MikeLigalig.com

For Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, it only seems fitting that the Philippines should host an international conference where international experts will discuss the intricate relationship between biodiversity and climate change.

After all, the Philippines is one of the most biologically diverse countries that, as an archipelago, is also one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Around 700 environmentalists, researchers, scientists, academicians, policy makers and representatives from various related organizations are expected to gather for the International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change slated at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Feb. 1-3.

The event, jointly organized by the DENR and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), will also provide a venue for the participants to come up with strategies to conserve biodiversity, especially within the Asia-Pacific region.

“Climate change threatens to displace multitudes of species from their present habitats. Without human intervention, many species will not be able to relocate, much more compete against other species. Biodiversity is facing the specter of mass extinction,” said Paje. He lauded the timeliness and significance of the conference, in light of the “growing awareness that our planet is facing the perils of climate change and a compromised biodiversity.”

The scientific community has long been studying the impacts of climate change such as increased temperature and sea levels, ocean acidification and extreme weather conditions, said to be a result of increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, on biodiversity and society alongside global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Paje noted with pride that the Philippines has been active in such efforts.

“Our country has shown initiative in implementing programs that will hopefully arrest – or at least minimize - the adverse impacts of climate change that are expected on an archipelagic country like ours. Yet, we cannot deny that these impacts are already being felt by our flora and fauna in the various ecosystems, especially coastal and marine,” he said.

Among those mentioned by the Environment secretary as interventions the country has made to mitigate climate change and help conserve biodiversity are the Clean Air Act of 1999, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the Clean Water Act of 2004, the Biofuels Act of 2006, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, and the Climate Change Act of 2009. (PNA)

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