News

To assess the current science on sea level rise and to identify gaps in information gathering, monitoring, and dissemination in the country, the Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) and its National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE), in partnership with the Oscar M. Lopez Center, hosted an online forum entitled “Taking Stock: Why Should We be Concerned About Climate and Sea Level Changes?” on 5 August 2020.

With more than 180 attendees, the forum discussed the observed and projected changes and impacts of sea level rise in the Philippines from the perspectives of various experts and reactions from different stakeholders, including GIZ Philippines, represented by Dr. Bjoern Surborg, Principal Advisor and Cluster Coordinator for Climate Change.

According to CCC Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman, “This forum is one important step toward a broader cooperation across sectors on dealing with the increasing threat of rising sea levels to our communities. Rest assured that the Climate Change Commission shall continue to advance research on the slow onset impacts of climate change in the country. We shall also hold more online learning exchanges such as this — experts’ forums that inform and explain climate science to the public.”

The forum shared good practices, innovative technologies, and latest policy reforms on sea level rise. It is part of a multi-year comprehensive study assessing the likely impacts of different climate change scenarios on sea level rise and associated hazards. The study will look at key hotspots as case studies in selected cities of the Philippines and will include coastal mapping and decision-making tools.

More than 182 participants attended, mostly from the academe and local and international research institutions, government agencies, policy makers, and organizations which are leading community-based initiatives. This event is part of a series of the National Panel of Technical Experts’ Fora aiming to mobilize community-based climate action and mainstream climate change knowledge into development policies and practices. The full discussion of Taking stock: Why should we be concerned about the climate and sea level changes? can be accessed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ9Vr9Yduss&list=PLOWeRyX1mB4wObVtKi6DUhuq2EvEMQ4_E

Part 2 of this online forum will be announced in the Facebook pages of the Climate Change Commission at Climate Change Commission PH, and the Oscar M. Lopez Center at Oscar M. Lopez Center.

The presenters included Dr. Benjamin Horton, Director of Earth Observatory of Singapore; Dr. Laura David, Director of the University of the Philippines – Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI); Dr. Fernando Siringan, Professor of UP-MSI; Dr. Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development; and Dr. Ma. Laurice Jamero, Head for Resilience Collaboratory of the Manila Observatory.

The forum also featured responses from different stakeholders, including Dr. Eulito Casas, Associate Professor of UP Visayas Tacloban College; and Atty. Josine Alexandra Gamboa, Manager for Government Initiatives of RARE Inc.

Contact person: Meg Yandoc, Senior Advisor, SSCIS at maria.yandoc@giz.de