MY POINT OF VIEW: Industries are large producer of carbon dioxide and industrial waste, contributory to the impact of climate change

 

Rescue operations from Tropical storm Nalgae (Local name "Paeng"), an impact of climate change, struck in Parang, Maguidanao, 28 Oct. 2022.

 

By Jun Enriquez (President, Manggaggawang Media ng Mindanaw – MMM)

I was amazed of my research about climate change why is it happening in our environment today. I am sharing this information so that the people will know the causes and effects of climate change as a big challenge to humanity at the present times. This is also calling the attention of those responsible institutions to control their carbon dioxide emissions and industrial waste, including the local government concerning the Solid waste that produces leachate in water pollution. 

Based on the scientific study, as agreed on Kyoto protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005, aimed to reduce greenhouse emissions from industrialized countries with 84 signatories.

In 2003, Philippines ratified the Kyoto protocol and legislated laws for the protection of the environment, such as, RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Act of 1997 ; RA 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999; RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; RA 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, that creates a comprehensive water quality management scheme; RA 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Act of 2008 that promotes national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance towards sustained national development; RA 9513 or the renewable energy act of 2008 that promotes the development, utilization and commercialization of renewable energy resources. The Climate change Act of 2009, RA 9729 creating the Climate change commission (CCC), chaired by the President, a climate policymaking body of the government, with two supporting bodies, the Climate change advisory board, and the National panel of technical experts, composed of the country’s climate scientists.

The Conference of parties in Paris, on 12 December 2015, the parties reached a landmark agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Agreement also deal with the impacts of climate change, and at making finance flows consistent with a low GHG emissions and climate resilient pathway. The agreement also provides for an enhanced transparency framework.    

COP 27 Climate Summit in Egypt, 22 Nov. 2022

 During the holding of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, held 6-20 November 2022, delivering the Paris Agreement. Climate change is already causing shifts in growing seasons and increased dry spells and heavy rainfall. This has contributed to the growth of malnourishment and the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and yellow fever. Africans, in more senses than one, are now paying the bill for climate change-related adverse effects caused by the historical emissions of developed countries. As the COP27 host, Egypt aims to shift the focus from negotiations and planning to action on the ground, where it is most needed. This calls for immediate action to adapt to climate change, while also slashing emissions. But adaptation has so far drawn little attention, and finance, compared to mitigation. Developed countries under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement are required to assist developing countries meet the costs of adapting to the adverse effects of climate change. Adaptation is good for the economy as investing US$1.8 trillion in adaptation between 2020 and 2030 could generate US$7.1 trillion in benefits. At COP26, developed countries agreed to double financial support for adaptation to US$40 billion per year, but they have not yet met this goal even as African countries said they need about US$700 billion per year from 2025 to adapt. To reflect Africa’s needs and other developing countries, solidarity is key to breaking the stalemate and unlocking the finance needed to cut emissions, build resilience and secure sustainable food and energy systems.

Taking the issue of Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. The average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. Globally, the average carbon footprint per year needs to drop to under 2 tons by 2050. By making small changes to our actions will be based on eating less meat, taking fewer connecting flights and line drying our clothes, among others, so we can start making a big difference.

In Coal production, Australia is the largest producer of coal followed by Indonesia and Russia. China, Japan, India and South Korea are the big importers of coal around the globe. Philippines is the third largest importer of coal from Indonesia, next to India and China. 

Please bear in mind that we welcome economic development, but not to the extent at the expense of our environment. Carbon dioxide emissions can be found in the production of energy using fossil fuel, such as coal, diesel fuel, and bunker fuel. Natural gas and the production of chemical products will emit Methane gas (CH4), and Greenhouse gas (GHG) respectively that emits 75 percent carbon dioxide with other chemical compounds. Manufactured chemicals will produce chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that will deplete the Ozone layer, in as far as 15-30 kilometers high from the Earth’s surface. The CFCs in Methane gas and GHG is 10,000 times warming effect more than the carbon dioxide.   

You will also notice the cement production using limestone or Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as its main raw material when heated will emit 44 percent carbon dioxide (CO2). The balance equation will simply show the following chemical formula: CaCO3 + heat = CaO + CO2.  This is basic chemistry which is very important for us to learn to know how much CO2 emissions produced from industrial production.  If the cement industry will process 100 metric tons of limestone (CaCO3) heated to produce cement product per day, then it will produce 44 metric tons or 44,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide daily.

Talking about coal, mostly of high grade coal mineral can be found in Indonesia, one of the the biggest deposit and producer of coal mineral in the world next to Australia. Based on scientific study, coal has 80-90 percent carbon use as fossil fuel in energy production. The burning of coal will produce at least 207 percent carbon dioxide. A kilogram of coal when burned will produce 2.07 kilogram of carbon dioxide. If a certain coal-fired power plant will burn 100 metric tons of coal fuel per day, then it will produce 207 metric tons or 207,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide daily.    

Super Typhoon Noru (Karding) submerged San Miguel, Bulacan, 25 sEPT 2022

 

 

 

What will be the alternative to balance our environment for climate action. Based on environmental study, in one hectare land area will plant 500 trees to arrest carbon dioxide. A tree will last for 100 years and will absorbed 24 kilograms of carbon dioxide called carbon offset and stay in branches, stem and roots. Therefore, in one hectare of 500 trees will have a carbon offset to a total of 12,000 kilograms or 12 metric tons. That’s why, when a tree will be cut, the carbon offset inside the tree will be released to the atmosphere. In one hectare of grasses will sequester 1,634 kilograms of GHG annually, called carbon sink. Likewise, the one hectare of grasses will be able to produce oxygen for 18 people to breath. However, based on the study of Essential Ecosystem Approach to Fishery management (EAFM), seagrasses will produce 35 percent more oxygen than the grasses in the landscapes.  

In my point of view, this is to emphasize that we are now facing the challenges of climate change, a global phenomenon. This aims to reduce global warming through the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, contributory to mitigate climate change. Hope our Philippine government, above all, will seriously prioritized the climate action to bring the temperature way below from 1.98 degrees Celsius down to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030 for safer environment to live on. (Photos: Ph Coast guard Maguindanao; UNOCHA; Internet)

PM stands modern Andres Bonifacio in the fight for the rights and welfare of Filipino workers

 

Activism is not terrorism, must be understood intellectually, it's a Human Rights!

By Jun Enriquez (Pres., Manggagawang Media ng Mindanaw - MMM)

Iligan City - In a press statement released by the Partido Manggagawa (PM), dated November 30, Wednesday, said Filipino workers will never support any war even with the renewed assurance that the US will go side-by-side with the Philippines as provided under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), said Partido Manggagawa (PM) in a statement, following US Vice President Kamala Harris’ meeting with President Marcos last November 21, Monday. “We are for demilitarization and de-escalation of war threats in the West Philippine Sea and other regional flashpoints,” declared PM Chair Renato Magtubo, stating that the endless warmongerings between the two superpowers on WPS and Taiwan disputes do not serve the interest of the working people.

Magtubo argued that in every imperialist war, only foot soldiers and workers die in battle while the emperors and their generals partake with the booty. In the case of the Philippines, a war in the region is to the delight of giants whose agenda is global hegemony and control of trade routes. “Hence, we call on governments of both the US and China to back off, demilitarize the oceans and let the peace-loving people of Asia enjoy genuine cooperation in the region,” said Magtubo.

The group asserts that rather than annihilation, war is better waged against poverty and inequality especially at a time the world’s people are facing multiple crises in health, the economy, and climate. “In fact, Filipino workers have their own war to win - a Wage Increase for Wage Recovery or WIN WAR that the government of President Marcos must seriously address,” said Magtubo. PM has been calling for a wage increase of P100 across-the-board to recover lost value of wages due to soaring inflation.

PM leader Wilson Fortaleza, expressed concern on war and exploitation during the online forum commemorated the Bonifacio day celebration, November 30, Wednesday. He said the world is now on politics of control, the control of resources and nations, a global hegemony imperialism. But the Filipino workers have its own war, the war on poverty urging the government to provide more jobs and reasonable wages. Fortaleza said during the pre-colonial period, there was the existence of Maharlika type of governance, led by the Datus and Sultans, the so called, “Bayanihan” spirit, the native socialism united socially and economically despite cultural diversity.

Historically, there was a sharing of resources by the Maharlikans called “barter” economy without controlling. This represents the respects of each other’s culture, co-exists and living peacefully. The social conditions of peace was change into conflict situation, upon the coming of Spanish colonizers for the control of the Maharlikan people and exploit its resources, the reasons of the heavy resistance from revolution led by Andres Bonifacio.

My Point of View: Is Climate Change a man-made or natural disaster?

 

Typhoon "Paeng" flattened into ground zero in Kusiong, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, 29 Oct. 
2022. (Photo by| M. Ibrahim/ UNHCR.)

 

By Jun Enriquez (President, Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao – MMM)

The unexpected tragedy of sever tropical storm Nalgae (local name “Paeng”) is very worrying because it was the first time people in Maguindanao and Cotabato areas experienced such a worst kind of disaster due to continued heavy rains in few days’ time prior to the typhoon Paeng smashed on October 29. According to government reports, there were more than 2,000,000 people affected by STS Nalgae and at least 863,000 people are seeking temporary shelter inside 2,801 evacuation centers or with their friends and family. Government record at least 121 people died, with 103 persons injured and 36 others are still missing. Information gathered, the awareness setting of the people was about “tsunami” but the actual scenario was mudslide, especially in Kusiong, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, was badly buried in the mud. There are at least 20 typhoons to strike in the Philippines yearly that brings disaster to people’s lives and properties, an impact of climate change.

Climate change was already discussed in my previous article but we will not stop collecting information to look at how to address the causes of climate change that results to disaster as its effects. In layman’s understanding, climate change is the result of extreme heat due to excessive emissions of carbon gases, CO2, because of the excessive use of fossil fuel in the modern industrial age makes warming environment faster evaporation of having more moisture form clouds. This creates high pressure pushes down and compressed hot air. More heat from the sun gets more evaporation of vapor produces heavy rains that will develop into typhoon.

The question now underlies the scenario, is climate change a man-made or natural disaster? Based on the preceding information, climate change is a man-made disaster. It simply explain the root causes of who produces more carbon gas emissions more heat, more usage of fossil fuels causes the rising of temperature in a hot environment, melts the ice in the north cause another scenario of disaster like what happened in Pakistan early this year that 1/3 of the country submerged in water due to the melting of ice.

If climate change will not be addressed, the next generations will be suffering and going back to the history of Noah’s age. Advance countries are more responsible of climate change because of the modern industrial age using fossil fuels and release more carbon gas emissions. Deforestation also one of the contributory factors of climate change because less forest reserves will absorb lesser carbon gas and release less oxygen gas naturally.  

Based on scientific study on global warming, global temperature will have a limit to 1.5 C based on the prevailing atmospheric temperature as a prevention of rising global warming. However, temperature in the Philippines goes beyond the limit at 1.98 C. Philippine government should take focus to overcome global warming in the country and mitigate climate change.

Again, in layman’s understanding, to mitigate climate change in the landscapes is to restore, protect and preserve forest reserves and conservations through the strict implementation of environmental laws to fully stop illegal logging, regulate slash and burn of trees, stop illegal mining, among others. All these illegal activities in the landscapes are considered to be the means of livelihood and economic activities. Best, the government should introduce alternative livelihood activities for economic development, especially in agriculture development and plant more trees.

The government must develop environment-friendly technology such as the Bamboo engineering industry as an alternative of wood industry for housing, buildings and other infrastructure. Bamboo is considered one of the tallest grasses in the world will helps more to mitigate climate change. There was already available Filipino technology on Bamboo industry locally owned and managed by experts Environmental Engineers based in Iligan City, the industrial city of the southern Philippines.

In this perspective, the government will be in the right direction in mitigating climate change. Having more trees will safely absorb more carbon gases and produce more oxygen gases to save nature.   

In another environmental study on seascapes, sea grasses will emit 35 percent more oxygen than the trees in the forests. Seascapes should be protected from water pollution and restore its habitation environment for the preservation of marine life. Having more emissions of oxygen will lower down global warming temperature and this will mitigate climate change. The fisherfolks community must be trained and educate of their responsibilities and strict implementation of fishery laws for the protection and preservation of the seascapes and avoid illegal fishing.   

In my point of view, it is best for the government to provide enough budgetary requirement on climate change actions from preventions to response before and after disaster. Climate change actions must be a priority in government programs on proactive measures, preparation and quick response to save lives. It is the primary responsibility of the government not to allow its people become collateral damage may be because of non-sensitivity on climate change. Government perspective should change its course in dealing with climate change seriously.

Documentary report: Disastrous STS Nalgae (Local name “Paeng”) left devastations in seventeen regions in the Phils

 

Photo taken on 29 October 2022 in Brgy. Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte  

buried in mud and rocks due to landslides caused by torrential rains."

© BIO| M. Ibrahim/ UNHCR

 By Jun Enriquez (President, Manggagawang Media ng Mindanaw - MMM)

Iligan City, Philippines - More than 2,000,000 people affected by severe tropical storm (STS) Nalgae (locally named Paeng) that made initial landfall in Catanduanes, Bicol region, on 29 October. All seventeen regions were affected by strong winds and heavy rains which has resulted in landslides and over 554 flooding incidents in various areas across the country, although half of which have subsided by now. According to government reports, at least 863,000 people are seeking temporary shelter inside 2,801 evacuation centers or with their friends and family.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its latest report have had recorded at least 121 people died, with 103 persons injured and 36 others are still missing.  At least 3.1 million individuals or 927,800 families affected by typhoon Paeng. A total of 11,294 houses were damaged, aggregated to 9,190 partially damaged and 2,104 totally damaged. The Department of Agriculture reported damaged to agriculture was estimated at least P1.3 billion and P3.4 billion for infrastructure.

Some 41 cities and municipalities in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Region 5 and Region 8 had communication problems, but only six regions have been restored according to the NDRRMC report. During the tragedy, out of the 119 airports and seaports affected, only around 23% have resumed their operations. Lifeline services (power, water, telecommunications) affected are currently being restored with the support of the private sector.

Prior to exiting the landmass, Nalgae made five landfalls: (1) Virac, Catanduanes, (2) Caramoan, Camarines Sur, (3) Buenavista, Quezon, (4) Santa Cruz, Marinduque and (5) San Juan, Batangas. While over the West Philippine Sea, the storm re-intensified into a severe tropical storm and leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on October 31.

STS Nalgae (locally named Paeng) has brought heavy rains and strong winds most severe in Regions 5, 6, 8, 12 and BARMM, over 557,000 are affected in BARMM only. At least 170,000 people are taking temporary shelter in and outside evacuation centers. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported that the storm left at least 45 people dead, injured 33 with 14 missing, due to flash floods and landslides. All numbers are expected to increase. Nalgae is the 16th tropical cyclone to form in the Philippines this season and has made five landfalls:

On 02 November 2022, President Marcos Jr. declared the four (4) regions hit the hardest by typhoon Nalgae under a state of calamity. These regions include Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Based on initial monitoring, several cities and municipalities in Mindanao were also reported to have issued resolutions declaring their areas under the state of calamity due to devastation brought by the typhoon.

The NDRRMC has been on Red Alert status since 27 October and has held several operational briefings prior to Nalgae's landfall on 29 October. As of 31 October, 158 local governments, including 1 region (BARMM) and three provinces (Aklan, Albay, Maguindanao) have already declared state of calamity, to utilize available resources of the government, the calamity fund for disaster response. Over US$877,000 (PHP 51 million) worth of humanitarian assistance has been provided to affected communities by government and humanitarian partners.

On 29 October, BARMM has declared a region-wide state of calamity due to STS Nalgae, directing all ministries and other government agencies to implement and execute search and rescue, medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work in line with plans and directives. The Bangsamoro Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council had activated its Emergency Operations Center. RDRRRMC also activated Incident Command Post (ICP) in area considered as ground zero in Kushiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. 

Damaged houses & roads in Kusiong, Maguindanao

 

According to the Bangsamoro Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, the flooding resulted in the contamination of sources of potable water and cut off the power supply in many areas in Maguindanao del Norte. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of BARMM has activated the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and food and non-food clusters. Education cluster led by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) was also activated.

The Humanitarian partners’ preparedness activities and coordination with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC), is closely monitoring the situation and is on stand-by to support government response through the clusters, should there be a need. The RC/HC wrote to the national government and BARMM authorities, expressing solidarity and offering the support of the HCT. The HCT Clusters are reaching out to their government counterparts for possible support. On 29 October 2022, a WASH Cluster meeting was convened by the Department of Health and UNICEF during which rapid assessment and initial response plans were formulated. Preliminary assessment results have since been shared mostly for affected provinces outside BARMM and Region XII, indicating minimal impact on WASH but with the possible contamination of water sources from the flooding. Through preparedness and rapid response programmes, such as REACH and the Humanitarian Partnership Platform Philippines (HPP), the distribution of WASH supplies (water containers, water disinfection materials, hygiene & dignity kits) has been initiated, mostly in Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

The Logistics cluster received a request by the government and WFP is transporting 43 trucks with more than 60,000 family food packs to Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. IOM, CCCM cluster lead, has prepositioned shelter tarps and is ready to support those in need. The Education Cluster lead by UNICEF and Save the Children is likewise working with the Department of Education on how to support learners once classes resume.

The OCHA Philippines together with the Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT) and BARMM government partners is conducting on 30-31 October, a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment in the most affected areas of BARMM. Based on the initial assessments results, food, clean water and hygiene kits are the most urgent needs by the flooded communities, however the response seems to be well within capacity of the regional government, with possible augmentation of national authorities if needed. MHT clusters were invited by the BARMM authorities to support with existing resources and capacities and have been integrated in activated BARMM clusters as co-leads participated by 30 organizations for the consolidation of needs assessment for effective response. (Source: UNOCHA, UNHCR)

PAGASA Press briefing, 29 Oct 2022