stocks.

But the poor majority suffer the worst consequences of CC

• Rising sea levels and increased storm surge will threaten the homes and livelihoods of communities especially in small island nations, forcing some to migrate permanently.

• IPCC suggested that environmental refugees will increase to 150 million by 2050 largely due to coastal flooding, shoreline erosion and agricultural displacement.

• Over 150,000 people are currently estimated to die due to diarrhea, malaria and malnutrition caused by climate change.

• 96% of people who die of natural disasters are in poor developing countries

• Most affected are indigenous peoples, small agri producers, fishers, coastal communities, rural women and children, urban slumdwellers, displaced workers, other marginalized sectors

Vulnerability in Southeast Asia

A January 2009 mapping study done by Dr. Arief Anshory Yusuf and Dr. Herminia

Francisco of the Singapore-based Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia

shows the vulnerability of Southeast Asia alone shows alarming trends.

• The Climate Change Commission (CCC) warned

that around 8,647 hectares of Iloilo province will be

vulnerable to a possible one-meter sea level rise with the

continued melting of glaciers because of global warming.

• Citing a study of the University of the Philippines

Los Baños (UPLB), CCC Secretary Heherson Alvarez

said Iloilo ranks third among the provinces in the country

that are most susceptible to a one-meter sea level rise.

• The study identified Cagayan province as the top-most

vulnerable, followed by Palawan.

As we are bracing for the impacts of climate change in our locality, let us also take a look at the situation of our environment...

Biodiversity superstar

Richest among the Rich in terms of natural resources

Enough resources to provide for domestic needs and development

Source: Heaney, 2002

300,78049%5581139Philippines

8,511,96525%7883131Brazil

451,1716%25435Spain

Land Area (km2)

% EndemicEndemic Species

Total speciesCOUNTRY

Forest cover as percentage of land area. In 2001 less than 8 % of the country was covered by original tropical rainforest. As of 2003, our forest

cover is 23%.

6%201023%198870%1900s

1900

Forest Degradation

- In 1999, the Philippines had 5.5 million hectares (55,000 km2) or 18.3% of forest cover.

Disappearing Natural Forests

- Estimates place natural forest cover in 1900 at 21 million has. (210,000 km2) or 70% of the total land area.

- At the beginning of 2007, natural forest cover declined further to 7% (1.47 million hectares)

AKLAN Forest Cover : (26.54%)

ANTIQUE Forest Cover: (28.56%)

ILOILOForest Cover: (8.73%)

NEGROS OCC.Forest Cover: (8.69%)

LAND CLASSIFICATION(in hectare)

Total Land Area : 2,022,311 ha

Forest Cover of Region 6 : 260,642.72 or 12.89%

Source: LEP-FMS, DENR R6

CAPIZ Cover: (11.47%)

GUIMARASForest Cover: (0.18%)

Forest are disappearing at an alarming rate

1950 – 1978 - 204,000 ha/y 

1978- 1988 - 19,000 ha/y  

1989 – 1995 - 116,321ha/y

In Iloilo City..

• No major forest except mangroves which is classified as protection forest• 39.5 ha. located sporadically along

the coastal barangays, Iloilo and Batiano Rivers

• Lumber producing and fuit trees are planted in private lands, parks and open spaces

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT• The state of the Western Visayas environment is viewed by environmental experts as CRITICAL

• Though it may not suffer the predicted ecological disasters, the region has been experiencing symptoms of environmental stresses such as drought, pollution, flooding and outbreak of diseases which are leading to global ecological crises like climate change, loss of forest, siltation of rivers, loss of biodiversity, among others.

Causes of Deforestation

•Corporate, large-scale logging •Massive forest conversion •Illegal logging•Unsustainable forest management

Designated functions of forest – primary function 2005

•Production 75.0%•Protection 11.0%•Conservation 12.0%•Social Services (%) -•Multiple Services (%) -•None of Unknown 2.0%

Wide range of mineral resources

5th mineralized country in the world

2007 2008 2009 July 2010EP 89,828.76 NA NA 345,974MPSA 373, 201 NA NA 587,340FTAA 41,199 87,249 90,341 109,217TOTAL 514,948 600,000 + 782, 187 1,042,531

700,000 hectares of land have been approved for large scale mining operations since the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995

Mining Act of 1995: allows and favors foreign mining companies to explore, control and utilize our mineral resources.

MARINE and FRESH WATER RESOURCES

Philippines is richest in marine biodiversity

Has the longest discontinuous coastline and one of the richest coral reefs in the world

Overflowing water resources

RP regarded as "Center of Marine Biodiversity" in the

world, surpassing the Great Barrier Reef of

Australia. Around 2,500 fish species Rich coral reefs, with 488 out of 800 known species

worldwide Longest discontinuous

coastline worldwideThe Philippines is among

the largest fish producers in the world

62 per cent of the population lives in the

coastal zone

MARINE RESOURCES DEPLETION

Overfishing: 90% fish stocks depleted in 50 years

Degradation of marine environment: only 4% of coral reefs in good condition

Monopoly control of fishery resources

Open access policies Privatization of municipal

fisheries

If declining trend in fish production continue, only 10 kilogram of fish will be available per Filipino per year by 2010, as opposed to 28.5 kilogram per year in 2003.

Bodies of Water in Iloilo Bodies of Water in Iloilo CityCity1. Iloilo River (15 km)

Tributaries: Jibao-an River, Cabaluan River, mambiog Creek, Calajunan Creek, Dungon Creek

2. Jaro River (20 km)Tributaries: Tigum and Aganan Rivers

3. Batiano River4. Creeks – Bo. Obrero, Rizal, Ingore

Coastal Areas:Coastal Areas:1. Coastline: 20-km from Brgy Sto Nino

Sur to Brgy Balabago2. Adjoining body of water: Iloilo Strait3. Coastal Barangays: 264. Beaches can be found in 9 barngays

out of 26 coastal barangays

• Presence of fish and crustraceans• Mangroves:

• Aggregate 10 hectares• 22 species, 10 families• Includes 1 rare specie (Sonneratia Ovata)• Relatively high bio diversity based on Shannon

Index

• Coastal areas:• 65 fish species• 11 invertebrate species

• Mangroves found in 15 of 26 coastal barangays

• Resource use: fishery, recreation,, residential, commercial

• Iloilo river serves as habitat and nursery to many fish species• Supports growth of 22 species out of 35

national mangrove species

State of Land

Low irrigation• Irrigated land (% of cropland) 14.5• Erratic production trends, heavily dependent on the

serendipitous weather• Recurrent drought has degraded semi-arid parts of food

producing regions Land conversion

• An average of 2,227 has. of irrigated rice lands are converted to settlements and industrial plants annually as of 1991: 11,337 has. as of 2001: 600,000 has

Land degradation• Philippine gross erosion rate is at 2,046 million metric tons per

year – 5.2 million hectares of total land area are severely eroded• Croplands are also threatened by industrial and chemical

pollution, such as mine tailings spills • Compounding the problem is the continued shift to production of

export crops using high yielding varieties (HYVs).

1. Erosion:27 barangays along rivers prone to bank erosions

2. Land pollution:Solid waste generation..- More than 300 tons daily- 0.60 kg per day per person- 46% are kitchen and yard wastes- 37% are papers and plastics- Only 156 tons or more ends up at the landfill- 69% of wastes are generated by household- 28% from commercial establishments and markets

All of our rivers is not safe for drinking in its natural flowing state; more that 51 rivers are biologically dead

The availability of freshwater in the Philippines ranks 2nd to the lowest in Southeast Asia

Groundwater availability decreases at an average of 1.4% per year (>2,500MCM/year)

total groundwater demand increase at an average of 5.3 per year while water replenishment is only 3.7% per year.

16% forest cover and 45% of our land is eroded

- 69% of households have access to basic sanitation

- Wastewater generated by household enter bodies of water without tretment

- Haphazard septic tank practices. A survey of 2 coastal barangays revealed:- 65% of sceptic tanks not connected to public

drainage- 48% not bottom-sealed- Cases of intestinal parasitism in children is high- Incidence of gastro-enteritis is high among

adults

Iloilo River:Receives sewage discharges from 121 barangaysPresence of solid wastesPersistent siltationPresence of informal settlersLow dissolve oxygen for the past 5 years

Iloilo City’s coastlinehigh coliform levelBeaches at Molo-Arevalo foreshore not safe for

swimming

WATER SHORTAGE Water privatization 1999 – 2002: Water permit

rights increased by 14%, commercialization of bottled water up by 63%

March 2004: Clean Water Act

Discharge permits

WATER POLLUTION50 rivers biologically dead,

60% of groundwater sources depleted 26% and contaminated with coliform

Cause: waste dumping, large-scale extractive activities ex. 2003: 9 large dams operational, 14 dams by 2005

At the national level...

1. Average daily travel in Metro Iloilo & the Corresponding Emission

- emission: 10 kg of organic gases80 kg of CO25 kg of Nox

2. Vehicles (diesel-fed, 2-stroke)3. Power plants (diesel, barge, coal)

Year Pollutants(Tons)

Mobile(Vehicles)

Stationary(Power plants,

factories)

Area Source

(restaurants,

generator sets)

2006 13, 707

72% 26% 2%

2007 14, 476

70% 29% 1%

2008 13,160

54% 45% 1%

Figure 6. Disaster Affected Population 2008, 2009.Source: CDRC Database, 2009.

Figure 5. Number of Reported Disasters per Country in 2009Source: CRED, 2010

Direct result of rapid, unchecked appropriation of natural resources for the benefit of a few.

Rapid destruction of the environment and massive pollution

EnvironmentaldestructionDepletion

of our Resources

Widespread Poverty

Neo-liberalizationSell-out of our

natural resources

Environment is the lifeblood of a peaceful and progressive nation. It enhances human welfare and economic productivity. Everyone demands an equitable share in the bounty of the earth’s resources

1. The current environmental degradation (both at the national and local level) must be seriously addressed to.

2. Communities must now gear towards disaster risk reduction efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change; disaster-preparedness programs

3. Environmental advocacy work must be integrated in various program of actions in partnership with the local government units

Basic principlesBasic principles Human rights Social Justice and historical

responsibility Respect for the environment &

commitment to sustainable development

People’s sovereignty & stewardship

1. The local government has been and is currently into numerous initiatives addressing the problem of environmental degradation(clean water initiatives, clean land initiative)

2.Various bodies have come to appreciate the need for environmental protection

What are the specific actions you can contribute for environmental protection in your community?

WORKSHOPREPORTING

Suggested task for JCI:Collate group reports for presentation to the Iloilo City

Government