Sugar execs told: Act now vs effects of climate change

Thursday, August 18, 2011

“UNLESS we take action now, all our efforts on social development and reducing poverty, even our very own survival, will be all for nothing.”

Thus Presidential Assistant on Climate Change Elisea G. Guzon said Wednesday to the over 1,000 delegates during the official opening of the 58th Philsutech (Philippine Sugar Technologists, Inc.) Annual National Convention at Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City where she was the guest speaker.

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Guzon outlined the ill-effects of climate change and what can be done by an ordinary citizen to combat those threats.

First among climate change’s effects is the increase in temperature which results to more evaporation and consequently will bring on more rains.

“This will result to more flooding,” she said.

She cited studies which show that, in the next fifty years, the temperature in the country will rise by 2.5 degrees Celsius. Negros and northwestern Mindanao are projected to experience higher temperature in the coming decades.

“An increase of one degree Celsius in the temperature will reduce rice production by 15% and fish production by 40%,” she explained.

With the melting of glaciers in the earth’s poles, sea levels are also expected to rise, threatening vital infrastructure such as ports, airports and road networks which are built along the coastlines.

“If the present sea level rises by only one meter, the only operable airports left are those in Negros Occidental and in Iloilo which were constructed on elevated locations,” she pointed out.

Climate change also brings about more intense and longer weather disturbances, such as the La Nina and El Nino phenomena. The country has been ravaged by a long draught followed by a string of strong typhoons, said.

“Amidst these challenges, business as usual is not an option at all,” Guzon told the assembly and enumerated measures which ordinary citizens can do to arrest impending calamity.

“Reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she exhorted.

“Stop burning of agricultural wastes. Promote the use of organic fertilizer. Utilize effective eco-waste management.”

“Conserve energy. Put out unnecessary lights and appliances. Push for energy efficiency. Choose fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent bulbs. Go for alternative over fossil-fuel powered energy sources.”

She encouraged the delegates to conserve water. She also urged local government units to set up rainwater gathering devises to maximize utilization of resources.

“For the sugar industry, you need to research and come up with varieties which can survive long droughts and can also stand being submerged in water for long periods of time,” she addressed the assembly.

“You must also go into crop diversification to boost production,” she challenged the delegates whose employments and businesses are all reliant on sugarcane.

“The changes we make today will have a cumulative effect on our future. We have no choice. We have to adapt to this invasive environment to ensure our survival,” she emphasized. (Butch s. Bacaoco)