30% of PH coastal LGUs may be submerged by 2050 — Climate Change Commission

Nearly a third of the Philippines' local government units at coastal areas may be submerged by 2050, even if current targets for global warming temperatures are achieved, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) said Wednesday.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries have agreed to reduce global greenhouse emissions and keep the global average surface temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, and strive to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, CCC Commissioner Albert dela Cruz Sr. said that even if the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature goal is reached, this would still submerge 10% of the Philippine coastal LGUs by 2030, and 30% by 2050.

"Sixty percent ng mga local government natin nasa coastal area, at [sa] 60% na 'yan, 30% po ang lulubog… This is [by] 2050, pero it can be earlier. If [global warming] will breach 2°C, mas malala po diyan," Dela Cruz told reporters at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

(Sixty percent of our local governments are located at coastal areas. Of this 60%, 30% will be underwater… This is [by] 2050, but it can be earlier. If [global warming] will breach 2°C, it may be worse.)

During the event, the CCC showed a prediction map indicating that a 1.5-degree Celsius scenario would leave multiple areas in Bulacan, Pampanga, and some parts of Metro Manila underwater.

Dela Cruz said the commission is now working with the private sector to calculate emissions that would help ease the effects of global warming.

He also noted that it was possible to mitigate the effects of global warming with the help of engineering and key government policies.

"We have to look into kung papaano 'yung interplay between corruption ang climate change. Totoong may pagbabago ng klima, [but] this is one of the characteristics of a living planet, 'yung pagbabago. The only thing na problema is the abnormality of the speed. That is why we are campaigning for adaptation," he said.

(We have to look into how the interplay between corruption and climate change works. It's true that there is a change in climates, [but] change is one of the characteristics of a living planet. The only problem is the abnormality of the speed. That is why we are campaigning for adaptation.)

"We need to fit in, kailangan makapagangkop tayo sa nagbabagong klima or else magkakaroon ng problema sa survival of the fittest. The weakest link ay ang tao. Siya ang di makapag-adapt kaagad," he added.

(We need to fit in, we need to adapt to the change in climates or else there will be a problem with survival of the fittest. Humans are the weakest link. We are the ones that are unable to immediately adapt.)

In a report by United Nations, the effects of climate change worldwide would include hotter temperatures, more severe storms, increased drought, rising oceans, loss of species, lack of food, health risks, poverty, and displacement. — VDV, GMA Integrated News