A recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in the Philippines revealed that 9 out of 10 Filipino adults felt the impacts of the climate crisis in the past three years. The survey was conducted nationwide in November 2020 and involved face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adult respondents.
According to the SWS report, among those who experienced the impacts of climate change, 61% said that they were affected by stronger typhoons or heavier rainfall, while 19% mentioned longer dry spells or droughts. Additionally, 9% of the respondents said that they were affected by rising sea levels or coastal flooding, while 5% mentioned landslides or soil erosion.
The study also found that 58% of Filipinos remain optimistic that the effects of the climate crisis can still be reversed or stopped, while 32% believed that it cannot be reversed or stopped. The remaining 10% of the respondents had no opinion on the matter.
The report emphasized the urgent need for climate action to address impacts, such as increased intensity of typhoons, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels. It also called for more efforts to raise awareness on climate change and encourage individuals and communities to take action to mitigate its adverse effects.
The Philippines is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, exposed to multiple climate hazards, such as typhoons, flooding, and drought. It is also prone to landslides and sea-level rise. The country has already experienced several severe natural disasters in recent years, including Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which caused over 6,000 fatalities and damages worth $2 billion.
The government has implemented various initiatives to address climate change, such as the Climate Change Act of 2009, the National Climate Change Action Plan, and the recently enacted Philippine Clean Energy Act. The country has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.
However, experts and activists have criticized the government’s lack of effective implementation of these policies and insufficient investment in climate adaptation and mitigation programs. They have called for more urgent action to address the impacts of climate change and protect vulnerable communities.
In conclusion, the SWS survey highlights the severity of climate impacts in the Philippines, with the majority of the population affected in some way or another. While there is still optimism, urgent and more comprehensive action needs to be taken to mitigate future risks and ensure the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.
