Monday, April 16, 2012

Study to assess climate change’s negative impact

The Sun Star (Philippines): Coastal areas of Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte was identified in a study by the National Government as one of the three bays in the country, which is being aimed to assess the negative impact of climate change.

The project, which is in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, will find out the susceptibility to climate change in six Southern Leyte towns surrounding the bay.

“Coastal barangays in those areas have patches of mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grasses. Increasing population close to the mangrove areas is major threat to these already critical resources,” said DOST Regional Director and Project Leader Edgardo Esperancilla. The official said potential climate change impacts that will be looked into are coastal erosion, landslide, loss of livelihood, loss of lives, dwindling fish catch and farm output.

...“The area has not yet experienced major disaster as resulting from climate change impacts but all of the municipalities around Sogod have already put into place disaster contingency plans and are ready in the event of disasters such as typhoons and flooding,” Esperancilla said....

Sogod Bay seen from Mt. Patag Daku, Talisay, Libagon, Southern Leyte, shot by Libagonian, public domain

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