Conference Stresses Human Intervention to Save Biodiversity from Climate Change

Government leaders yesterday (Feb. 1) reiterated the need for a concerted human action against climate change and save biodiversity, in an international gathering of around 700 researchers, scientists, academicians, policy makers and representatives from related organizations around the world.

Leading the call was Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), whose message was delivered by Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi as part of the opening program, kicking off the three-day International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The conference was jointly organized by the DENR and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), together with other collaborators from the private and public sectors as well as the international community.

In his speech, Paje underscored the dynamic relationship between climate change and biodiversity and their effects on each other. Noting that although climate change plays a large part in a possible mass extinction of species, Paje revealed that “some life forms have adapted to conditions which are hostile to other species, and may prove useful in helping us mitigate and adapt to climate change.”

Paje stressed, however, the importance of human intervention since most species are vulnerable especially with loss of habitat. Because of this, he said they are expected to move into areas populated by humans, which could create havoc on ecological food chains and impact on human food security, public health and safety.

The environment chief further warned that with the extinction of species representing a loss of potential solutions to problems such as food security, malnutrition, public health, and pollution, “aggravation of biodiversity loss, or even its mere toleration, may therefore be seen as a crime against humanity and against life itself.”

Paje also lauded co-organizer CHED, noting the necessity of engaging institutes of higher learning to bridge knowledge gaps and create data bases for decisions, policies and actions.

He likewise announced the commitment of the Department of Education in the involvement of 14 million students in an upcoming national greening program that will aim to reforest 1.5 million hectares in five years.

In a separate press conference held on the event, DENR Undersecretary Gerochi expounded on the agreement between the academe and environment sectors in the national greening program dubbed “Forests for the Future,” where students will plant fruit-bearing trees in identified areas, mostly upland or within protected areas. These trees will then be maintained by the upland communities. “The principle is for people to use the fruits, not the trees,” said Gerochi. “We need these trees to mitigate climate change.”

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and guest speaker for the conference, expressed approval for the program, along with Renaud Meyer, Country Director for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Aside from fighting climate change, Legarda added that “tilling even 1 million hectares out of 8 million hectares of unutilized land could also provide employment to a million Filipinos.”

Meyer emphasized the necessity for local governments to look into existing development plans which should consider climate scenarios, and suggested budgetary allocations for advocacy and communication. “Let us put our efforts and investments on prevention and education so that we will spend less on recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.-30-