Climate Change and the Strength of Filipinos

 The Philippines is one of the countries that have been hit hardest due to climate change. The intensity of typhoons is increasing, rainfall patterns are changing, and rising sea levels pose a danger to those living along the coast. These changes are as a result of pollution, overexploitation of trees and other environmental destructive practices.  

In 2013, strong typhoons like Haiyan proved how extreme climatic conditions could be. Individuals were displaced from their houses and their places of work and loss of life was also experienced. Extreme climatic conditions also put the lives of farmers at risk. Inundation is common occurrence among many communities. In spite of these problems, Filipinos have displayed a good degree of resilience. Communities are able to thrive in such environments as they are able to rebuild after events of disaster, farmers are ingenious and innovate alternative ways of growing crops and communities come together to initiate campaigns that serve as a call to action to preserve the surroundings.   

But resilience is insufficient. One must focus on the underlying causes of climate change. Adopting renewable sources of energy like solar and wind energy also entails reducing the rate at which trees are logged, which entails that appropriate measures be put in place to ensure that people are educated on the importance of preserving the environment. It is a shared responsibility; the government and individuals should all play their role. The challenges brought about by climate change are significant, but it’s the people of the Philippines who will prevail and build a better tomorrow.