Insight into Environmental Change: Its Powerful Adverse Effects

        Filipinos have been facing various naturally occurring calamities and the impacts of climate change. While we cannot avoid these events, as they occur naturally, we can take steps to prevent them from causing greater harm through preparedness and safety precautions. It is alarming to see that calamities have become more frequent, whereas in the past, they did not occur as often. The adverse effects of these changes are evident: they claim many lives, destroy homes, and cause widespread damage to essential resources and infrastructure. Rebuilding and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure takes time and significant financial resources.

    Weather patterns have undergone significant shifts over the past few decades, causing typhoons to become more powerful, droughts to last longer, sea levels to rise, and rainfall to become increasingly erratic. Across the nation, these environmental changes are transforming communities, livelihoods, and lives. They are not just abstract concepts but real challenges that impact millions of Filipinos. In the face of continuous environmental changes, the resilience of Filipinos is more important than ever as we confront the challenges brought on by climate change.

    Human health is also suffering due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. In recent years, heatwaves in the Philippines have become longer and more intense, especially in urban areas. Prolonged heat can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly are at greater risk. Poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate the effects of heat, making cities less livable as the country continues to urbanize.

    The Filipino people are known for their resilience in the face of adversity. Filipinos are recognized for their determination, resourcefulness, and strong sense of community in times of calamity. Typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other disasters have repeatedly tested this resilience. However, resilience is not just about enduring adversity—it also involves actively seeking long-term solutions. The international community must also recognize that climate change is not only an environmental issue but a social and economic one. Developed nations, which have historically contributed the most to carbon emissions, must fulfill their commitments to reduce emissions and support vulnerable countries like the Philippines in adapting to climate change.

Picture References: 
-https://thepost.net.ph/opinion/student-vox/resiliency-has-never-been-a-bad-thing/
-https://ibtekr.org/en/cases/innovative-natural-disaster-preparedness-program-in-the-philippines/
-https://th.boell.org/en/2022/01/21/climate-disasters-philippines