Oct 2, 2009

ABSCBNnews: RP floods a wake-up call for climate change

Date Originally Posted:  September 29, 2009
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/29/09/rp-must-prepare-climate-change-environmentalist

Post content: ABS-CBN news article quotes various environmental experts, among them Nick Perlas, on their thoughts about climate change in the Philippines, especially in the Ondoy aftermath. Excerpt below:
MANILA - Extreme weather disturbances similar to tropical storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) will happen more frequently because of climate change, according to environmentalist and global expert on integral sustainable development Nicanor Perlas.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's "The Big Picture", Perlas said the Philippine government should prepare for more major storms by improving telecommunications systems, identifying strategic evacuation areas, stocking up on rubber boats and amphibious vehicles and relocating people living near waterways.

"Something similar happened last year in June with Typhoon Frank. It slammed into Panay and that was the worst weather experienced in memory in Panay. And that typhoon caused damages of P17 billion, which was the largest damage of a single typhoon. Normally, all the 22 typhoons that hit the country, they total to P15 billion to P16 billion a year and I was saying that was a warning that we're entering the global age of climate change and the government should be preparing for this," he said.