Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation on Philippine Coasts

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Capili EB, ACS Ibay and JRT Villarin, 2005. Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation on Philippine Coasts.

Proceedings of the International Oceans 2005 Conference. 19-23 September 2005, Washington D.C., USA.

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Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation on Philippine Coasts

E. B. Capili

klima Climate Change Center, Manila ObservatoryAteneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights

Quezon City, Philippines 1108

A. C. S. Ibay

klima Climate Change Center, Manila ObservatoryAteneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights

Quezon City, Philippines 1108

J. R. T. Villarin

Xavier University, Corrales AvenueCagayan de Oro City, Philippines, 9000

Abstract - The Philippine archipelago, which has one of thelongest coastlines in the world, will not be spared of the adverse

impacts of sea-level rise and extreme climate events that are

expected to happen in a warmer world. This study aims to

review climate change impacts on Philippine coastal

communities and to set directions for possible adaptation

measures on both local and national levels. The erratic changes

in the climate system have affected various coastal ecosystem

and communities. Among which coral bleaching, changes in

productivity, changes in plankton dynamics, alterations in

seagrass and sea weed reproduction patterns, shoreline erosion

and retreat, changes in trophic dynamics as well as aggravation

of marine diseases are just a few. Apparently, the most

significant impact is on coastal fisheries yield and community

welfare. Existing climate change initiatives in the country

include Integrated Coastal Zone Management System (ICZM),

coastal policies and regulations (e.g. Fisheries Code), disaster

management strategies among others. However, there is lack of

integration for these initiatives in the context of climate change.

Several points were raised as suggestions and solutions. An

improved network of strategies should be created and a multi-

sectoral approach should be adapted. Macro and micro-level

adaptation measures should be defined and evaluated to ensure

effective dissemination and implementation. The national

government embodies the authority for governance and policies.

On the other hand, local government should focus on

implementation in collaboration with the academe (technical

support), non-government organizations (advocacy,

information, education and communication), private, andfinancial institutions (financial assistance). Recent observations

on climate change impacts are sufficient evidence to raise this

issue as a national concern. Recognizing and accepting that

climate is indeed altering the planet is crucial and a change of

mindset should begin within us.

I. INTRODUCTION

Climate change or global warming has been the buzzword for years. By definition, climate change pertains to the

changes in our climate system over a period of time [27].This includes both natural (e.g. circulation patterns, El Nio phenomena) and anthropogenic (greenhouse gas emissions)causes. These processes result in the production of heat-trapping greenhouse gases or GHGs released in theatmosphere of which carbon dioxide (CO2) makes the largestpercentage. Changes in our climate translate to temperaturerise affecting the planets various dynamic processes.

A change in climate will affect ecosystems especially theterrestrial and aquatic. One critical area that will most likely be susceptible is the coastal zone. Most countries in mid-

latitudes or near the equator are composed of coastalsystems. The Philippines, found in the Indo-Pacific area, iscomposed of 32,400 kms of discontinuous coastline [20]. Itis an archipelago made of 7,100 islands and considered as ahaven for various reef and reef-associated flora and fauna.Most of the people living in coastal areas are highlydependent on coastal fishing, seaweed farming, andmangrove lumber. The countrys coral reefs provide annualeconomic benefits estimated at US$1.1 billion per year [4].

The Philippine coastal zone is generally composed ofmangrove areas, beach areas, seagrass beds and coral reefs.Estuaries and coastal wetlands are also found along thecoasts. A typical coastal zone in the Philippines is illustratedin Fig. 1. Mangrove systems provide valuable resources (e.g.timber, food and coal) and serve as buffer systems holdingsediments from directly accumulating to other parts of thecoastal zone and protect from wave surges [17]. The totalmangrove area in the country is 1,200 km2. Some of theworlds finest beaches are found here like those in Boracayand Panglao Islands in the Visayas. Tourist attractions provide additional income and livelihood for localcommunities and contribute to the countrys treasury [14].


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Seagrass beds are found in almost every coast and spreaddiscontinuously along the shallow coastlines. Fortes (2002)estimated a total of 978 km2 of seagrass beds measured in 96sites in various parts of the country. Fisheries supported by

Fig. 1. A typical coastal zone in the Philippines [7].

this ecosystem contribute about $540,000 annually for thecountry [25]. Coral reefs are everywhere and regarded asone of the most admired diving sites in the world. Theyserve as habitats for a great diversity of plants and animals,protecting shorelines from storms and erosions, and provideeconomic resource for tourism and fisheries.

The warming of ocean waters has damaged the coastalareas. The most disastrous effect was the bleaching of coralsduring the 1997-1998 El Nio [1]. This affected the coral-associated fishes thus resulting to loss of shelter and food,and mortality. However, fish catch decline is not solelyattributed to the warming of the oceans but also to intensefishing pressure and other anthropogenic stresses [21].Unfortunately, warm conditions will increase susceptibilityto stress.

As warming intensifies in shorter periods of time, therewill be great implications for coastal communities. Perez

[21] comprehensively reviewed climate change impacts onthe Philippine coastal system with emphasis on the physico-chemical and ecological effects as well as discussingrecommendations for management. The present study aimsreinforce the above-mentioned review by documentingimpacts and discussing more detailed plans of action toaddress the concern. The roles of both national and localgovernments will be identified along with the other sectorsinvolved in the strategy. Results will provide a better handlein understanding the coastal dynamics of climate change andserve as baseline information for local parties concerned.This will also be the basis for analyzing impacts, developingmitigation measures, and policy formulation.

II. METHODOLOGY

Studies on climate change impacts in the Philippinecoastal system were compiled and comprehensivelyreviewed. Records of climate change initiatives in thecountry were also noted and assessed to determine thecurrent status of the countrys capacity to face climatechange issues and concerns. Given these trends,recommendations were carefully built to suit the present

needs of the country in formulating adaptation and mitigationmeasures for climate change impacts and facilitate policy-making process catering to the coastal zone.

III. IMPACTS ON PHILIPPINE COASTS:NATURAL SYSTEM

The changing climate has kept increasing oceantemperature. Increase in sea-surface temperature (SST) from

1976 to 2000 has a rate of 0.14 C for every 10 years [15].Among the worlds waters, tropical oceans will besignificantly affected since they receive greater amounts ofsolar heat input attributed to earths physical intrinsicproperties [24]. It will increase evaporation and precipitationin these regions and also enhance the El Nio SouthernOscillation (ENSO) wherein every two to seven years, strongwestward-blowing trade winds subside and warm water

slowly moves back eastward across the Pacific causingwaters to shift and redistribute rains with flooding anddroughts [10]. Analysis of General Circulation Models(GCMs) based on emissions scenarios in the Philippinesshowed that the minimum temperature in the 21st century isexpected to be higher than the 1961-90 baseline thereby amuch warmer environment is projected [5].

A. Ocean Currents and Circulation

Large scale ocean currents are primarily driven bydensity differences. Warming disrupts the differencescausing changes in ocean current circulations. Coastalregions and adjacent landmasses will experience differentialincreases in temperature. Ultimately, such increase will alsostrengthen along-shore winds resulting to enhancedupwelling. ENSO cycles in the central Pacific ocean willalso increasing in frequency and intensity [13]. In thePhilippines, SST variations due to ENSO resulted to reducedinflow of cold water in the northern portion that in turnreduces upwelling and weakened seasonal variation. The Northeast monsoon influences the South China Sea (SCS)whereas latitudinal differences prevail in the Philippine Seawith or without ENSO. Also changes in the prevailing localwind system of SCS during ENSO periods influence basincirculation leading to warming of surface waters [22].

B. Marine Biogeochemistry

The ocean decreases its capacity to dissolve CO2 as itwarms [13] leading to a decrease in biological carbonateformation (essential for reef-building) in tropical oceans by14 to 30% in 50 years. Intense warming will change primary production rates and enhance Dimethyl sulfide (DMS)production that has a cooling effect and may affect climate inreturn [13].


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The thermocline (zone in the water column wheretemperature drops rapidly) lowers into deeper waters,changing the dynamics of plankton productivity anddisrupting upwelling in some areas. Waters will be forced toevaporate faster allowing colder, nutrient-rich waters tosurface enhancing productivity. Although high productivity

may have positive effects, there will be chances of toxicmicro-organism blooms. The recurrence of toxic algal blooms in Manila Bay has been attributed to the increasedSSTs. The dominant alga, Pyrodinium bahamense varcompressum, has a development pattern easily affected bymajor climate changes.

C. MangrovesFor mangrove forests, sea-level rise will decrease

precipitation and run-off and increase salinity resulting to alesser mangrove production [13]. These areas maintain the balance with fresh and salt waters. Climate change willcertainly disrupt the balance. Prolonged warming will force

associated flora and fauna to endure the heat and becomemore susceptible to other stresses. This may also affect theirreproductive patterns thus deviating from their normalseasonality. If these organisms cant cope, mortality willmost likely result.

D. Estuaries

Estuaries are enclosed bodies of water with a direct linkto the sea and an input of freshwater. These are consideredto be one of the most biologically productive areas and serveas nursery grounds for juvenile fishes and shell fishes.Intensive heat may also disrupt salt and fresh water balancesuch that changes in freshwater inflow rates and evaporationalter salinity. In effect, the warmer or less saline waterremains in the upper water column thereby reducing watermixing and O2 will be depleted in deeper waters.Furthermore, these may result to the blocking of normalmigration routes outside the estuary and may lead to amismatch between the plankton blooms and juvenile fishesthat depend on these blooms for food [13].

E. Seagrasses

Too much warming exposure will make seagrassessusceptible to other stresses leading to mortality. Warmwaters primarily alter their growth rates and physiologicalfunctions as well as change distributions and patterns ofreproduction. Increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2

will also enhance primary production for carbon limitedseagrass areas. Impacts of increased CO2 concentration willvary among species but will most likely disrupt competitionamong species and between seagrass and algal populations[23].

Sea-level rise will lead to increased water depths, tidalvariation, water movement alterations, and increasedseawater intrusion into estuaries and rivers. These would

also reduce light in seagrass beds decreasing their productivity. Ocean current patterns enhanced by erosionalter near shore seagrass areas and affect breeding and theecosystems nursery functions. Salinity changes result toalterations of plant distribution, changes in seed germination,propagule formation, photosynthesis, growth, and biomass.

F. Beaches and shorelinesThe predicted global sea-level rise between 1990 and

2100 is 0.09 to 0.88 m [15]. Beaches and shorelines mayerode and this increases storm surge susceptibility for coastalareas especially in Eastern Philippines. Apart from thetourism and livelihood losses, safety and security are issuesthat should also be considered. Not to mention the possibility of salt water intrusion into ground water andflooding of coastal habitats [13]. Low lying small islandslike Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan Island Group will mostly sufferfrom erosion and salt water intrusion [19]. Flooding mayalso result to inundation leading to displacement of people

and increase environmental refugees [18].

The flooding potentials of Manila Bay were determinedusing projected sea-level rise scenarios. A 1.0m rise willentail inundation of more than 5000 ha of land in 19municipalities of Manila, Bulacan and Cavite [21]. Thecoastal ecosystems cant cope with the rising sea-level withthe current high sediment loading and pollution. Areas thatare mostly affected by flooding during high tides and heavyrains will be submerged in water in this condition. A worstcase scenario of 2.0m rise will aggravate riverine flooding inmost of the bays tributaries particularly Pampanga and Pasigrivers. Coincidentally, these areas are densely populated andpoverty driven [21] and coping with the situation might be adifficulty.

G. Coral ReefsReef-building corals are the major components of coral

reefs. They have symbiotic algae living inside themenhancing growth and nutrient recycling. However,increased sea-surface temperature brings out stress and bleaching. In the recent years, reefs in poor conditionincreased to 40% in the last 20 years [26]and one probablecause is ocean warming. The extent of decrease attributed towarming is yet to be established. In the last few years, therehas been an increase in temperature induced bleachingoccurrence, disease incidence, elevated sea-level, and

lowered ocean pH threatening coral reef survival around theglobe. Coral bleaching and fish kills were observed inSilaqui Island, Bolinao, Philippines but coastal areas in theVisayas were mostly affected by bleaching [16]. High SSTis believed to be the major cause of bleaching coincidingwith ENSO occurrence and aggravated by other factors suchas solar irradiance, current, wave energy, tidal fluctuationsand reef morphology resulting to greater susceptibility. Asignificant decrease (up to 46%) in live coral cover was


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observed after the 1997-98 bleaching event in the country.The northwestern part of the Philippines was found to behighly susceptible to elevated sea temperatures [1].Bleaching of giant clams in the land-based nurseries inBolinao, Pangasinan was also attributed to high SSTs [9].These may have implications in stock enhancement and

breeding of giant clams for conservation and reseeding.

The increase in temperature shifted the abundance anddistribution of plankton species (autotrophs) and affected theabundance of herbivores, fishes and other organismsoccupying higher trophic levels in the food web. Planktondecrease will result in exponential fisheries yield decrease.Temperature changes will also have significant effects ontheir thermal habitats leading to redistribution of fish populations and disrupt the migration patterns of pelagicfishes. Indeed, increasing temperature combined with fishingpressure may reinforce fishery collapse [13]. More than 50%of the reef sites in the Philippines, with the exception of the

Sulu Sea, surveyed between 1991 and 2004 are in the verylow and low categories due to over-fishing [26]. Coupledwith increasing SSTs, the number of over-fished reefs mayincrease. Also, fish species associated with live coralsshowed relatively lower recruitment at bleached sitescompared to the same sites prior to bleaching or to recoveredsites. It was evident that species diversity and assemblagestructure of recruits has changed [3]. Other organisms likemarine mammals, considered as key stone species, may alsosuffer from habitat destruction, fragmentation of populationand disruption of their trophic dynamics.

IV. IMPACTS ON PHILIPPINE COASTS:SOCIAL SYSTEM

Any change in the natural systems will also alter thedynamics of coastal communities. Coral bleaching andmortality, changes in the chemistry and physical dynamics ofthe waters plus disruption of migratory and reproductivepatterns of marine organisms translate to significant changesin coastal fishery demands. Fish decline will surely affect productivity. The demand for searching other means oflivelihood will increase migration in other places and shiftingof livelihood sources. In other words, these will create adomino effect by changing peoples way of coastal living andsustainability.

Analysis of the 1998 bleaching effects on fisheries andtourism in various parts of the country showed difficulties inattributing the loss due to climate change since over-fishingeffects have clouded the values [6]. Highly bleached areas inthe country coincided with areas of poverty and densepopulations [16]. It is important to note that these areas willcertainly have difficulties in facing the consequences andproblems brought about by climate change.

One of the major impacts of warm temperatures in thecountry is decrease in fisheries yield. After the 1998-99ENSO event, the total estimated loss was 7.248 billion pesos.The aquaculture sub-sector suffered approximately 85% (~6million pesos) economic loss followed by marine fisheries(14.78% ~ 1 million pesos) and inland fisheries (0.26% ~

18,000 pesos). On the other hand, open water fisheriesthrough the marine municipal (subsistence) fishing sub-sector lost 18,401 tons (PHP 850,000) while commercialfishing in marine waters lost 4,522 tons (~ 1 million pesos)and inland fishing had a loss of 599 tons [11].

Aside from shortage, health related impacts are alsoexpected. Toxic micro-organism blooms will cause dietaryconstraints and even poisoning due to contaminated food.Heat stroke has been rampant during the height of summerand El Nio days. Vector borne diseases are also expected tomultiply because the environment is very optimal forpropagation.

Shelter and security are also issues of concern especiallyin areas affected by sea-level rise. In cases whereconstruction of man-made barriers will not suffice, relocationof inhabitants will be the most likely option. Coastal erosionhas been observed along the 60 km long coast of southern LaUnion, Philippines. The local communities responded either by temporarily evacuating, relocating, building ripraps orsandbags, or by constructing seawalls [2].

V. CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES IN THEPHILIPPINES

Given the various impacts resulting from climate change,it is significant to know the extent of damage and casualties.Apparently, any change in the natural system willautomatically affect the dynamics of the social system.Mitigation and adaptation measures may offset the negativeimpacts of climate change [13]. Therefore, it is but crucial todetermine measures to adapt and mitigate.

In the Philippines, numerous efforts on addressing theissue of climate change have already been implemented.However, only a few concentrate on the impacts of climatechange in the coastal system. The current initiatives includethe Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) that is being done in Lingayen Gulf, Davao Gulf, Cebu andBatangas Bay. In the long run, this program aims to change

the resource use patterns from single to multiple uses andwill be achieved through governance and communityparticipation. However, this lacks the appropriate responsesto present-day climatic variability and natural hazards, andclimate change impacts on coastal resources [21]. Otherinitiatives such as Coastal and Fisheries resourcesmanagement, Environmental impact assessment (EIA)system, Disaster management system, Fisheries sector andCoastal Environment programs (being spearheaded by the


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National government) are also being implemented. Despitetheir existence, it still necessary to include detailed measuresaddressing climate change impacts on coasts.

Given these initiatives, several points are raised todetermine the impacts and adaptation options for climate

change related events. Key points include prioritization ofcoastal areas, identifying local, cultural, sociological issuesto account for and initiatives that can be continued andadapted in other areas. It is a fact that these initiatives werenot planned solely to address the detailed impacts of climatechange in coastal communities thereby lacking theintegration of climate change related problems. In otherwords, an integrated assessment for all coastal initiativeswith detailed implementing measures on climate changeimpacts, identification of priority areas, and problemsencountered, should be developed. In addition, informationeducation and communication efforts are needed tocomplement the strategies.

VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Addressing climate change issues in the country seems to be insufficient to cope with future climate projections.Several initiatives are currently implemented however,integration is missing. Also, they do not solely focus on theissue but rather serve other purposes. The challenge now isto create integrated and holistic strategies to ensureeveryones security when facing the challenges that climatewill bring.

The right direction to take is utilizing a multi-sectoralapproach in addressing the issue. Climate change affectseverything on earth. It is therefore necessary to promotecooperation among institutions in making this endeavor asuccess. In the Philippines, both national and local strategiesare necessary. There will be involvement of different sectorssuch as private and financial institutions, academe/research,and non-government organizations. The national and localgovernment will play lead roles in ensuring well-developedand effective strategy formulation. If, and only if, all thesesectors will perform at their best capacity, we will have betterchances of facing the consequences of climate change.

A. National LevelThe challenge is to embrace the timescale of climate

change within the scale of decision-making [21]. The National government is responsible for policy formulationand governance specifically creating a national framework onstrategies to address climate change impacts in the coastalsystem. This is very crucial since planning and strategyformulation should be anchored on a sound basis andsuggested measures should ensure effectiveness. It is very

important to pool all experts to come up with a holisticstrategy.

Perez [21] classified the strategies into two majorcategories. The no regret strategies involve solutions thatcan be applied to address the present concerns as well as

future issues, which may or may not include climate changewhile the co-benefits strategies are designed to addressclimate change related vulnerability while also producingcorollary benefits that are not related to climate change.These may serve as a guiding principle in planning andstrategy formulation. What we are suggesting at this point isthe recognition of two primary areas of concern:conservation and disaster management. These are importantcomponents that should be prioritized in the advent ofclimatic changes in the coasts.

In planning for conservation strategies, the governmentsrole must be emphasized in the creation, enhancement or

strict implementation of coastal laws, regulations, andprograms. Other strategies are given below as recommendedby Perez [21]:

Formulation of ICZM guidelines and legislation(include land use planning in coastal zones).

Institutionalization of mangrove resourcesdevelopment through formulation of additional policies and regulations or amending existingpolicies on sustainable mangrove management.

Emphasis of massive reforestation of degradedmangrove systems through a community-basedapproach.

Inclusion of coastal wetlands, swamps, andmarshes in the National Integrated ProtectedAreas System and there should be efforts inclassifying wildlife sanctuary and uniqueecosystems.

Strict implementation of mining laws andreforestation of denuded watersheds to reduceriver and coastal erosion.

Incorporate evaluation of geological, hydro-meteorological, and structural engineeringevaluation in the environmental impactassessment prior to coastal development.

The creation of marine protected areas is also anotheroption. However, there is a need to include climate change-integrated conservation strategies [12] that cover range shiftsand projections, changing biogeography, need for expandedtime horizons, recognition of system dynamics, immediacyof climate change impacts, extent of present protection anddynamics of connectivity. Although numerous coastal andcoral reef reserves are in existence, they still fall short oncomprehensive coverage [12]. Management actions parallel


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to those that have been developed for coral reefs to beapplied in other marine systems are also necessary.

On the other hand, strategies in disaster management willinvolve institutional actions such as creation andimplementation of policies and regulations on habitation and

construction away from hazard-prone areas. The followingsuggestions are highlighted by Perez [21]:

Conducting assessments of current practices oncrisis management and promote awareness ofclimate change and variability to policy makersfor creation of coastal sectoral policies.

Development of multi-hazard mitigation orprotection plans for natural coastal hazards witha priority on the maximum reduction in threatto life, structures, and economic production.

New anticipatory approaches are needed toincrease the resilience of vulnerable areas to

improve their recovery from future disasters. Discourage government subsidies or tax

incentives to support the development of landsensitive to sea-level rise, such as barrierislands, coastal wetlands, estuarine shorelinesand critical wildlife habitats, must bediscouraged.

Encourage insurance and banking industries tofactor risks of climatic variability intoinvestment decisions.

Implement structural measures (e.g. buildingdikes, sea walls and other engineering options,observational infrastructures) and non-

structural measures (i.e. policies on naturalresource conservation, environmentalmanagement, land-use policies and buildingcodes).

Complementing environmental managementwith disaster management in the communitylevel.

There is a necessity in creating national body orimplementing agency (that may fall under the jurisdiction ofthe Inter-agency Committee on Climate Change or IACCC)to integrate all evaluation reports from the local units andcome up with a status report to capture the whole picture.There is an urgent need to review and integrate all measures, policies and management plans to avoid costly duplicationand to increase coordination among stakeholders.

B. Local LevelThe local government units main role is the

implementation of strategies in their areas of responsibilities.They will coordinate with various institutions to build a coregroup tasked to gather base-line information, plan localactivities and evaluate the implemented schemes at their

level. Also, they will carry the task of capacity-buildingallowing transfer of knowledge and expertise to local parties.It is given that poorer developing countries will not be able toafford such gigantic engineering projects [13]. It is then achallenge to create innovative measures using localresources. Developed strategies must be site-specific and

must be done only after a thorough impact analysis of thearea. Selective protection measures (e.g. dikes or sea walls)must be constructed only after thorough cost-benefit studies.Issues and concerns on both the short- and long-term needsmust be brought to the attention of the community who arethe direct targets of the impacts, and of the policymakers whowill direct strategies for adaptation. Most importantly,significant stakeholders must be consulted and involved fromthe planning stages until implementation. They have toconsider reserving foreshore areas for recreation/tourism purposes and other public uses and be excluded fromdisposition, strengthen ICZM program through monitoringchanges and device possible options in cases when structural

measures are not feasible (e.g. retreat or relocation can be anoption for highly vulnerable areas) [21].

C. Private sector and Financial institutionsPrivate sectors may welcome local projects and provide

financial support or venues for conduct of research andapplied programs. Their support is significant and is a keyfactor in propelling the governments programs. Resortowners can provide venues for coastal activities such ascoastal clean-up campaigns in support for informationdissemination. Likewise, they can participate instakeholders discussion on coastal planning and strategyformulations.

D. Academe and Research InstitutionsResearch institutions and the academe may provide

technical assistance to the implementors by gathering baseline information and monitoring changes, giverecommendations based on scientific findings, and assist in providing technical expertise for capacity building. Theymay be the ones to provide timely information and currentuseful and relevant scientific findings for decision-makersand the public. These can be done by conducting studies thatinclude patterns, projections and consequences of bothclimate variability and change. Also, associated uncertaintiesand knowledge gaps that would lead to informed-decision orenvironmental protection, socio-economic development and

enhancement, and vulnerability reduction must be identified.Generation of localized models for predicting local/regionalclimate considering topography, land-use patterns, and thesurface hydrologic cycle is deemed important as basis fordecision-making. Also, utilization of proxies (e.g.seagrasses) to determine climate variability will beinvaluable tools in understanding climate dynamics [8].There are still large knowledge gaps especially here in thePhilippines, on the coastal and marine ecosystems dynamics


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and their responses to climate change and variability.Clearly, we need more research efforts on these areas (i.e.bleaching and algal blooms) including other resources, suchas the response of mangroves, seagrasses, and marinemammals among others [21].

E. Non-government organizations (NGOs)These organizations and other supporting institutions

have a crucial role to play in information disseminationespecially translating technical information for publicunderstanding. They are also actors in conducting capacitybuilding activities in collaboration with the local governmentunits and the research/academic institutions. Information,education and communication are very much essential alongthe technical and scientific efforts to achieve a well-balancedadaptation plan. This will entail promotion of awarenessabout the science of climate change, impacts, and solutions.Communication specialists are also needed to help raise thelevel of awareness of the public on ways to contribute in the

adaptation efforts, and at the same time, influence policy anddecision makers and the community leaders to action.

As social beings we have responsibilities to be involvedin these issues. Several adaptation measures are options forus to address the situation. But evidently, these should entaila holistic, multi-sectoral approach complemented with apersonal level initiative. A change of mind set is necessary.Figures are facts. No matter how we treat this in aconservative manner, we can not ignore the impacts ofclimate change. Responding with responsibility must startwith the individual. However, we have the option to be onthe safer side. Climate change is one phenomenon that isreal. We do not need more evidences to prove that the planetis indeed getting warmer. True enough, we are facing thischange and we should act with urgency.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank WY Licuanan, N Palomar-Abesamis, MCC Quibilan, IU Baula, JA Canivel, J Ong, PZamora and the UP-NIGS Marine Geology Laboratory for providing references; klima team, T Malaga, J Tiu-Maquiling, RC Geronimo, AB Capili for the invaluablesuggestions and moral support; USAID Philippines, klimaClimate Change Center, Manila Observatory and OCEANS2005 Organizers for financial assistance.

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Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation on Philippine Coasts