Page 46 - SB volume 12 for web

SUPERBRAND ACADEMY

THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES

THREAT TO WATER SUPPLIES
Climate change is already causing water scarcity by lowering
the quality and quantity of available water. Extreme rainfall
causes floods and landslides, which increase runoff, impair
water quality, and destroy water supply infrastructure.

In around a quarter of the Philippines’ coastal districts,
water quality is affected by saltwater intrusion into coastal
aquifers; this is likely to worsen as sea levels rise.

EFFECTS ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Wildfires are becoming more common due to drought
conditions, believed to be exacerbated by climate
change and El Niño. Between 2000 and 2006, these
fires devastated large tracts of forest, totaling around
15,700 hectares.

Furthermore, increased temperatures and humidity in these
places have been linked to the spread of invasive plants and
insects in natural ecosystems.

IMPACT ON HEALTH
Heavier rains and rising temperatures both help mosquitos
grow and survive; thus, health risks from mosquito-borne
diseases including diarrhea, dengue fever, and malaria are
predicted to worsen. Although malaria rates have declined
considerably in recent years, dengue epidemics still occur
every 3–4 years, and diarrhea remained the fifth most
common cause of death in 2010.

IMPACT ON ENERGY SUPPLIES
Climate change could impact the Philippines’ energy supply,
as well as increasing energy consumption due to increased
demand for air conditioning. Hydropower production,
which accounts for 20% of the country’s energy supply, is
threatened by climate change-related water scarcity.

For example, drought reduced hydropower production by
20% in 2010 compared to the previous year. Other key energy
infrastructure, such as the Malampaya offshore natural gas
field, is at risk from stronger and more frequent storms.

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