By Queenie Diane Malabanan
Members of the Haribon Foundation gathered to discuss about climate change and biodiversity effects in a membership learning activity entitled “1.5: A Learning Session for the Planet and the People” on January 26, 2019 at the Haribon Foundation office in Quezon City.
The session which centered on the impacts of climate change at 1.5 degrees Celsius was led by John Leo Algo, Science Policy Officer of the Climate Reality Network and also a Haribon member.
According to Algo, global warming will likely reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052 if greenhouse gas emissions maintain their current rate. This poses various threats to the environment and biodiversity with only less than 10% of coral reefs in Philippine waters remaining in excellent condition at that time.
Food security is also at stake for the country having experienced some of the deadliest tropical cyclones in the planet in just twelve years. To avoid greater impacts to human health, environment, and biodiversity, preventing the rising of global temperature to over 1.5 degrees thus becomes imperative.
Some of the ways to reduce global warming include establishing more renewable energy sources, rainforestation, and reducing emissions. Algo stressed that there is no single perfect solution to the warming of the planet, and as such, a collaboration of efforts from individuals and groups from all sectors is key in responding to this global problem.
Do you want to learn more about how to help the environment? Would you like to join different conservation activities with other individuals and groups? Join Haribon Membership! Contact membership@haribon.org.ph to register.
