Higher tree cover leads to 81% drop in Philippines' carbon emissions

Higher tree cover leads to 81% drop in Philippines' carbon emissions
11/27/2009 | 01:47 PM 
In contrast to the global trend, the Philippines has registered a drop of 81 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions in the previous decade as more trees absorbed pollution coming from the energy sector, according to a report released Friday.

The use of fossil fuels such as oil and coal for energy consumption are responsible for majority of the total emissions at 55 per cent, the report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Greenhouse gases from agricultural activities accounted for 29 per cent of emissions while waste contributed nine per cent and industrial processes made up seven per cent of the total emissions of 126,878 kilotons, according to the report.

Out of this figure, however, activities in the so-called land use change and forestry sector that measures trends in tree cover, among other factors, was found to have absorbed 107,387 kilotons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Even though greenhouse gas emissions went up, offsets from higher vegetation reduced the country’s total emissions to 19,491 kilotons made up mainly of methane and nitrous oxide gases, said the report, which is based on 1994-2000 data.

“What this is telling us is that our forests, our biomass that’s there, is an important resource. It's an asset. It actually helps offset our other emissions as a country," said Fr. Jett Villarin, science adviser of the Manila Observatory based at the Ateneo de Manila University and team leader of the inventory report.

The figure represents a significant drop of 81 per cent from the previous figure of 100,740 kilotons of greenhouse gas emissions in the previous report submitted in 1999, based on 1990-1994 data.



Isagani Serrano, president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), described the results as “counter-intuitive" for bucking the trend in other developing nations, where carbon emissions are increasing along with economic growth.

The DENR commissioned the PRRM and the Manila Observatory to prepare the report, which was presented at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati.

According to the report, the Philippines is a “net sink" of 35,113.5 kilotons of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas coming from human activities that scientists have deemed responsible for global climate change. This means the country absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits into the atmosphere.

Not comparable

The report represents the 2nd national communication of the Philippines as part of its obligation as a member country of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is holding a landmark conference in Copenhagen next month.

Fr. Villarin cautioned against making comparisons between the two reports however, saying “in 1994, the initial report was used with old data, and old emission factors. That’s why we’re comparing apples and oranges. In fact, we may have been a sink then also, once we apply what we've done in 2000 in 1990."

The latest figures are consistent with previous findings from the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the DENR that the country’s forest cover is growing due to the establishment of tree plantations and the substantial decrease in the area covered by logging concessions.

According to FMB statistics, the Philippines had a forest cover of 10.5 million hectares in 1969 when the first forest inventory was done. The figure dropped significantly to 6.5 million hectares in the second forest inventory in 1987, mainly as a result of commercial logging activities during the Martial Law years. In the latest forest mapping activity in 2003, however, the country’s forest cover had risen slightly to 7.2 million hectares.

“Many things were underestimated in the initial communication, I think agro-forestry, upland farms," said Fr. Villarin, adding that many grassland areas had been replanted to coconuts and other trees in 2000. “When you do that you bring in carbon," he noted, resulting in higher absorption of carbon dioxide emissions. 

“When I see the 2000 inventory, I see that as the main driver-- the conversion of what used to be wasted landscape now being used for economic reasons, for business. But this is not necessarily reforestation," he added. “There can be deforestation happening, I'm sure there is, that's also offset by these other things that are regrowing." – Pia Faustino and Yasmin Arquiza, GMANews.TV

Pawikan Conservation Center | Tourism Paradise Philippines

http://tourism-philippines.com/pawikan-conservation/
The ultimate patriots, the Pawikans (Filipino for Marine Turtles) return after 25-30 years and go back to where they were hatched to lay eggs. This cycle remained unbroken for ages until recently when these beautiful sea animals have become highly threatened for extinction, due to poaching and hunting- their numbers are alarmingly dwindling. The time is now to take action. Read on and learn how you or your organization can help.

Blog Action Day 2009: PHILIPPINES: Ketsana underscores climate change imperative

Blog Action Day 2009: PHILIPPINES: Ketsana underscores climate change imperative

Photo: Jason Gutierrez/IRIN

A father carries his daughter on his back as they wade through putrid, brown flood water in suburban Pasig District in Manila. At least 246 people were killed by Ketsana on 26 September

BANGKOK, 30 September 2009 (IRIN) - The devastation and loss of life in the Philippines from tropical storm Ketsana is a strong indicator of events to come if industrialized nations fail to adequately tackle climate change, Filipino officials warn. 

The Philippines government has requested international humanitarian assistance and is undertaking massive relief operations after Ketsana struck the country on 26 September, leaving at least 246 people dead and more than 730,000 displaced, according to the country'sNational Disaster Coordinating Council. 

Three days later, Ketsana pummelled Vietnam's central coast and has moved on to Cambodia, leaving dozens dead in its wake. 

Philippine officials said the storm underscored the need for progress in the talks about a new deal under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty (UNFCCC) under way in Bangkok, and for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. 

"The death, the pain and the damage in the Philippines help us to understand the necessity of an earnest negotiation," Heherson Alvarez, head of the Philippine delegation to the talks and presidential adviser on climate change, told reporters. 

Countries at the climate change talks in Bangkok are arguing over the burden of cuts in greenhouse gases and Alvarez urged industrialized nations to commit to substantial reductions. 

"We should cut deep and cut early in order to moderate these destructive typhoons," he said. "Think of Manila. Think of what can happen in this world." 

Alvarez said the Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons a year; they have been increasing in speed over the past 30 years from 100km to up to 200km per hour. 

The Philippines is gathering scientific data to show the effects of climate change on the country, but Alvarez said there was evidence to show a correlation between an increase in the level of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and the severity of typhoons. 

"We have no other reason to believe that these are desultory events," he said. 

Graciano Yumul, under-secretary at the Philippine government's national Department of Science and Technology, pointed to changing weather patterns in the world's second largest archipelago nation, including rain during the country's normally dry summer months from April to June. 

During summer this year, "a lot of people died because three typhoons hit the country. Summer is supposed to be dry, not wet," said Yumul. 

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86362

REVERSE CHRISTMAS - Earth Hour Philippines 2009 Official Video

Update:

Makati was chosen amongst the global flagship cities of Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour is supported by the Philippine Government with Malacañang Palace (Presidential Palace) switched off its lights last year. Earth Hour is also supported by the Church, Businessmen and all the major media networks.

Last year, 1M Filipinos switched off their lights in support, this year is slated to be bigger.

Switch Off to Support Earth!

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From WWF Philippines:

Earth Hour Approaches
Filipinos Urged to Spread the Word

With days to go before the world switches off for Earth Hour 2009, WWF-Philippines calls on the social networking community to spread the Earth Hour message through e-groups, blogs, web videos and texts.

“The commitments of support grow with each day. We urge everyone to spread the word and join millions throughout the world by switching-off lights from 8:30 to 9:30pm on Saturday night, 28 March. This is our chance to show the world what our Bayanihan spirit can do, for only when we act as one will Earth Hour be successful,” says Earth Hour National Director Yeb Saño.

Earth Hour is a massive social movement aimed to mobilize action against climate change through the simple act of turning off lights.

Launched in Australia on 31 March 2007, Earth Hour moved over two million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for 60 minutes – hence the movement’s logo. This captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world, giving rise to Earth Hour 2008 – where 50 million people in 370 cities followed suit. New York’s Times Square, Rome’s Coliseum and even the remote Casey Station in Antarctica plunged into darkness.

The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to pledge support. Its flagship cities of Pasay, Manila, Parañaque and Makati observed a switch-off ceremony and enveloped the entire Roxas Boulevard seaside strip in symbolic darkness. Popular landmarks such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Mall of Asia were blanketed in darkness. Lights-out activities were instigated by a million Filipinos in over 50 major towns and cities across the nation.

“Earth Hour 2008 remains the country’s largest environmental action. Last year, total power savings amounted to 80MWh. 56MWh was saved in Luzon alone – equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant for one hour. More important than the power we saved was the awareness and positive action generated. This year, Earth Hour 2009 hopes to inspire at least 10 million Filipinos to unite and act for the environment,” explains Saño.

Earth Hour is an initiative of WWF, the Department of Energy, Green Army Network and SWITCH movement. Over a hundred corporations, schools, public and private organizations have now pledged support. The roster of supporters grows by the hour.

Numerous institutional partners such as the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry, Boy and Girl Scouts, CBCP, Department of Education, Earth Day Network, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, League of Corporate Foundations, National Electrification Administration, National Historical Institute, Outdoor Advertiser’s Association of the Philippines, Philippine Jaycees, Renewable Energy Coalition, Rotary Club and World Youth Alliance have also pledged support.

The Department of Energy has given its full backing for the movement. "This is a cause that should unite us as Filipinos and as citizens of the world," declares DOE Secretary Angelo Reyes. Adds WWF-Vice Chairman and CEO Lory Tan, “Will Earth Hour alone stop climate change? No. But it is a statement that we will not go down without a fight.”

The global aim of Earth Hour is to secure the participation of one billion people in 1000 cities globally. Already over 1500 cities in 80 countries including the United States, China, Russia and India have signed on.

“It is hoped that this global gesture will send a clear message for world leaders to take strong and decisive action against climate change,” explains Saño. Top leaders will meet in Copenhagen this coming December to craft a post-Kyoto policy for tackling the world’s mounting problems on climate change. “The strength of our message ultimately depends on how many Filipinos will join in.”

Compute your Carbon Footprint!

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Ever wondered how your daily tasks impact our environment? Compute it! Here's how!