Linking Climate Knowledge to Action The National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) held its second National Conference on Climate Change with the theme Linking Climate Knowledge to Action on September 26, 2013 at the Traders Hotel, Pasay City. The conference was divided into six (6) plenary sessions: 1. Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigations by Richard B. Tantoco, President and Chief Operating Officer, Energy Development Corporation. He said that their company works on the geothermal energy for which they tapped the Mt. Apo height seeking for the prescribed magma temperature from an inactive volcano for geothermal energy to deliver power that is clean and environmental friendly. He also spoke of the tree planting project the company has initiated wherein they have planted 3,000 species of trees of which 96 are endangered species and had completely reforested 1,000 hectares of Mt. Apo. This brought about the showing of different fauna and flora not noticeable before, and the birds, reptiles, and insects in the area, and the discovery of tarsiers, that feed on Ilang-ilang leaves in Leyte as well and not only found in Bohol. Their company has donated two laboratories, the second one to study more of the tree species, reduce carbon footprints and others. They have received 27 proposals for researches and have approved a great number of them, having the policy of what is good for the environment is good for their business and that sustainability is in the heart of their business. During the onslaught of typhoon Sendong, their company had served as a refugee center to 1,000 evacuees whom they had fed round the clock for weeks and cost several millions of pesos. 2. Analytical Tools for Climate Adaptation by Ms. Thelma Cinco, Assistant Weather Services Chief of DOST’s Philippine Atmospherical, and Astronomical Services Administration who discussed the tropical storm’s behavior, its wind strength and rain volume, and how the past storms affected the land fall areas in the country; in terms of wreckage, floods and landslides. 3. Settlements and Housing by Atty. Linda L. Malenab – Hornilla, Commissioner, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. She stressed on the importance of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan where the hazardous areas to flood and landslides are pointed out through the use of the multihazard maps which the agency has to provide. The topography and resources are very important factors to consider in ensuring that the project is doable. 4. Food Security and Biodiversity by Dr. Laura T. David, Professor, University of the Philippines, Diliman. She spoke on the multidisciplinary research of shallow water and coastal oceanography that includes investigative ocean productivity and diversity as they relate to physical and chemical characteristics and qualifying the effect of anthropogenic activities of the coast. She talked about the use of Remote Sensing and Image Analysis which sparks local interest in using remote sensing on marine research and coastal planning. 5. Risk insurance by Mr. William F. Martirez, Country Manager, MicroEnsure – Philippines, who was represented by his colleague. The speaker talked about what their company offers in crop insurance, what is all about, how to avoid and what benefits the insurance can give to the crops damaged covered by the insurance. 6. Concluding Session where representatives from each of the session presented/gave short conclusion. Other speakers ahead of the plenary were: *Academician William G. Padolina, President, NAST who welcomed the guests and participants; *Hon. Mario G. Montejo, whose opening message was read, said that since our country is one of the most disaster- prone nations in the world, losing lives and billions of pesos annually due to the calamities occurring frequently, understanding climate change will make us more resilient to catastrophes; and *Hon. Mary Ann L. Sering, Vice Chairman, Climate Change Commission, the keynote speaker who was introduced by Academician Rodel D. Basco, Chair, NAST Task Force on Climate Change.(Estrella Z. Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila)
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:18:31 +0000
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