Enhancing Food Security in the Context of Climate Change and the Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines

Issue Date

1-2010

Abstract

Growing evidence of global climate change, specifically in the Philippines, has forced us to respond to its impacts to ensure the wellbeing of our people.
Scientists are in agreement that, over the last 150 years, the Earth has warmed by 0.7°C. In the Philippines, the projected increase in temperature, based on the trend for the period 1951-2006, is in the range of 0.8-2.4°C by 2050. Reduced rainfall has also been noted in some areas, particularly during El Niño events, whereas there has been an increase in rainfall over Western Visayas. Also, the number of tropical cyclones appearing in the Western Pacific seems to be increasing, but no individual tropical cyclones can be directly attributed to climate change.
Climate change is expected to have adverse impacts on many sectors. Sea level rise is a threat to coastal communities and island ecosystems. Weather changes and climate variability could severely affect coastal fisheries because of flooding and coral bleaching. Limited rainfall during the growing season and excessive rainfall during wet months are expected to cause a decline in agricultural productivity; coupled with population increases, this could place more people at risk from hunger. Typhoons such as Ondoy and Pepeng have caused extensive damage to life, property, and agriculture in the Philippines. These two typhoons have triggered speculation of food insecurity and have forced the national government to address the challenges brought about by climate change. This challenge is presented here with respect to the potential role of tertiary educational institutions—how do we enhance our people's capacity to adapt to changes in climate?

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Developments in Sustainable Agriculture

ISSN

1880-3024

Volume

5

Issue

1

Page

47-63

Document Type

Article

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

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