Monday, September 15, 2008 Palace alarmed over 'flooded Manila' findings
MALACAÑANG on Sunday branded as "doomsday scenario" the findings of a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) expert that climate change and the melting of polar ice caps in the Arctic region can lead to the flooding of Manila and destruction of flora and fauna.
Nasa physicist Josefina Comiso said the country's sea levels could rise to 23 feet and could deplete fish stocks and many species of plant and animal life would die due to changes in ocean temperatures due to climate change.
Comiso said the country is among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. He issued the warning during a conference of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).
He said he is working on a project, to be funded by the Manila government weather station, to monitor the effects of global warming in the Philippines.
"Let's all start practicing how to swim," Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said in jest, adding that everyone should be more conscious about protecting the environment, not just government.
"These are very, very good warnings early on. But if Manila will really be underwater, I hope it doesn't happen yet, let that be in the movies for now. We should already make floaters," he said.
Dureza said the Philippines should preserve its marine resources especially since it is in the middle of the Coral Triangle, where tuna and fish caught in other countries spawn. The Philippines also is the center of biodiversity.
But he said the countries that benefit from the Coral Triangle should also support the preservation of marine resources. (JMR/Sunnex)
