MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 19, 2013) – The Philippines is studying ways of making the country’s protected areas climate-smart to help better conserve these sites which receive protection for respective natural, ecological and cultural values, according to state media.
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera raised urgency for such move, noting experts already warned archipelagic Philippines is among nations that are most vulnerable to climate change, according to the Philippines News Agency.
“Our protected areas risk destruction from climate change impacts like sea level and temperature rise as well as increasing onslaught of weather extremes,” he said.
The Philippines has about 240 protected areas that vary from forests to freshwater and marine habitats. The country ranked third among nations most vulnerable to climate change, the 2011 World Risk Index report said.
Available data also show the country experienced more disasters than any other nation since 1900. The Philippines is also highly susceptible to flooding and inundation, being composed of low-lying islands and having 70% of its cities and municipalities along the coast. (Catherine Teves)
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